New Rebate?

[GoldGTR]

I've been contemplating a TiVo purchase for about 6 months and have driven EVERYONE CRAZY around me for that time, as I hum-haw about it.

Does anyone have an inside scoop about the rebates? I know that the current ($150) is ending next week. Is there going to be a new one? I think I'm ready to buy, but don't want to get burned when they change it to a $200 rebate, or 12 months FREE or something like that! Do they usually end one and start another one right back up?

Just curious - and paranoid.

[ChuckyBox]

Does anyone have an inside scoop about the rebates? I know that the current ($150) is ending next week. Is there going to be a new one? I think I'm ready to buy, but don't want to get burned when they change it to a $200 rebate, or 12 months FREE or something like that! Do they usually end one and start another one right back up?
Given that the most you have to pay for a 40-hour box right now is $20, I don't see a bigger rebate in the future, and you're not going to lose much even if they start giving the box away.

The most likely scenario is that they will start offering a monthly-only payment plan, where you get the box for "free" but pay a higher monthly rate (like $16.95). I don't know what the lifetime options will be under such a plan, but I'm guessing you'll still end up paying $20 or so for the box.

But I could be wrong. At worst you'll be out $20. But you could always return the box (within 30 days) and get a new one under whatever the new program is. This would work if they introduce new hardware within the next couple of weeks, too. Just don't bother applying for the rebate until you are sure you are keeping the box.

There is no chance of a free box and free service any time in the near future. TiVo's business model is still heavily dependent upon recurring subscription revenue, and that won't change for at least a couple of years. Their reason for giving the boxes away so cheap is to attract subscribers to the service.

I'd say go for it and start enjoying the TiVo experience. Once you start using TiVo, you will in no way resent what you paid for the box or the service, even if you could have had a better deal. There is always a better deal somewhere -- but life is too short to worry about $20.

[GoldGTR]

There is always a better deal somewhere -- but life is too short to worry about $20.

True, True. I may "go for it" this weekend. I've been reading about pixelation & audio/video dropout issues on this site's "Help" area, but that's just PARANOID me again.

Alright, I may pull the trigger, now that you put it that way. As soon as the dust clears at home from my wife (who says we don't NEED IT), I'll be enjoying the experience, as you say. :-)

Thanks

[jiggysmb]

I had been debating on getting a tivo for over year. Finally I broke down last week and got the 'web special' from tivo. Basically the 40 hour box was free, I just had to purchase and 1 year subscription and then I upgraded to the lifetime membership via a rep at a discounted rate. After a little 'upgrading', I have to say I am very happy with my decision.

A few things I dont like, which someone may be able to help me with are: the delay in changing channels, the music/background sounds seem to be much louder than the actors voices, the constant tapping the system makes and a small loss of picture quality on digital cable.

All in all, I would recommend Tivo to anyone!

[Revolutionary]

Dude, "pixelation and audio drop out?" Really? You can't base a decision on what to buy or not on help postings on a board like this. Those folks represent less than 2% of Tivo buyers! Would you not do something if there was a 2% chance of it going poorly? Like, say, drive to the super market? Get a flu shot? Eat chicken?

Don't concern yourself with pixelation or audio drop out, unless they happen to your box. In which case, you take it back and exchange it.

And your wife is wrong. The classic Tivo story: man fights with wife to get Tivo, wife says its unnecessary, man gets Tivo over objections, wife takes over Tivo suggestions, wife falls in love with Tivo, man gloats. Seen it a hundred times.

Get the Tivo.

[GoldGTR]

Dude, "pixelation and audio drop out?" Really? You can't base a decision on what to buy or not on help postings on a board like this. Those folks represent less than 2% of Tivo buyers! Would you not do something if there was a 2% chance of it going poorly? Like, say, drive to the super market? Get a flu shot? Eat chicken?

I understand what you're saying - I'm just trying to do my "homework" before I purchase. Like when I buy a car (yes, I know - A LOT more expensive) I research it to see if there are major problems with the engine that I'll have to worry about. The difference is (from what I read on here) that it looks like TiVo isn't accepting responsibility for the "issues" and are not offering a "just take it back for a new one" policy. With a car, you have a full warranty from the dealer.

Whatever, though. I'll get one eventually.
Thanks for the advice

[Atomike]

You wife will love the Tivo. From time to time, I like to ask my wife, "Aren't you glad we have the Tivo?"
And she always responds with a quaint, "It IS nice".
And I feel warm.

[dshinnick]

I buy a 51" TV over her objections. After three years I get a 65" TV without asking her. Now she says we need a bigger TV.

