Does DirecTV require a phone line connection?

Goto the Menu, Choose Setup Menu, Choose Channel Lists, Choose Auto Set, Pic a list, and it will scan for only subscribed channels. Unlike E* you can also remove channels in your list (IE: get rid of the Barker Channels).

As to the phone line connection. It depends if there are any sports packages or if the package subscribed to has sports channels that are subject to blackout.

Well, they are only subscribed to the basic Total Choice package. So, can I remove the phone lines? I'd like to do this, and then call and change their physical address to an address I use with Dish Network that qualifies for all the Kansas City locals. Then, just keep this address as their billing address. Possible? I know it is with Dish.

It is possible. The only thing is don't order PPV or sports programming using the remote. If they do, the receiver will try to call them in. After so many (I'm not sure how many) PPVs are stored, it won't allow them to order any more.

Not to sound coy, but check your owners manual for instructions to set up your user channel lists. You can set up a favorites list for each of your parents, and they can switch between the two.

As far as changing the address, you can go into the Directv website and change the billing and/or physical address. It is www.directv.com and go into sign in and follow the instructions on how to access their account.

Good luck.

DirecTV usually claims that they require a phone line connection for PPV, sports subscriptions, your local RSN (sports network), mulitple receivers in one household.

But many subscribers report that they do not keep their phone line plugged in and have not had problems.

Originally posted by Patrick G.
Well, they are only subscribed to the basic Total Choice package. So, can I remove the phone lines? I'd like to do this, and then call and change their physical address to an address I use with Dish Network that qualifies for all the Kansas City locals. Then, just keep this address as their billing address. Possible? I know it is with Dish.

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WHY are you going through all this with the phone lines JUST because you're changing the physical address??? Just call & change the physical addy & leave the phone lines AS IS! It makes NO difference to D*. I KNOW this because I've done this several times for friends (myself included) & it works just fine. Just tell them this is a "summer or winter" home & you want the phone# to stay the same on the account. Problem solved.

Well, the phone line is an issue because the phone jack is on the opposite wall of the living room that the TV is on. So, if they can get away without a phone line, I won't have them install an additional jack.

Oh, and I don't have a "Channel Lists" or "Auto Set" option in my Setup menu.

What kind of receiver is it? If it is one that is similar to one I have or have had, I'll walk you through it.

They are the little Samsung DirecTV SIR-S60W receivers. I cannot seem to figure out how to make the guide list only the subscription channels.

I haven't ever used a Samsung receiver, so I can't give exact guidance. You may not be able to have it automatically select just the subscribed channels. You may need to set up a user list and set the channels into that list. That is how I had to set up my Mitsubishi. In the Setup area of the menus, there should be a channel lists setup or something like that. My Mits. has four individual lists that can be set up and one that is all channels.

Good luck with your quest. You can also contact Samsung at the following numbers:

In the US, for technical support contact:
Customer Service and Technical Support
400 Valley Rd, Suite 201
Mount Arlington, NJ. 07856
Tel: 973-601-6000
Fax: 973-601-6001

They would be able to help more than I can.

I've got a Samsung.

Hit the Menu button.
Arrow over to Options.
Press the down arrow
Select Family by pressing the Right arrow.
Select Edit Channel List by pressing the Right arrow.
You can now Block or Unblock channels.

Right, but you still have to do it manually, unlike with Dish Network. That sucks! Thanks for the help though.

Directv needs the phoneline should you want to use the caller I.D. feature. The Hughes director and exectutive model both have this function. It never fails when your watching TV someone calls; with caller I.D. function you know instantly ! Yep, you must still subscribe to caller I.D. service through your phone company.