Registered: Jan 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2

AT&T model for non-AT&T customers?

I've been unable to determine from all the postings if the AT&T model can be used by non-AT&T customers. I have cable through Time Warner and want a SA box. I'd rather get a series 2 model with 40 hours of capacity than a 30 hour Sony since they are both going for $299 (Sony is after rebate).

TiVo's website makes it appear that the offer is only for AT&T Broadband customers, but I've read posts indicating non-AT&T users have purchased the box. Can anyone clear this up for me?

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 2

Yes, it works for anybody. I received mine Monday, and have had no problems, even though AT&T Broadband is not available within many hundreds of miles from where I live. There is a page in the manual which gives some tips for AT&T Broadband cable customers regarding pay-per-view, but other than that, everything is "general" and could apply to any TiVo box out there.

They do charge both shipping and sales tax, even though it was an out-of-state order for me, so be prepared for about $50 more than the $299 they advertise. Despite wondering whether they really did send the $24 to my city, county, and state, I am extremely pleased with my purchase.

JBW

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2

Excellent! Thanks for the feedback. The extra $ for shipping is a small price to pay for the extra 10 hours of recording time.

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location:
Posts: 2

When you order the AT&T box from TiVo, they check your address and, according to what the agent told me, you'll only get the special AT&T $299 price if you are an AT&T cable subscriber at that address.

But the box you get can work with any cable or satellite system.

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 5

quote:

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When you order the AT&T box from TiVo, they check your address ...

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 2

I certainly would have said if they had charged me more than the advertised $299 plus shipping and tax ($348 total for me). Like I said, I have no chance at AT&T Broadband around here. I do use AT&T for long distance, though. On the other hand, I was suprised that the box did not have an invoice enclosed. I guess I'll know for sure when the credit card bill comes in, but my printed receipt from the web site clearly shows how much they are supposed to bill me. And with that, I'm not worried in the least.

I don't understand why they say it is exclusive to AT&T customers, but then sell it to whoever wants it. Tricky marketing, I suspect. If you ask, they surely have to state the party line, though, which is surely why skycbs got that story. But it is good to know that they do "officially" offer it to people outside of AT&T Broadband, even if "officially" the price is supposed to be higher.

JBW

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Naperville, Il
Posts: 0

They are probably trying to control distribution a little while they ramp up production.

I got mine for $299 and I don't have AT&T cable.

Do you think they'll send me a new sticker that says "Comcast" now?

-Honko

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Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 8

quote:

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Originally posted by dkonarska


Not true. I ordered one and I know I can't get ATTBB at my location, they don't service my area. Got my TiVo Friday and already can not live without. Other than the ATT logo there is no diff.

And since I'm here, can anyone tell me what TivoMatic is?

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Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Wichita, KS USA
Posts: 1170

quote:

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Originally posted by JBW
I don't understand why they say it is exclusive to AT&T customers, but then sell it to whoever wants it. Tricky marketing, I suspect. If you ask, they surely have to state the party line, though, which is surely why skycbs got that story. But it is good to know that they do "officially" offer it to people outside of AT&T Broadband, even if "officially" the price is supposed to be higher.

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2

From all of the positive feedback I decided to get the AT&T TiVo. I ordered it online last night and have a printed receipt for $348 (w/shipping and tax) so I'm not worried about the pricing. I just can't wait to join the club!

Our daughter is due to be born any day now and TiVo will preserve our sanity when it comes to our new erratic and hectic schedule!

Thanks all!

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Palatine, IL
Posts: 0

quote:

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Originally posted by UncleMilt
Our daughter is due to be born any day now and TiVo will preserve our sanity when it comes to our new erratic and hectic schedule!

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Congratulations and good thing you're getting a Tivo...you won't have an evening out for a couple years . At least, that's how it went for us, but we didn't have nearby family available for babysitting!

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 2

Plus, you can be sure that without TiVo, there would be nothing to watch during one of those 3:00 AM feedings.

JBW

(my kids are 2 and 6)

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2

Yeah, that's what I've been told. Everyone we know with TiVo and kids sings the praises of TiVo. It's a "must have" they all say.

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Newburyport, MA
Posts: 390

Ok, so I have my AT&TiVO on the way and I am psyched, but is it possible that in the future AT&T broadband could have TiVO send special software to those boxes so that they would only work with AT&Tbroadband?

I really don't see this as a possibility, but I am curoius nonetheless.

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 2

I asked the same question before buying mine, and the responses here convinced me that although technically possible, it is extremely unlikely for several reasons. The fact is that AT&T is hands-off after having the hardware made, and therefore all future updates will be directly from TiVo. So, for such a problem to arise, it would have to be TiVo causing it. Given the fact that TiVo monitors this forum, and has not discouraged the purchase of the AT&T by non-AT&T Broadband customers, I feel confident that the risk is nonexistent.

This was also the reason I said earlier in this thread that "it is good to know that they do 'officially' offer it to people outside of AT&T Broadband" in response to skycbs's answer from TiVo. If they are officially selling the box to non-AT&T customers, then they really cannot ever make the hardware work only for AT&T Broadband connections.

JBW

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