Refresh my memory please

[wingrider01]

Getting ready to gut and remodel the family room, running all new cat 6 for voice and data. Cannot remember if the HR2X series still requires a analog phone line to be connected to it at all times.

Can somebody please confirm that my failing memory is correct and this is no longer required?

[doctrsnoop]

No longer required

[Mertzen]

None of the current boxes need a phone line. Internet can be used for PPV purchases.

[RAD]

But if you use landline phones and have caller ID IMHO it's nice to have the caller ID info show up on the TV.

[carl6]

Not required, but recommended. If you do not network your DirecTV receiver then it needs phone line for PPV ordering. As noted, if you connect a phone line you get on-screen caller ID (assuming you subscribe to caller ID).

[RobertE]

Required for operation? Not really. Some features, caller ID, PPV via remote, STB health reporting and some sports packages may require one*.

It is required per your customer agreement though and is almost always never mentioned when these questions get asked.

*Note: I have yet to see any actually restrictions implemented on sports packages due to a lack of a phone line. Doesn't mean that they won't be though.

[wingrider01]

Thanks, going to be interesting though - I just signed a deal to put in AT&T Uverse for internet and phone. Supposedly the phone service works the same as a normal POT's line. Will pull an extra wire for an additional phone jack just to play it safe have 2 spots left on the face plates that will be behind the TV

[carl6]

Supposedly the phone service works the same as a normal POT's line.

Yes and no. If your cable goes down, your phone is down. If your power goes out, your phone is out. Depending on many factors, the VOIP line may or may not work with analog modems (such as the phone connection in a DirecTV receiver, or fax machine, or alarm system, etc.). My personal experience is that VOIP is getting better, but it is still no match for POTS.

[RAD]

I'm using TWC's digital phone service and have no problems with any of my analog devices using it.

[wingrider01]

Yes and no. If your cable goes down, your phone is down. If your power goes out, your phone is out. Depending on many factors, the VOIP line may or may not work with analog modems (such as the phone connection in a DirecTV receiver, or fax machine, or alarm system, etc.). My personal experience is that VOIP is getting better, but it is still no match for POTS.

Chances of total loss of power slim, whole house genset natural gas run with backup diesel power(both power methods tested weekly). All routers have APC 1500 UPS's on them. Already spoke to the alarm company, they have no problems with the UVerse telephone service, seriously considering keeping a low end cable or ISDN connection fall over capabilties, my firewall has the capabilties already, just have to make some changes to the IOS code

[RAD]

Already spoke to the alarm company, they have no problems with the UVerse telephone service...

My alarm system also works when I switched to TWC digital phone. The only issue that my system has is it monitors the line and if it sees that it has dropped (like a burglar pulled the line at the NID) it sounds a trouble alarm. Since cable companies tend to mess with the network in the middle of the night we have been woken up when the cable goes down. Don't know if UVerse will be doing similar things with their sevice, just wanted to mention it.

[mobandit]

I'm using TWC's digital phone service and have no problems with any of my analog devices using it.

Same thing here at my work. We have it connected to our alarm system with ZERO issues. On the Digital Phone Business plan the phone modem has a built in battery backup. Since it is also connected to a UPS, we figure the phone system will be up and running for several hours, at least, if power goes out.