When hooking up the 722, does it matter if one connects it to ethernet vs. phone? I can do either easy enough. Is it just to 'phone home'?
Yes, and yes.
I keep mine plugged into both.
How long have you had your receiver ? I've no idea if they update their manuals but the ethernet connection has worked for what, a year now ?I notice in the product guides for the receivers all seem to indicate that the ethernet connection is for future use.
But only on the Vip dvr receivers.
I don't know of a non-ViP receiver that has an ethernet port, nor does the 411 have one.