Registered: Feb 2004
Location:
Posts: 1

I got a Series 2 40hr tivo for christmas and removed the wimpy 40gig hard drive and replaced it with a 120gig hard drive. I've got about 140 hours on my tivo, and I absolutely love it! The real question is... should I buy the 299.00 product lifetime service thing? In the next 2 years, will I still be able to use this Tivo, or isn't the government making everything go to HDTV?? Will my Tivo still be able to work in 2006 when this HDTV switch is made or will I have to buy a new Tivo?

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Registered: Jan 2004
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Posts: 21

quote:

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Originally posted by chase_hyland
I got a Series 2 40hr tivo for christmas and removed the wimpy 40gig hard drive and replaced it with a 120gig hard drive. I've got about 140 hours on my tivo, and I absolutely love it! The real question is... should I buy the 299.00 product lifetime service thing? In the next 2 years, will I still be able to use this Tivo, or isn't the government making everything go to HDTV?? Will my Tivo still be able to work in 2006 when this HDTV switch is made or will I have to buy a new Tivo?

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Registered: Jan 2004
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Posts: 4075

HD can be down converted

It depend on whether you will upgrade later.

It is worth it when you will keep this box for more than 23 months.

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Owings Mills, MD
Posts: 325

It's actually more like six months. If you buy the lifetime service, you're also increasing the resale value of your TiVo. You will be able to sell it for $200 to $250 more than a non-lifetimed unit, if you even decide to get rid of it (so you can buy an HDTiVo, for example).

--Chris

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webmaster, Artisan Cards

In-house:
Sony SVR-2000, 140 hours (WD 120GB), $199 lifetime sub and TurboNet
Philips HDR312, 167 hours (A: WD 60GB & B: WD 80GB), $249 lifetime sub and TurboNet.
Philips HDR112, 144 hours (A: Maxtor 120GB), lifetime sub. PPP over serial!
Philips HDR112, 144 hours (A: Maxtor 120GB), lifetime sub, removeable hard drive and TurboNet.
Philips HDR312, currently in pieces...'cause it's fun to mess with stuff!
That's three weeks of TiVo at medium quality, 24 hours a day.

Out on loan:
Philips HDR112, 116 hours. Currently on loan to Dad.

Actual mother-son conversation:
Son: "Hey, Mom. How's your Christmas present (DirecTiVo) working out?"
Mother: "TiVo rocks."

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Posts: 794

quote:

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Originally posted by dj81462
DTV or cable co. DVR service is a better value in the long run. Most are around $5 per month. They also offer HD recording.

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Registered: Jan 2004
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Posts: 21

quote:

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Originally posted by drewman
If that is true, why are you hanging out here? Nothing better to do?

Andrew

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Andy,
Was looking into a second DVR and other alternatives to spending at least $600 and got interested in pros and cons of TIVO vs the others. I also want HD recording which the only option for that might be DTV or cable DVRs right now.

Why are you out here? Nothing better to do than blindly defend you purchase and negatively jump on a different opinion?

IMO, everyone should question service providers, it keeps them honest and competitive. As you I'm happy with my TIVO service, but unlike you I'll keep an open mind and explore other options.

As far as the cable DVR, I will most likely be getting a SA8000 with Adelphia. I agree that it maybe be more of a "TIVO lite" service after looking at the features of the box. The main points I need are all there, such as series recording (season pass) with the ability to not record re-runs, 7 day in advance recording (I have never used suggestions or wish lists), two tuner HD recording and all basic DVR functions.

For $5 a month with rented equipment will cost me $60 per year. It will take me 10yrs to recover that cost by purchasing another TIVO.

Yes, I know you can alway sell your TIVO and recover some cost, but what good is your TIVO if the motherboard craps out after your warranty? Adelphia will apologize for the inconvenience and give me a free replacement the following day.

