The definition of "in person" is a bit strange, any person with passport and signed documents is considered as "in person", so you don't need to do it yourself.
The fact that it is seen as a requirement for an extension, suggests that it is a requirement during the whole validity period of the visa, and that also souns logical. The fact that it normally will not be checked again upon (re)entry does not change this.
From then onwards to the next stay it indeed can be done online. The first one of the next stay has to be done in person again, so practically for DTV all have to be done in person, except when you use an in country extension, or do the first one to soon, so your second one will be before 180 days.