Well, after being a TiVo subscriber for 13 years, I am fed up with their shoddy product and shoddy customer service and dumping my remaining 3 DVRs (I had 6 and have recently dumped 3) and going with either Roku or Apple TV and Time Warner Cable DVRs. The final straw was when I had recently set a hockey game (a Stanley Cup semi-finals game) to record while I was at work and when I got home, ready to watch a game I had been anticipating all day, I was greeted with a black screen and an error message. Ironically, the channel (NBCSN) worked just fine on a different TV that didn't have a TiVo DVR connected. This isn't the first problem I've had with a TiVo DVR. I spent literally several months (more than 4, all told) helping TiVo TS troubleshoot a problem and what did I get in response? Two subscription-free months for the defective DVR and two TiVo supervisors giving me conflicting information as to whether or not my defective DVR would be replaced. One said sure, no problem while the other said I would have to jump through a few more troubleshooting hoops before a decision would be made on how to proceed. Apparently 4 months of hoop jumping wasn't enough for her.
So, I'm done. I'm done with having to deal with the CableCard issues and the tuning adapter issues and I am done having to pay $20 a month/DVR for a product that has become more of a headache than anything. Ironically, when it's all said and done, I will be paying more for Apple TV or Roku and the TWC DVR than if I were to stay with TiVo but I don't care. If it means paying a couple bucks more a month to have the peace of mind knowing that when I set a channel to record while I am at work, my program will be ready for viewing when I get home, then so be it.
One word of advice TiVo: Study the customer service practices of Verizon Wireless and mirror those. They actually care about their customers - something you might want to consider if you want to stay in business.
Well, after being a TiVo subscriber for 13 years, I am fed up with their shoddy product and shoddy customer service and dumping my remaining 3 DVRs (I had 6 and have recently dumped 3) and going with either Roku or Apple TV and Time Warner Cable DVRs. The final straw was when I had recently set a hockey game (a Stanley Cup semi-finals game) to record while I was at work and when I got home, ready to watch a game I had been anticipating all day, I was greeted with a black screen and an error message. Ironically, the channel (NBCSN) worked just fine on a different TV that didn't have a TiVo DVR connected. This isn't the first problem I've had with a TiVo DVR. I spent literally several months (more than 4, all told) helping TiVo TS troubleshoot a problem and what did I get in response? Two subscription-free months for the defective DVR and two TiVo supervisors giving me conflicting information as to whether or not my defective DVR would be replaced. One said sure, no problem while the other said I would have to jump through a few more troubleshooting hoops before a decision would be made on how to proceed. Apparently 4 months of hoop jumping wasn't enough for her.
So, I'm done. I'm done with having to deal with the CableCard issues and the tuning adapter issues and I am done having to pay $20 a month/DVR for a product that has become more of a headache than anything. Ironically, when it's all said and done, I will be paying more for Apple TV or Roku and the TWC DVR than if I were to stay with TiVo but I don't care. If it means paying a couple bucks more a month to have the peace of mind knowing that when I set a channel to record while I am at work, my program will be ready for viewing when I get home, then so be it.
One word of advice TiVo: Study the customer service practices of Verizon Wireless and mirror those. They actually care about their customers - something you might want to consider if you want to stay in business.
Well, as a 13+ year subscriber to TiVo and owner of, at times 6+ TiVo DVRs, I felt somewhat of a responsibility to share my frustrations with other TiVo subscribers and provide some insight into what they (you) are getting yourselves in to. TiVo has turned a blind eye to the likes of Time Warner constantly feigning ignorance in dealing with CableCards. Hell, even when I filed a formal complaint with the FCC about the cable company refusing to allow me to self install a couple of CableCards, they blew me off. When even the Feds don't take a company like TiVo seriously, that tells me it's time to move on.
I'm pretty sure you weren't forced to read the thread but, you've asked a fair question and I have provided what I feel is an equally fair response.
I guess you never, for a moment considered it was TWC that was the source of your problems and suggested that TWC make their system work correctly and credit you for services you did not receive?
Seems to me TWC is the one you should be venting at, not giving more money to.
Seems like your problem is with Time Warner and their handling of third party merchandise. You did exactly what they wanted. They made it difficult to use a Tivo with poor cablecard support and faulty tuning adapters, so you dump the Tivo and put more money in Time Warners pockets. Bravo.
Yes I would say Time Warner as well. I've been with TiVo for almost twelve years and have used over twenty TiVos between DirecTV, Comcast, and FiOS. And have not run into the problems the OP has. My TiVo DVRs have been more reliable during those twelve years than the Comcast and FioS DVRs are during a several month period. My neighbors Comcast and FiOS DVRs miss more recordings over several months than all my TiVos combined have ever missed during those twelve years.