:O)

[davezatz]

A few things I dont like, which someone may be able to help me with are: the delay in changing channels, the music/background sounds seem to be much louder than the actors voices, the constant tapping the system makes and a small loss of picture quality on digital cable.

Somewhere in the settings you can adjust the volume of TiVo sound effects I believe. PQ is somewhat reduced... depends how sensitive you or your family is to such things, taking into consideration your TV and distance from it, etc. Changing channels will be more delayed via IR than serial which is more than direct tuning of an analog cable feed.

[Guindalf]

On the "wife" front, mine watched TV on a 13" portable for years until I came along. Now it's a 53" wide HD Panny in the living room and a 32" LCD in the bedroom, THREE DVRs (HD & SD DTiVos and an R15) and 5.1 surround and she loves it all!

When I got the first TiVo, which was a SA Philips 14 Hr, she wondered what I wanted it for. Not she can't watch TV without it. I'm on the road all week so she gets to watch her soaps and even watches them on 1xFF with the captions on - and STILL 3xFFs through the commercials.

I want a big plasma or at least a DLP now - and if I can get something that'll mount over the fireplace, she'll be right with me.

[ZeoTiVo]

And your wife is wrong. The classic Tivo story: man fights with wife to get Tivo, wife says its unnecessary, man gets Tivo over objections, wife takes over Tivo suggestions, wife falls in love with Tivo, man gloats. Seen it a hundred times.

Get the Tivo.

my wife was setting up her own shows in season passes the day after I had it running. Now we have 4 and she suggested getting the second one :)

her pet name for me sometimes is "selfRighteousTiVoJerk" still though. :rolleyes:
I had no idea she read these forums :p

[petew]

The difference is (from what I read on here) that it looks like TiVo isn't accepting responsibility for the "issues" and are not offering a "just take it back for a new one" policy. With a car, you have a full warranty from the dealer.


Tivo do offer a warranty and a 30day money back guarantee, try taking a car back to the dealer after a week's trial!

[bomberjim]

To address the picture quality issue, although you will get a small loss in PQ, you can minimize this if you use (if possible) an S-Video connection from your cable box to the Tivo and another S-Video connection from the Tivo to the TV. Additionally, make sure your coax and video cables are routed away from power cords and that all connections are tight. PQ losses should be almost un-noticable when watching "live" TV or a best quality recording on anything but a very large screen.

Jim L

[GoldGTR]

Tivo do offer a warranty and a 30day money back guarantee, try taking a car back to the dealer after a week's trial!

Ok...Ok! I'm getting one this weekend!!! That's it! :)
D@mn the paranoia (and the wife) !

(just kiddin' baby...)

[jjberger2134]

Your wife will love TiVo, My, non techinical wife did not want anything to do with TiVo when I first got it around 2002. Then last year, she started asking for a 2nd TiVo, which we bought last summer. Just this past weekend we were at a friends house who recently purchased a 50" HDTV DLP. We were watching the Olympics. In the car on the way home she asked, When are we getting HDTV?

The moral of the story for you... the wife will be happy, she just needs to see TiVo in action.

However, TiVo does have its limitations. Just do your research, know what to expect and you will be a happy camper.

[dirtyzachattack]

I just wish this guy would buy one - i can't imagine all the frustration he is causing on all his co-workers :)

[pdhenry]

Psst: FREE refurb 40-Hr when you prepay a year of service:

http://www.tivo.com/2.0.1.asp

[mattack]

I'm on the road all week so she gets to watch her soaps and even watches them on 1xFF with the captions on

This is one of the good things(*) about my non-Tivo hard drive/DVD recorder. At the first FF speed, you get sound also.. So things like the news and some shows like Nova, I watch at the first FF speed. Also for the Olympics I watch the actual guts of the sport at normal speed, then FF for the discussion between contestants.

(*) The other two good things -- being able to edit recordings before burning to DVD and record to DVD in separate sessions. I would *still* probably buy a Tivo/DVD recorder if it had these functions, because of the greater reliability and far better UI in general.

But 1FF with sound is VERY nice. (I know some VCRs had/have this capability too.)

[greg_burns]

After a little 'upgrading' ... A few things I dont like, which someone may be able to help me with are: ... the constant tapping the system makes

Did you upgrade the hard drive yourself by chance? If so, and you used a Maxtor drive, then there is software that will quiet the drive down; AMSET

First link I found about AMSET...
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/archive/index.php/t-175000.html

[tenthplanet]

[QUOTE=jiggysmb

A few things I dont like, which someone may be able to help me with are: the delay in changing channels, the music/background sounds seem to be much louder than the actors voices, the constant tapping the system makes and a small loss of picture quality on digital cable.

