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View Full Version : Opinions on the value of lifetime subscription

ptsailor
05-31-2006, 01:38 PM
I'm looking to buy a additional unit (have a series 2) and am trying to decide between the Humax and the new dual tuners...

Both will require me to upgrade the hard drive so capacity isn't an issue. The material differences seem to be the ability to record DVD directly (rather than archiving to a PC and then to DVD) and a lifetime option versus the Dual tuner capabilities of the newer unit.

How valuable is the ability to purchase lifetime on the Humax units?
petew
05-31-2006, 02:47 PM
It depends on whether your first unit has lifetime. If you save $12.95/month it's worth it. Saving $6.95 it will take almost 5 years to break even, especially if you factor in interest on the $299.
bmb
05-31-2006, 02:56 PM
How valuable is the ability to purchase lifetime on the Humax units?

I thought there were no more lifetime plans, but from this post I guess not. Where can I find out more about this Humax and the lifetime option?
funtoupgrade
05-31-2006, 03:15 PM
Only Humax DRT400 and DRT800 combo TiVo/DVD burners can have new lifetime subscriptions. TiVo could not get out of their separate contract with Humax on these units.
Also you have to call TiVo to do it - can't do it online.

In today's (and most certainly the future) market you can easily recoup the cost of the lifetime sub by selling off the unit.
bmb
05-31-2006, 04:10 PM
Only Humax DRT400 and DRT800 combo TiVo/DVD burners can have new lifetime subscriptions.

Can you still buy these units, and if so, where? I thought Best Buy use to carry Humax, but I can't find it on their website.
jfh3
05-31-2006, 05:59 PM
Can you still buy these units, and if so, where? I thought Best Buy use to carry Humax, but I can't find it on their website.

They seem to be discontinued, but if you have a Best Buy near you, you should still be able to find some in-store stock.

They also show up on eBay from time to time from stock liquidators.
ptsailor
05-31-2006, 07:22 PM
Best Buy is 'clearancing' the units out.. my local store has about 5 40 hour units left for $349 and then you get a $150 rebate with you active service. So in the end you'd spend $500 and have a 40 hour lifetime Humax. The 40 hours doesn't bug me as I plan to upgrade the hard drive anyway whether I buy the Humax or the Dual Tuner.

To answer an earlier question, I don't have lifetime on the current unit, so I'd save $12.95/month for the $299 investment in lifetime. Just under a 2 year period to recapture, excluding interest.
ptsailor
05-31-2006, 11:29 PM
Realized this isn't really a help topic, so I'm reposting in Coffee House... Mods please feel free to close.