TiVo Community Forums Archives - From bad to worse -- where to buy Dtivo w/o subscription?

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From bad to worse -- where to buy Dtivo w/o subscription?
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Posted by: dstrout

Well, my poor DTivo has gone from bad to worse. Last night I installed a turbonet card (to try and replace my dead modem) and reflashed it per the instructions. Then I tried to follow the rest of the install scenario, and the nic_install wouldn't install. So, I put the drive back in the tivo & put it all back together to watch some TV.

Now, I'm getting random reboots. :-( It happens every time you hit the tivo button, and at other times at random. Very sad. I'm going to pull the turbonet card back out, but I somehow doubt that's going to help -- I think I'm just hosed.

So, does anybody have any ideas on where to buy a new dtivo without having to sign up for DTV service? Any ideas of cost? Given that DirecTV receivers are about $59, I'm not sure if I'm willing to go back into the Tivo waters again, but I'd at least like to check it out....

thanks,
dave.

Posted by: dstrout

Removing the turbonet card didn't help. I think I'm just toast. Very depressing. :-(

Anybody want to buy a turbonet card or sick DTivo?

dave.

Posted by: steuert

DTiVos will not operate in any way, shape, or form w/o a DTV subscription. If what you are asking refers to the requirement that you keep your DTV service active for a year after adding new equipment, this is almost universal as the equipment is subsidized by DTV and they want some way to recoup their money.

You have evidently had enough experience to know whether you like DTiVo-Style TV enough to justify the added cost - the DTiVo unit+$5/mo.+ a year of DTV for $32/mo. or thereabouts. Most people think it's well worth it. Also, I believe you have to make a DTV programming commitment even to buy a plain receiver, so that may not be an issue, if you want to have DTV at all.

Posted by: dstrout

Ummm... I'm not sure I've explained the situation very well. I have a DTivo, with a DirecTV subscription, including Tivo. My modem dies a couple months back, so I have been unable to complete a daily call. Thus, after 30 days, I can't "tivo" anymore.

I finally got around to buying a turbonet card, in the hopes that I would be able to make my daily call over broadband, and thus get tivo functionality back. Instead, the re-flash ( step 6 of the install), seems to have badly messed up my machine. Whereas before, I was able to use it as a basic direct tv receiver, now it crashes randomly and badly.

I was hoping somebody had some info on how to un-reflash my tive, so that it at least would work as a directv receiver again.

thanks,
dave.

Posted by: dstrout

Oh, just re-read, and I think I understand the mis-communication. What I'm looking for is a _replacement_ tivo to replace the now-useless one. I understand it may cost more than one which comes in a one-year package deal. If you're telling me that I can't get a replacement tivo, then I'm hosed & out of the tivo world....

thanks,
dave.

Posted by: steuert

There are several possibilities: (1) You can send the broken unit to the manufacturer for replacement. Assuming it is more than a year old and thus out of warranty, this should cost about $150. Experience varies, but in general this seems to take up to several weeks unless you can talk the factory into cross-shipping; i.e., sending you a replacement before they have received the broken box. (2) The Series 2 DTiVos should arrive any day now, and will cost under $200 for existing subscribers, quite a bit less than was being charged only a few weeks ago. (I believe CC is currently accepting pre-orders for the new units). You also may have to commit to another full year of DTV programming, but that shouldn't be much of a problem if you like the service and would probably keep it anyway. (3) I understand DTV is selling some Sony T60's directly to existing subscribers for $200 or so - might be worth giving them a call.

There are also some independent outfits that might repair your modem cheaper and faster than the factory - I believe "weaknees" and "electric legs" are a couple with pretty good reputations.

Afraid I can't suggest how to get your broken unit to work as a plain DTV receiver again. You will probably have to get by for at least a while w/o DTV, or perhaps buy a plain receiver somewhere for $50-$60 and keep it as a backup after your DTiVo is fixed.