I feel your pain. After laying out over $1100 for a premiere and an XL I had nothing but lookups, reboots and missed recordings. TiVo blamed FIOS until they couldn't deny the fact any longer that they rushed out the Premire half baked.
Their answer? They'll replace my 3 month old boxes. With REFURBS!!!
F-you TiVo, how's about taking some of those lawsuit winnings and hiring some competent engineers?
Like you I went with a "generic" DVR from my MSO (that was free) and have not had a single problem at all.
Well, as a 13+ year subscriber to TiVo and owner of, at times 6+ TiVo DVRs, I felt somewhat of a responsibility to share my frustrations with other TiVo subscribers and provide some insight into what they (you) are getting yourselves in to. TiVo has turned a blind eye to the likes of Time Warner constantly feigning ignorance in dealing with CableCards. Hell, even when I filed a formal complaint with the FCC about the cable company refusing to allow me to self install a couple of CableCards, they blew me off. When even the Feds don't take a company like TiVo seriously, that tells me it's time to move on.
I'm pretty sure you weren't forced to read the thread but, you've asked a fair question and I have provided what I feel is an equally fair response.
TiVo is a flyspeck compared to Times Warner so I have a problem with you saying TiVo turned a blind eye to the likes of Time Warner, if TiVo was the size of Microsoft, I would be more likely to agree with you, but you bring up one valid point, cable cos, left on their own, could put TiVo out of business, I am with Comcast and started using cable cards in 2006, never had any problem, don't have any cable card problems now, Comcast has a simple special tel number to pair your cable cards so moving a cable card to another TiVo is a few minute job, I can't speak for other cable cos. but my system is great and gives me no frustration as your experiencing.
Never had a lick of trouble with Verizon FIOS and my S3's. Verizon tech support has always been exemplary whenever I had problems and they always resolved them quickly. I'm not a huge fan of Tivo's customer support, but it sounds like your issues were with Time Warner and not Tivo.
I hate to pile it on but i also feel your cable card issues were with time warner cable .Cable companies like to hassle customers and blame tivo because they WANT YOU TO DROP THE TIVO AND GET THERE DVR!!!!!! And i've noticed cable companies that use tuning adapters seem to have more problems with tivos than those that dont have the TAs! In 13 years of using tivo i have never had a problem with either directv or verizon fios,2 companies that DONT USE tuning adapters!
Guys, guys, guys. Sure, his problem is probably with TWC. What the F is he supposed to do??? Sue them?? All he wants is a reliable device. i don't blame him.
Having said that, I have both Tivo and the TWC DVR. I never use the TWC because it is so lame compared to the Tivo. But it is totally reliable (I use it to record critical shows as back-up). And it gets On-demand content, which I use occasionally (like when the Tivo misses a recording, or I see something good that I never recorded), and PPV, which I never use.
My Tivo service with TWC has been pretty good. My main headache is with my Tivo HD and the TA having the program data run out, so I have to put my TA on a timer. THAT I blame Tivo on. I have no such problem with my Tivo P4 and TA.
Could the problem be the new TWC lineup change ? I read in another thread here on the tivo community about TWC doing a lineup change.Sorry if some of us seemed to jump on you but speaking for my self I have been pretty much happy with tivo and hate to see someone dump tivo for a cable dvr. And to be fair i am being a little bit of a hypocrite here as i am debating switching and going back to directv,mainly beacuse i want the 5 tuner genie and hoping to get nba league pass and NFL sunday ticket for free this fall. I just cant afford to buy new tivos anymore,unless the new rumored tivo really has 6 tuners and a price less than $300.00 Even then i i probably wont get it because the lifetime service would bring the price up over$700.00 .
Every time I've had a snafu with reception on any of my TiVos using CableCARDS (beginning the original S3, an HD and now an XL4), it's ALWAYS been the cableco's fault. I'm not saying it's never TiVo's fault, but my guess (uneducated though it may be) is that this is another in a loooong list of cable companies who don't give a $hi! about the customers.
The latest problem was with some Starz channels that now require Mediacom to pair the cards to the machine. Their field techs had absolutely NO CLUE what to do and, even though they were instructed to bring extra CableCARDS (from their social media liaison with whom I was dialogging), did not get the instructions to do so. The guy I was chatting with (who is in Florida) ended up solving the problem from there after a week of frustration.
Well, as a 13+ year subscriber to TiVo and owner of, at times 6+ TiVo DVRs, I felt somewhat of a responsibility to share my frustrations with other TiVo subscribers and provide some insight into what they (you) are getting yourselves in to.
Sharing your misplaced blame is not being responsible.
