Non-subscribed tivo on a network?

[rick123]

Gonna get one of them new-fangled 2 tuner models, but I already have a second tivo.

When the prepaid subscription on my existing tivo #2 expires and I cancel it, what happens to it's functionality? Does the software remain intact? Specifically, if it remains on my wired network, would I still be able to transfer shows to it from my other tivos? Could it be used as a TV show player and for storage/archiving of tv shows?

Can you still use it to watch live TV with all those associated functions?

Thanks.

[Dan203]

Nope. Without a subcription a Series 2 unit is basically a boat anchor. It can't do anything but play back what's already recorded.

Dan

[tomm1079]

Now im curious....

what happens if it never dials out so it never knows it is out of payment?

[Dan203]

The subscription automatically expires when the guide data runs out. So you'd have a gap of about 12 days before it stopped working.

Dan

[rick123]

Too bad.

So if I unplug a tivo from the internet, when the guide data runs out, the tivo will stop working?

[Dan203]

Pretty much. Like I said you'll be able to watch anything that was previously recorded, and you'll be able to watch live TV, but that's it.

Dan

[debest]

Dan,

Would a person be able to use a networked TiVo unit without a subscription to transfer recordings from the Tivo desktop running on my PC?

I'd hate to just throw a perfectly good box into the trash can.

Thanks!

[rick123]

Thanks Dan,

So you are saying that the "live tv" function of an unsubscribed tivo will continue to work, ie. pause, rewind, fast forward, etc...?

[Dan203]

Would a person be able to use a networked TiVo unit without a subscription to transfer recordings from the Tivo desktop running on my PC?

Nope.

I'd hate to just throw a perfectly good box into the trash can.

Don't. Give it to a friend. If they sub it on a new account and use your email address as the referrer you'll even get 5,000 reward points to use on cool TiVo swag.

Dan

[Dan203]

So you are saying that the "live tv" function of an unsubscribed tivo will continue to work, ie. pause, rewind, fast forward, etc...?

This I'm not 100% sure about. I believe so, but don't quote me on it.

Dan

[ScottUrman]

Thanks Dan,

So you are saying that the "live tv" function of an unsubscribed tivo will continue to work, ie. pause, rewind, fast forward, etc...?

I believe that this will work, but only within the 30 minute buffer. Never tried it myself though.