TiVo Community Forums Archives - need some advice

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need some advice - new to tivo
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Posted by: robo456

Hey all... I'm totally new to tivo... I've been watching eBay and there's all sorts of ranges of tivo's on there... can anyone suggest a good base model starting point to get into this? I have my own hard drives to use and all that for future testing; but I didn't want to blow my cash on something that wasn't worth it... thanks for ANY info!!!

--rob

Posted by: sguthrie

If you're planning on upgrading the hard drive space yourself (especially if you're planning adding two new drives), I'd just look for an old 14 hour model (should be the cheapest), and commence to upgrading.

If you are going to just add one drive and want a bit of extra space, then you can get a 30 hour model, but make sure it's the single rather than dual drive (otherwise you're right back where you started with the 14 hour unit).

That's assuming you're talking about a standalone. I don't know much about the D-TiVo models.

Posted by: Cspot

quote:
Originally posted by robo456
Hey all... I'm totally new to tivo... I've been watching eBay and there's all sorts of ranges of tivo's on there... can anyone suggest a good base model starting point to get into this? I have my own hard drives to use and all that for future testing; but I didn't want to blow my cash on something that wasn't worth it... thanks for ANY info!!!

--rob

Find the cheapest deal.....w/lifetime sub if possibile. Upgrading is a snap!

Posted by: robo456

holy cow... thanks for the fast response! Yeah, that was one thing I was curious about... the subscription isn't transferrable to a new tivo right?

also, anyone use those TivoNET adapters? That sounds like something i'd be into as well... thanks again for the rapid response! I'll be keeping my eyes open!

--rob

Posted by: Cspot

quote:
Originally posted by robo456
holy cow... thanks for the fast response! Yeah, that was one thing I was curious about... the subscription isn't transferrable to a new tivo right?

also, anyone use those TivoNET adapters? That sounds like something i'd be into as well... thanks again for the rapid response! I'll be keeping my eyes open!

--rob

Using TurboNet here......100mb (for what it's worth) but either package is suitable. TurboNet is an all encompassing solution vs TivoNet.

Posted by: robo456

are there any models that cannot use turbonet? that's the kind of stuff I'm worried about blowing the deal on... they don't tell you much on ebay :)

thanks!

--rob

Posted by: sguthrie

I don't know anything about Turbonet. You can get that from 9thTee.com, right? I'd check with them about compatibility.

Posted by: falz

I've always been wary of 'lifetime subscription' models on ebay. No, you cannot transfer the subscription so it will be in the other owners name. What if they decide to call tivo and disable it? You would be 100% SOL.

Also, you didnt mention if you have DirecTV or not. If so, people seem to be happier with DirecTiVo models.

To find out more info on tivonet/turbonet, go to http://www.9thtee.com. They have info on installing them in the 'original' tivo (sony or philips), DirecTivo, and probably something about Tivo Series 2.

Posted by: robo456

From TiVO's FAQ file:

Please be aware that a Lifetime Service Subscription is tied to the serial number of the Recorder, not to your name -- in other words it is the lifetime of this specific Recorder, not your lifetime. If you choose to sell or give this recorder to someone else, the subscription will remain with this Recorder. The lifetime subscription can’t be transferred to another Recorder of a different make, model, or manufacturer -- each Recorder purchased requires its own subscription. However – Don’t worry! If you repair or replace this Recorder through the manufacturer or a factory-authorized program, or if you upgrade the storage capacity of this Recorder through a TiVo authorized program, the lifetime subscription will still be active.

Posted by: feldon23

If you plan to upgrade the hard drive,

1. Get a 14 hour TiVo (Philips, Sony, doesn't matter) off eBay withOUT a lifetime subscription.

2. Upgrade the hard drive ($100 will bump you to ~105 hours).

3. Add TurboNet (a TiVo-specific Ethernet card all-in-one solution for $65 {TiVoNet ends up costing $120 all-told})

and then either pay the monthly fee of $13 or get a lifetime subscription.

and never have to mess with a phone line again, plus you can control the TiVo from your PC.

I would not get a TiVo with lifetime off eBay because we're already getting horror stories of unscrupulous characters who have swapped motherboards and other things and then if something goes wrong, you have no recourse.

You don't have or aren't considering going DirecTV satellite are you? If so, get a DirecTV with TiVo integrated unit. Frickin awesome. I have two and would never go back to cable/dish & standalone TiVo.

Posted by: robo456

well I'm stuck with cable for now because of the cable modem... I know, I'm coming from satellite back at the folks house, but money's tight for a little while :(... ok, so it looks like it's $200 for a new in box tivo... wish I was around a year ago for those $79 ones at walmart! DOH!

--rob

Posted by: sguthrie

Look for a refurb unit. I got mine over a year ago from www.avoutfitters.com. I don't know if they still sell them or not, but they had GREAT customer service.

Someone else here recomended hitting the outlet malls looking for a Sony store that had a refurbished unit.

Lastly, get one from eBay and just make sure you pay with a credit card. Even through Paypal, the credit card company can protect you from fraud (as I know from experience, and I can't stand Paypal as a result).