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We live in a wireless world, right?

Just about everyone has a cellular phone. Internet access is available via wireless wi-fi connections. Many of us travel around communicating with our wireless Blackberry's and Palm Pilot's. We even have a wireless device connected to our A/C at home, which allows Southern California Edison to shut the A/C off, in times of high usage, for a reduced rate. Credit card transactions are conducted wirelessly.

There are wireless speakers for your stereo, and you can control most home electronics from just about anywhere wirelessly.

We live in a wireless world. Wires are a thing of the past. Especially the phone line. Right? Well not so fast.

If we live in a wireless world, why does DirecTV require I have a phone line connected to my TiVo box, in order for me to get my TiVo connected? And this from a company that sends TV signals wirelessly to homes.

Even TiVo users, without DirecTV, can hook up wirelessly using a USB adapter to their boxes instead of hooking it to a land line, but DirecTV has disabled the USB ports on the receiver.

I don't understand it. I don't like wires. We disconnected our land line telephone service 3 years ago, and went strictly cellular. We get free long distance anywhere in the US, plenty of free minutes for making calls, not to mention the convenience of having a phone anytime, anywhere you need it. Even on the golf course! :) I don't see the point of a land line any more.

So why do I need a phone line to hook up my TiVo? Someone tell me, please!

Comments

Becky said…
It sounds like a conspiracy to me. Perhaps it's the only way Dubya can keep tabs on you. Or for billing purposes?
Becky said…
A phone line is not needed if you have software version 7.2 or later installed on your DVR. Your DVR can connect to the TiVo Service via your home network.
Becky said…
Disregard rant number 2, but check out pvrblog.com if you haven't alrady
Marc said…
TiVo isn't the problem it's DirecTV. Everything I have read indicates that DirecTV disables the USB ports, so it doesn't matter software you can't hook it up.

I did get it working, by taking the unit to a friends house and installing it there.

I have an update for the blog tomorrow.

Stay tuned!
Becky said…
I can't wait for another exciting episode.

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