How to set the dialing prefix on DirecTV HD DVR HR20 HR21

[thively]

Hey folks,

After my port completed and my AT&T POTS line went dead, I transitioned my house phone wiring to run off the hub's phone jack. So everything goes through the hub (not using scouts.)

As a result, all of my DirecTV DVRs (4 of them) now start dialing out through Ooma (they were dialing out through POTS before.)

In the outgoing call logs I noticed repeated attempts to dial the same 800 number which is answered by a modem. I put 2+2 together and figured out my DirecTV boxes are trying to connect to the modem and probably failing. So they just keep trying over and over again.

DirecTV says you don't need to connect these to the phone. You can order Pay Per View through the web or phone calls instead. However, I'd rather be able to do that through the receiver. Not to mention I want to use the on screen caller ID without the box dialing DirecTV ever hour and failing.

I figured if I could add *99, to the dialing prefix it would likely help just as it does for Faxes. But the HD-DVR HR20 and HR21 do not have a phone settings menu.

After much searching, I found out how to access the hidden menu for dialing properties. Even DirecTV customer service doesn't seem to know this.

On the front of the receiver, press the "RIGHT ARROW" and "ACTION" at the same time (not on the remote, do this on the front panel of the DVR.)
This brings up a hidden phone settings menu where you can enter: *99,
as a dialing prefix.

As soon as I did this, the DVRs stopped re-trying their calls every hour. So it appears to have worked.

I hadn't seen this information posted anywhere here yet. If it has, I missed it. It took me a while to find the answer so I wanted to post on here and share.

[bc3tech]

this should be a sticky.

Also i'm sure users have figured it out but, on the HR22 at least, it's Right Arrow + ACTIVE
There is no "ACTION" button. Not sure if there is on the 20/21.

[tegelad]

Wow ... this is an awesome tip! .... You must be a DBS talker

Thanks for the advice!

+-ADT

[nn5i]

After much searching, I found out how to access the hidden menu for dialing properties. Even DirecTV customer service doesn't seem to know this.

Gosh, just like Ooma customer service!

[delboy]

Just tried this and it seems to work!! The modem test on the phone setup screen showed "OK"
And the system test showed no phone error like it had been doing.
Now to wait for tomorrow's call to see if it goes through.
And then order something PPV as a final check!!!

[EricJRW]

Nice tip. Thanks.