TiVo has turned a blind eye to the likes of Time Warner constantly feigning ignorance in dealing with CableCards. Hell, even when I filed a formal complaint with the FCC about the cable company refusing to allow me to self install a couple of CableCards, they blew me off. When even the Feds don't take a company like TiVo seriously, that tells me it's time to move on.
Guys, guys, guys. Sure, his problem is probably with TWC. What the F is he supposed to do??? Sue them?? All he wants is a reliable device. i don't blame him.
Having said that, I have both Tivo and the TWC DVR. I never use the TWC because it is so lame compared to the Tivo. But it is totally reliable (I use it to record critical shows as back-up). And it gets On-demand content, which I use occasionally (like when the Tivo misses a recording, or I see something good that I never recorded), and PPV, which I never use.
My Tivo service with TWC has been pretty good. My main headache is with my Tivo HD and the TA having the program data run out, so I have to put my TA on a timer. THAT I blame Tivo on. I have no such problem with my Tivo P4 and TA.
The above is the best answer I have seen to the OP, but the OP should not project his problems on all TiVo users, like using the words that what TiVo users are in for has no basis of truth because of the OP problem, his problem and other like it do cause many people just to take the cable cos DVR in the first place, and not have the possibility of this type of problem, for them, the DVR stops working, cable guy comes out and installs another, no unforeseen expense on your part. As for me, I have had TiVo for 12 years and I can sell on E-Bay, so I can keep my TiVo upgrade cost in check, and I can repair most TiVo problems myself, with little cost, I am sure many of this forum can do the same, but the wider world can't or don't want the bother.
I can appreciate your frustration and I've had problems with my Tivo units, as well.
That said, I got a special offer for a free cable DVR (Motorola). Say what you want about Tivo - the cable boxes are so much worse. Hold on to your Tivos until you've actually lived with the cable company box for a month or so.
Those of you who have had a problem free experience with Tivo: I'm happy for you. Not all of us are so lucky. Those of you who think any problems with Tivo must be the users' fault: Maybe you should be working in tech support. In the meantime, enjoy listening to Rush.
Those of you who think any problems with Tivo must be the users' fault: Maybe you should be working in tech support. In the meantime, enjoy listening to Rush.
I'll have to speak up and state that my 13 years of experience with TiVo's has been positive (2 S1's originally and now 2 S3's) when used with Comcast. We've had CableCards for 6 years now and any issues with them have always been on Comcast's side. Luckily those have been relatively few.
Calling TiVo a shoddy product is taking it to the extreme even given the frustration with your issue which as others have mentioned is more than likely on TW's side. My brother has a TiVo HD and a Comcast DVR and he's had to replace the Comcast DVR 3 times in the past 2 years and one of those was a brand new unit so his experience with the cable DVD has not been very good so far. I hope your experience with the TW DVR is better.
Guys, guys, guys. Sure, his problem is probably with TWC. What the F is he supposed to do??? Sue them?? All he wants is a reliable device. i don't blame him.
.
Its very simple. One should call TWC and advise them that you do not intend to pay for services until such time that they are delivered. Force TWC to fix their problem or leave.
I hate to pile it on but i also feel your cable card issues were with time warner cable .Cable companies like to hassle customers and blame tivo because they WANT YOU TO DROP THE TIVO AND GET THERE DVR!!!!!! And i've noticed cable companies that use tuning adapters seem to have more problems with tivos than those that dont have the TAs! In 13 years of using tivo i have never had a problem with either directv or verizon fios,2 companies that DONT USE tuning adapters!
Why do the cable companies care if you use their DVRs? Several people say that they are free when compared to Tivo. So, again.... Why would the cable company care if you're using a Tivo then?
Its very simple. One should call TWC and advise them that you do not intend to pay for services until such time that they are delivered. Force TWC to fix their problem or leave.
Joey Bagadonuts, have you used a TWC DVR before? They stink. I had their "Signature Home Service" with whole house DVR. Supposed to be high support. It was the same support, except I had special number I could call, a person would answer right away, but they knew nothing, did not really do support. They just answered the phone and put me on the same hold queue as the other folks. Their hardware is flaky too. I had to reboot their DVR at least once a week. The UI stinks. The remotes had to be pointed directly at the DVR to work. Try the TWC DVRs before you get rid of your Tivos.
Why do the cable companies care if you use their DVRs? Several people say that they are free when compared to Tivo. So, again.... Why would the cable company care if you're using a Tivo then?
Time Warners business plan is working perfectly. Ignore all support for third party products and people will be forced to use yours. They win. Game over.
It's comical how defensive you guys get when someone points out that a Ferrari, while an awesome car, is not a good daily driver. Way more than most people need and ya'll are quick to blame the dealer when you get a bill for a $1400 tune up cause they run like **** most of the time.
Hint: It's not the dealers fault....
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