TiVo Community Forums Archives - Monthly vs lifetime subs

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Monthly vs lifetime subs - new user
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Posted by: P63B

Hi everyone,

I am about to buy my first TiVo (on eBay). I was wondering what people thought about monthly versus lifetime subscriptions. I see from the discussions here that some people think TiVo's funding model means its future in the UK is uncertain. Do you think the service will still be around in 20 months' time (the point when lifetime sub becomes the better buy)? Will any cheaper, compatible alternatives be available then - such as the BBC EPG that Microsoft are using in the Windows XP Media Center?

At the moment I'm terrestrial only, though I may get a Freeview box in a few months. Unlikely to go for satellite or cable any time soon.

I know there aren't any hard and fast answers, but I'd be interested in what others would do if they were just starting out with a TiVo.

Posted by: hazydaze

The truth is that tivo is more likely to be around in 20 months if you buy a monthly sub--as it provides an ongoing reason to maintain uk service.

If I bought a replacement tivo now I would personally go monthly, and even if they are around in 20 months I would be glad, beacuse it is the best device you have ever bought and is worth 30 quid a month.

I have only the 5 basic channels, and got tivo instead of spending on sky, and by god it was the right choice. Like just about everyone on this forum I worship tivo. I cannot imagine tv without it.

Welcome to tivo land Whichever sub you get you will love it.

Hazy.

Posted by: yadda

I'm in the same boat P63B and think I'm going to go for monthly. May as well spread the cost and minimise the risk. Unless you get an absolute bargain TiVo with a lifetime subscription (saw one go for Ł270 a few weeks ago!) I think it's the way forward.

Posted by: 6022tivo

I would pitch for the monthly especially if the unit is a used ebay, if you like the service and the tivo is ok after a few months use, then go for the lifetime. Life time subbed units on ebay at the moment go for Ł200 more than unsubbed units anyway.

Also when buying the lifetime subbs, use a credit card, this method MAY have some comeback if TiVo stop the UK service..?

Posted by: AndyP

Maybe I'm just a tightwad gambler but I'd go lifetime - I'd hate to pay for a couple of months and then decide to go lifetime ! Also I don't like to commit myself to ongoing costs, when I can pay up front.

Posted by: iankb

Maybe I'm an optimist but, as I've said several times before, I don't think that TiVo would still be accepting lifetime subscriptions if they intended to withdraw the service at anytime soon. And if they did withdraw it soon, I think that they would be morally obliged to provide some sort of compensation.

However, this is purely my opinion, and is based upon continuance of the US operation and their need to keep their US users confident in their business practices.

Ian.

Posted by: yadda

Argh, stop now - you're beginning to talk me round to a lifetime subscription
:mad:

:cool:

Posted by: blindlemon

Once you've had your TiVo for a month you'll never want to lose it :up::up::up:

...so you might as well get a lifetime sub now and save yourself a tenner ;)

As to the possible longeivity (or not) of TiVo service, I agree with iankb - if TiVo weren't planning to continue the service in the UK they would have withdrawn the lifetime subs when Thomson stopped making the boxes.

Use a credit card though if you want a little extra peace of mind.... :)

Posted by: simon1

I have 2x Tivos, one 19 months, other 15 months. I've been paying Ł10 a month on each since.

Every now and then I've wondered whether to go go 'lifetime'. The way I look at it is this:

Tivo is a service, like having a telephone, internet connection or electric or gas.

Would I pay upfront for any of these?

Do I miss the Ł10 a month that leaves my bank account?

Most if not all people have debt, whether it be morgage, overdraft, bank loan or credit card. If you pay Ł200 lifetime sub to Tivo, thats taking Ł200 from somewhere else. So, in away, theres 'hidden' interest on that Ł200 - by not having it to reduce another debt. Do you see where I'm comming from.

As a guess, the Ł200 might have cost you Ł240. So you wouldn't break even until you'd had the Tivo for 24 months rather than 20. How many more months after two years will Tivo last? Who knows? 1 month - you've saved a tenner! 4 months - you've saved forty quid!

And as HAZYDAZE says: "The truth is that tivo is more likely to be around in 20 months if you buy a monthly sub--as it provides an ongoing reason to maintain uk service".

Unless you buy a Tivo which already has lifetime sub, then I'd stick to monthly.

Posted by: iankb

quote:
Originally posted by simon1
Unless you buy a Tivo which already has lifetime sub, then I'd stick to monthly.

TiVo would love you. Paying both monthly and lifetime for the same machine. :D

Ian.

Posted by: hazydaze

The debt thing was very well reasoned.

Damn--I thouught I had just broken even on my lifetime sub.

Alternatibely, however, many people live within a monthly budget, and in the month I paid my 200 quid I probabaly spent less on games/music and even food.
I did not buy extra expensive food the following month, so for the last 19 months I have had 10 extra for stuff each month.

It's tenuous, but in that sense going life was like a savings club, with a slow release of benefits over the last 2 years.

Let me be quite clear though, I would definately go monthly now.

I really hope tivo do return to selling boxes in the uk, but if there was no new machine in 2 years time I think they will be looking long and hard at whether the uk is still a viable revenue stream.

Posted by: GarethR

if there was no new machine in 2 years time I think they will be looking long and hard at whether the uk is still a viable revenue stream

In two years' time, I would hope that there would be a new PVR on the market that's better than our current TiVos... I'd prefer if it was running TiVo software, of course, but if it's not, I'll be sad but I won't cry...

Posted by: Chimby

I'm in the same boat P63B and think I'm going to go for monthly. May as well spread the cost and minimise the risk. Unless you get an absolute bargain TiVo with a lifetime subscription (saw one go for Ł270 a few weeks ago!) I think it's the way forward

***That was me on ebay ...270 + lifetime subscription***
it was 295...but hay its still a great price

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....item=3045802379

more than a few weeks now :)

and very happy with it to

Regards,

Chimby