You can definintely have a DVR with DirecTV without a landline, you just need to hook it up one time to a landline somewhere for inital setup. That's what I did since my house didn't have a landline for 6 months when I first moved in due to a lack of lines in my new neighborhood. I still only hook it to a landline once every couple months and even then it's not necessary, it just stops nag messages about not being able to call in for xx days. So, if you prefer the DTV packages over Dish it's not a problem with no landline.
Scott
