Successful Phone Call Verification

[marty45714]

Again, I have been spoiled by the TIVO, but I want to make sure this feature isn't available and I am just missing it somewhere. Is there a way to see that last time the HR20 successfully or unsuccessfully made a phone call for data?

[veryoldschool]

Again, I have been spoiled by the TIVO, but I want to make sure this feature isn't available and I am just missing it somewhere. Is there a way to see that last time the HR20 successfully or unsuccessfully made a phone call for data?
It doesn't call home. It would only do this for PPV

[marty45714]

I see, and I thought I was an expert on this thing. I just assumed it did the same thing the TIVO did. I was also under the impression that they were collecting data for their interactive channels from our phone connections. Isn't this true? You know, the channel that shows the currently most viewed shows?

It doesn't call home. It would only do this for PPV

[Spanky_Partain]

It is not done through the phone line. The phone line is only for PPV shows, when on the phone with the CSR, and location verification may also be a task.

[opelap]

It also does a "Viewing Habits" call if you do not opt out of it on Directv's website in your account.

[marty45714]

Alright, 3 different posters and 3 different opinions. Can someone authoritatively say when this thing does and does not call home?

It also does a "Viewing Habits" call if you do not opt out of it on Directv's website in your account.

[veryoldschool]

Alright, 3 different posters and 3 different opinions. Can someone authoritatively say when this thing does and does not call home?
OK let me put it this way: It doesn't need to call home except for PPV. FACT.

[marty45714]

That wasn't the question. When DOES it call home? How often?

OK let me put it this way: It doesn't need to call home except for PPV. FACT.

[veryoldschool]

That wasn't the question. When DOES it call home? How often?
Since I don't think anybody can monitor the phone line like you can your network traffic, nobody would knows.
This isn't like other receivers that "require" it to call home.
What is your REAL question?

[Tom Robertson]

It calls "when if feels like it" may be the best answer we'll have right now. Like the DirecTivo's there could be several reasons for calling home, and they call on their own schedule.

The access card can call home to record your PPVs.
The Tivo's would call for data updates and sending usage date.

Does the HR20 have yet another reason to call? And is it just one call or two, like the Tivos?

Cheers,
Tom

[macEarl]

Actually, I know when it's calling - sometimes.

I use power line modems and they have a nice, annoying flickering LED that gives the wall behind the TV a nice Morse-code orange glow. When ordering PPV by remote, I often - but not always - see the HR20 dial out during that brief delay you'll find in the Buy Now - Yes confirm - OK sequence. My DTivo10-250 also called out when it was updating the showcase thingie (been too long) as far as I recall.

I'm usually up most of the night with the TV on (either to watch or for company when I'm working). I haven't noticed any spurious dialouts in the dark of night, and I'd expect that even though this is anecdotal info, I'd have noticed by now if it did.

BTW, if anyone cares, power line modems are pretty lousy, but they're way aok for D* - it's low baudrate and low traffic levels. (edit - no caller id with power line modems, tho, but this is a feature - don't answer the phone when watching tv - tv is more important)

[Teronzhul]

Since I don't think anybody can monitor the phone line like you can your network traffic, nobody would knows.
This isn't like other receivers that "require" it to call home.
What is your REAL question?

I believe you can monitor it if you use vonage or something equivalent. I recall some poster saying something about that, of course it may have been on a different forum.

[Cyrus]

OK let me put it this way: It doesn't need to call home except for PPV. FACT.

I haven't connected my hr20 to a phone line so it definitely doesn't need to be connected. But I was under the impression that we are supposed to connect all D* boxes to phone lines since that's the only way they can tell that the equipment is in the correct residence .

[djstough]

I believe you can monitor it if you use vonage or something equivalent. I recall some poster saying something about that, of course it may have been on a different forum.

With Vonage, you can definitely see the activity on your line. Unfortunately, I have two TIVO's, two HR20's, and an R15, so I can't tell who is calling when!

[opelap]

From D* website account profile info.

Viewing Data Collection
DIRECTV collects anonymous information about viewing choices from all customers unless they request that we block their receivers. You may change your viewing data collection preference below. Please allow two weeks for the change to take effect.

Anonymous Data Collection
Your receivers collect information about viewing habits, but the information is not tied to your account.

Allow Data Collection
Your receivers collect personally identifiable information about viewing habits.

Do Not Allow Data Collection
Your receivers do not collect information about viewing habits

It defaults to Allow Data Collection.

Only way to do this is to have the reciever call in. It does not NEED to for functions, but will unless D* blocks your reciever.