[indycolts2k6]

Hey guys, I know this topic has been discussed previously to some extent, just couldn't find an answer to my issue specifically. I have just installed Vonage, I've got standalone DSL with Bellsouth and I'm trying to figure out how to get my DVR's to dial out. I know it's not completely necessary, I'm just kindof anal when it comes to having everything setup and working correctly, otherwise it drives me crazy :grin:

Just curious if anyone had found a way to make this work. I was wondering if a wireless phone/modem jack would work? Standalone DSL still needs a phone signal, so totally rewiring the house isn't really an option... at least one I wish to pursue. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Indy.

 

[Milkman]

If you have HD DVR's they DO NOT have to dial out, and instead can use the internet for dial-out functionality.

 

[spartanstew]

If you have HD DVR's they DO NOT have to dial out, and instead can use the internet for dial-out functionality.

He's aware.

I know it's not completely necessary,

 

[evan_s]

Hey guys, I know this topic has been discussed previously to some extent, just couldn't find an answer to my issue specifically. I have just installed Vonage, I've got standalone DSL with Bellsouth and I'm trying to figure out how to get my DVR's to dial out. I know it's not completely necessary, I'm just kindof anal when it comes to having everything setup and working correctly, otherwise it drives me crazy :grin:

Just curious if anyone had found a way to make this work. I was wondering if a wireless phone/modem jack would work? Standalone DSL still needs a phone signal, so totally rewiring the house isn't really an option... at least one I wish to pursue. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Indy.

You might be able to get it working with wireless or powerline deals that give you a phone jack somewhere you don't have one but it might also be problematic.

Assuming your house is wired like most it should be possible to get the vonage and dsl separated with out totally rewiring your house. The vonage phone service and dsl service only require a single pair of wires to work. At the very least you should have 2 pair phone wiring to each jack. Often times you even have 4 pair cat 5 wiring for the phone connection in newer homes. You should be able to put the incoming dsl signal on one pair while running the normal phone service off another pair.

 

[mhayes70]

If you have your Vonage modem close to your DVR you can use a phone splitter and run a phone line from your Vonage modem to your DVR.

Another option is to use your existing phone wiring. You can run a phone line from your Vonage modem to your existing home phone jack. That then energizes all your phone lines in the house with the Vonage phone. BUT, before you do this. You need to make sure that the inside phone wiring is disconnected from the line coming in from your local phone company. You can do this at the grey box outside your house and disconnect it there. Also, make sure you keep the phone jack that you have your DSL on is still connected to the outside line from your local phone company.

 

[Matt9876]

Something I live with every day.


Vonage will supply good caller ID to your Hxx or HRxx unit. even with the highest bandwidth on Vonage the modem data connection is poor and most times will fail.

This bad data causes a couple of reboots per week.

The HRxx units top data port connected to the internet is best.

 

[indycolts2k6]

Something I live with every day.

Vonage will supply good caller ID to your Hxx or HRxx unit. even with the highest bandwidth on Vonage the modem data connection is poor and most times will fail.

This bad data causes a couple of reboots per week.

The HRxx units top data port connected to the internet is best.

Yeah, I've got my HD DVR (HR21 I think) connected via Ethernet to my network... is that what you're saying? So at least for that one, there really is no point in having it connected via phone line of any sort?

If so, that's fine. I don't really care about the other DVR in the house. Thanks all for your feedback and advice... much appreciated!

 

[mhayes70]

Yeah, I've got my HD DVR (HR21 I think) connected via Ethernet to my network... is that what you're saying? So at least for that one, there really is no point in having it connected via phone line of any sort?

If so, that's fine. I don't really care about the other DVR in the house. Thanks all for your feedback and advice... much appreciated!

The only really purpose for having the phone line connected is for caller id.

 

[spartanstew]

If you have your Vonage modem close to your DVR you can use a phone splitter and run a phone line from your Vonage modem to your DVR.

Another option is to use your existing phone wiring. You can run a phone line from your Vonage modem to your existing home phone jack. That then energizes all your phone lines in the house with the Vonage phone. BUT, before you do this. You need to make sure that the inside phone wiring is disconnected from the line coming in from your local phone company. You can do this at the grey box outside your house and disconnect it there. Also, make sure you keep the phone jack that you have your DSL on is still connected to the outside line from your local phone company.

That's what I tried with my FIOS, but there's no phone line at the grey box on the outside of my house.

 

[mhayes70]

That's what I tried with my FIOS, but there's no phone line at the grey box on the outside of my house.

Well, FIOS is Fiber Optic correct? So, then you don't have a standard copper line running to your house from the phone company? If so, then no you don't have a grey box outside your house.

But, I don't know much about FIOS. We don't have that in my area.

 

[spartanstew]

Yes, it's FO, but I had standard phone first. the grey box that was there was replaced with a bigger grey box.


It's very confusing and I've just given up on Caller ID on my TV's.

 

[Kansas Zephyr]

Vonage will supply good caller ID to your Hxx or HRxx unit. even with the highest bandwidth on Vonage the modem data connection is poor and most times will fail.

This bad data causes a couple of reboots per week.

The HRxx units top data port connected to the internet is best.

I had modem connect isssues until I upgraded the router.

Since then, I've had 100% connect success with Vonage. So, it may not be VoIP, but the quality of the router.

I had a Linksys wireless G router w/Vonage "built-in". I turned off the DHCP, and then connected it's WAN port to one of the LAN ports on the new router, making it a VoIP only device. Since, I upgraded to the D-Link wireless N w/gigabit router, even the voice calls sound better.

 

[mhayes70]

Yes, it's FO, but I had standard phone first. the grey box that was there was replaced with a bigger grey box.

It's very confusing and I've just given up on Caller ID on my TV's.

I am not sure on FIOS. So, hopfully someone that has it or knows about it can help you on getting Caller ID working if it can with FIOS.

Sorry I'm no help on that.

 

[evan_s]

FIOS should have a box someplace that takes the FOIS input and handles converting to all the different things needed including phone. This box should be connected into your normal phone wiring in the house someplace. This does need power and usually has a battery back up so it may not be outside at the normal box. My bothers was located in a closet in his apartment and my folks is in there garage.

 

[spartanstew]

FIOS should have a box someplace that takes the FOIS input and handles converting to all the different things needed including phone. This box should be connected into your normal phone wiring in the house someplace. This does need power and usually has a battery back up so it may not be outside at the normal box. My bothers was located in a closet in his apartment and my folks is in there garage.

Yes, I've found that box, but when I open it there's no phone line in there to unplug.