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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!
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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?
1:39 PM
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.
2:01 PM
Becky said…
Disregard rant number 2, but check out pvrblog.com if you haven't alrady
2:07 PM
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!
2:30 PM
Becky said…
I can't wait for another exciting episode.
2:37 PM
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