I have an S2 TIVO and a lifetime sub and plan to keep it, but my 60" HD LCD widescreen needs a HD recording DVR. How much do you think a stand alone HD TIVO with two tuners will sell for....$700 to $1000?

The thread starter asked for my opinion and he got it. Do you have any info to provide him other then trying to defend your purchase?

Please convince me why a TIVO DVR would be better for my situation, that would be a worthwhile post.

Bottom line - I'm here because I feel like it .

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Registered: Oct 2002
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Posts: 2525

I don't have first-hand knowledge of cable DVRs, but everything I've heard indicates that they aren't nearly as good as Tivo. They're cheaper and have dual tuners, but that's all.

I got lifetime for my SA and I've never regretted it. I've had it over a year with no problems. And there's no way the government will obsolete 250 million TV's. If most people's current setups won't handle it (perhaps with a low-cost converter), it's not going to happen.

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My Tivo is too small!

Allan is probably right. Most likely he's wrong, but he's probably right. If he slips
me a fiver he can be 100% correct. - whoknows55

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Capital of the Free World
Posts: 4522

quote:

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Originally posted by chase_hyland
isn't the government making everything go to HDTV??

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Marc
1 HR10-250; 1xDSR6000, 1xDVR40; People evangelized to date: 19

I was halfway to Rivendell when the drugs began to kick in. -- Hunter S. Tolkien

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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Posts: 794

My opinion on lifetime service is that it is a good buy - It pays for itself in 2 years or so. The HDTV mandate is only for broadcasters - NOT cable or satellite.

Half the cable networks would fail if they were forced to switch to HDTV quickly. The additional equipment and bandwidth required would break them.

Standard definition TV will be around for a lot longer than two years.

quote:

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Originally posted by dj81462

Why are you out here? Nothing better to do than blindly defend you purchase and negatively jump on a different opinion?

Bottom line - I'm here because I feel like it .

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Where did I blindly defend my purchase? I was curious why someone would just come to a TiVo-oriented board and say to a person who has already bought a TiVo that they should switch to another DVR?

The OP was NOT asking whether he should get a cable company DVR or a TiVo. He was asking whether to buy lifetime service or not. Your comment was off-topic and felt rather trollish.

Reasons I am here:

- I have had TiVo since 1999, long before cable companies had DVR capability. (my per month cost for service has dropped below $5 and is still falling)
- I want the opportunity to influence (in a small way) how TiVo evolves its product.
- I want to own the equipment I use - not lease it from a company that can take it away if I mess with it.
- To interact with interesting people. I have found over time that is the case here.
- Finally, I feel like it too

You are, of course, welcome to your opinion and this board. I am glad you have a TiVo to compare and contrast the two DVRs you will be owning / leasing.

Andrew

Last edited by drewman on 02-04-2004 at 10:47 PM

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Registered: Dec 2003
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Posts: 288

My cable company just announced the addition of these boxes for 'sale only' rental not available till June apparently. So I decided to do some reading around the net to see what the opinion of this box was. And I specifically avoided any 'TiVo' sites for these reviews.

The reviews were not kind. Even among users who had never owned a PVR before, the bulk of the postings -- and there were a LOT of them - were very very negative. The box's software is very buggy. And its' good the cable company will give you another one, cause alot of the SA8000 boxes crash within the first 30 days or so.

Now, given that these boxes are retailing at $399 or so.. Forget it, I ain't buying something that flaky.

And if you think the customer service from TiVO is bad, try Scientific Atlanta...

As for lifetime service, I bought mine in November 1999. That would be 4+ years ago and its still going strong. (Just upgraded the HDs in fact). I got my money's worth.

J

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Registered: Oct 2002
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Posts: 22

Lifetime is worth it for me since i got it during the $199 era and i have a bestbuy warranty so it transfers over with that. BUT... if i would buy nowadays im not sure if id get it. $300 only for a subscription service in a market thats going to have 153 other competitors just doesnt make sense. id rather make my own tivo.

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