Tivo settop box

[Doug E]

I want to upgrade to a Tivo Directv box.  I will be using it in Southern California as well as in Puerto Vallarta Mexico at various times of the year.  Does the Tivo unit receive its epg via phone line or sat download.  Is a phone connection absolutely necessary?  A phone connection would not be viable for its use while in Mexico. 

[Karl Foster]

I believe the DTivo requires a phone call every couple of weeks or so. It does receive EPG via satellite, but will lock up when it can't "call home."

You might want to consider Ultimatetv. It does not require a call home to function. While it might cost a little more each month, it could eliminate headaches for you down the road. We travel with our UTV units all the time and watch what is recorded on the hard drive. I'm sure you could also hook it up to a dish and receive programming that way, and no phone is necessary to do that (despite what D* says). Just don't order PPV's and it would work perfect for you. American satellite still has new UTV's for sale, or you can buy from a couple of forum members that have used ones for sale in the "Buy, Sell, Trade" area of the forum.

[Doug E]

Sounds like that may be the thing for me to do. I must admit that I have no knowledge of Ultimatetv, but I am sure I can research it. By the sound of your reply, am I to assume that production of these units has ceased? Many thanks.

[Karl Foster]

Yes, unfortunately RCA and Sony stopped production about a year ago, but new ones are still floating around. You can check their website at www.ultimatetv.com

[TerryC]

It depends on how long you'll be in Mexico. I've heard of people who've had DTivo's go two or three months without phoning in that had no problem.

(Did you get my PM Doug? My reply to your e-mail was bounced back to me by your server.)

[spanishannouncetable]

DirecTiVos with current software 3.x no longer require the phone connection except for ordering PPV with the remote.

After a couple of weeks you start getting nag screens but the unit will otherwise continue to function normally. It will not lock up as it did with earlier software versions (1.x & 2.x)