All in all, I would recommend Tivo to anyone![/QUOTE]

Music and background sounds being louder than actors voices is not the Tivo, it's the sound enginners. This problem is on many DVD's and has been noticeable on cable premium channels like HBO and Showtime for years. As the networks go to digital sound it's heard with a number of network television shows also.
One learns to be quick with the volume control on the remote if watching late at night and headphones can help too.
As far as the loss of picture quality with digital cable you may find using an S-video cable between the Tivo and your cable box will help as well as an S-video cable from the Tivo to your Tv if your TV can accept an S-video connection.
Your channel change speed is only as fast as your cable box so it's a normal thing.
Not sure what the tapping thing is. I have 2 Tivo's and I haven't heard anything like it. Then again the furnace and frig can mask any low level sounds when they are running!
Tivo on........

[audiocrawford]

Don't wait any longer. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't do it years earlier. The amount of time wasted a) watching things just because they were on, b) watching commercials, c) trying to find something at any given time, and d) missing certain shows is just staggering.

If you watch more than a couple an hour of TV a day, TiVo will change your life - or at least how you structure your entertainment time.

AC

[GoldGTR]

OK - I'm ready to buy...
Went to BestBuy yesterday and they were OUT. They said they had two units in another store. Went there today - OUT. Checked CircuitCity online today and they're OUT. What THE *)$*#()

Has anyone here bought online, either TiVo.com or Amazon, or whatever? It looks like I can get the 80 hour from TiVo.com for the same price BB had it ($69.99), but I don't know if those are strictly refurbs and I don't know how long it takes to get it here. Anyone know? Thanks again.

[greg_burns]

Has anyone here bought online, either TiVo.com or Amazon, or whatever? It looks like I can get the 80 hour from TiVo.com for the same price BB had it ($69.99), but I don't know if those are strictly refurbs and I don't know how long it takes to get it here. Anyone know? Thanks again.

I bought a refurb 6 months ago when they had this deal last time...

http://www.tivo.com/2.0.1.asp

And I just ordered another 40 hour one the other day. Plan on replacing the hard drive immediately when it gets here. What a deal. :up:

[jjberger2134]

The refurb. units are a great deal (free), and you only commit to 1 year of service (which you do with any subscription). I "bought" a free 40 hr. refurb. last summer and the unit had NO signs that it had ever been used. It was spotless. More importantly, the unit works perfectly.

Keep in mind, if you buy from TiVo.com, you will receive an instant $150 rebate, versus the mail in rebate that is required when you buy from a retailer. The TiVo rebate process is notorious for being problematic. Therefore, a unit from tivo.com with free shipping is really a great deal especially since there are no rebate hassles.

Go with the 40 hr. if you have some computer tech ability. You will want to replace the hard drive with a larger capacity pretty soon after purchase once you see how TiVo can alter the way you manage your viewing experience.

Go with the 80 hr. if you do not want to be bothered by upgrading.

Additionally, keep in mind that if you have a home network and spare hard drive space on your home PC, then you can use that additional HD capacity as storage space for your TiVo overflow.

[ChuckyBox]

OK - I'm ready to buy...
Went to BestBuy yesterday and they were OUT. They said they had two units in another store. Went there today - OUT. Checked CircuitCity online today and they're OUT. What THE *)$*#()

Where do you live? Maybe someone nearby knows a place with some stock. TiVo seems to be trying to burn away the remaining stock, so you should probably act within the next week or so if you want one of these boxes. I was in Fry's today and they were selling the 40-hour for $0 AR ($149.99 in store price). I say "the" 40-hour because they had only one. But the 3 BBs near me all have some 40s left for the $19.99 price.

As to your other questing: the 80-hour boxes at tivo.com are new, the 40s are refurbs. I, personally, wouldn't hesitate to buy a refurb, and with free shipping and the instant rebate, it is a crazy good deal. Hell, get two and you can set up a nice "dual-tuner" system (for analog cable/antenna, anyway) for $20 per month (less if you go lifetime on one or both). Edit: (And you'd have 80-hours combined capacity, too.)

[peteypete]

80 hours are selling out now. I would buy online from tivo.com. I think they're pretty good. ordered6 days before christmas, they got one there a day before xmas, so it wasn't too bad. If it doesn't say refurb, it's gonna be new.

The refurbs are actually pretty good too.

[TydalForce]

i got a refurb 80-hour dvd-rw TiVo a few weeks ago

It was in perfect shape; I'd never have known it was a refurb if I hadn't specifically ordered one. Works great! I got nuffin' against refurbs if I trust who refurbished it (c: