A second TiVo - do I need to subscribe if...

[Pedel]

I'm new to the forum - so thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

I'm a new convert to TiVo. I have a Series 2 and have it networked. I'd like to add a second TiVo to just watch shows in another room. If I were to buy a second TiVo (e.g. used off EBay), could I connect it to my network and transfer shows from my main TiVo if I don't have a subscription to the second TiVo?

Basically, I'm asking if I can use the second TiVo as just a reciever of shows off of the main one without paying a second monthly fee. I know that if I want to record shows on the second one I need a subscription, but not sure if I need to have it just to watch shows I passed over from the first. Thanks.

[netserf57]

I'm new to the forum - so thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

I'm a new convert to TiVo. I have a Series 2 and have it networked. I'd like to add a second TiVo to just watch shows in another room. If I were to buy a second TiVo (e.g. used off EBay), could I connect it to my network and transfer shows from my main TiVo if I don't have a subscription to the second TiVo?

Basically, I'm asking if I can use the second TiVo as just a reciever of shows off of the main one without paying a second monthly fee. I know that if I want to record shows on the second one I need a subscription, but not sure if I need to have it just to watch shows I passed over from the first. Thanks.


Bad news/Good news. Bad news is second TiVo needs a subscription to do peer to peer networking. Good news is that it is only $7.99 a month for the second TiVo.

[Pedel]

Thanks for the quick reply! Oh well - it was worth asking....

[windracer]

Good news is that it is only $7.99 a month for the second TiVo.
Actually, additional units are only $6.95/month.

http://www.tivo.com/1.6.2.asp#MSD

[timckelley]

Yes, if all he wants to do is use it in his networking but not carry any guide data or doing any calling in or recording of shows, then it does seem like a raw deal that he should have to subscribe it.

[dgh]

As long as TiVo wants to sell hardware at or below cost, they're going to continue "encouraging" a subscription, even if you want to use it as a doorstop ;)

[hitbyatrain]

If he wants, he can use the Tivo2Go functionality to push shows to his desktop PC, and then burn them to DVDs which he can THEN watch on his other television.

[ZeoTiVo]

Yes, if all he wants to do is use it in his networking but not carry any guide data or doing any calling in or recording of shows, then it does seem like a raw deal that he should have to subscribe it.

well as long as he pays 200$ and covers all the hardware costs then maybe that is valid, but at what benefit to TiVo who is in business to make a return on the TiVos sold. So all Series 2 needs a subscription.



PS congrats to the OP for quickly hitting the "ask a question covered in many, many threads already" milestone ;) Welocme to the TiVolution

[LifeIsABeach]

Or just buy a product such as Terk Leapfrog which will send the TiVo signal to another TV in the house. No messing with transferring shows.