Want a dvr

[slick skillet]

I was looking for a used DVR for occasional program recording. Can anyone please advise on older Tivo DVR's that can manually record and do not require a Tivo subscription. I've seen Philips and Sony SVR-2000's on EBAY but the majority don't say whether manual recording is functional. Thanks in advance.

[wscannell]

Some older Series 1 Tivos have the ability to record without a subscription. However, there is not a good way to tell whether they are capable of this or not.

There also are some newer DVD TiVos (Pioneer models, I think) that come with TiVo Basic service. TiVo Basic is a limited functionality no-cost service for these specific DVD units.

[mr.unnatural]

If you're looking for a standalone DVR that can record without a subscription the you may want to look for an old Panasonic Showstopper or 2000 or 3000 series ReplayTV. They came with lifetime service built into the original purchase price so you'll get guide data as long as the unit still functions.

I actually preferred the ReplayTV's user interface to the Tivos at the time. Setup is quick and easy. I could typically get one set up and recording local programming in under 20 minutes, even with making the calls to download the local program guide. I used to travel around the country and carried a ReplayTV wherever I went so I wouldn't miss shows while I was at work, typically in the evening.

[slick skillet]

I read that sony svr-2000 manufactured before a certain date had the manual record with no subscription capability? Date unknown though.

[nhaigh]

I read that sony svr-2000 manufactured before a certain date had the manual record with no subscription capability? Date unknown though.


You are right but I don't know the date. If it helps I do know I got mine in March 2001 and it is able to work without service.

[wscannell]

This also applies to the Philips HDR series (HDR-112, HDR312). Not sure of the exact date.

[mr.unnatural]

It's not so much the manufacture date but the OS version that the Tivos are using. I believe you need one of the older versions prior to version 3 (?) in order to use the Tivo as a manual recorder without a subscription. Both the Sony and the Philips models mentioned are series 1 models. I have an old S1 SA Tivo that I used to use as a manual recorder but I haven't booted it up in ages so I can't tell you the OS version off the top of my head.

[wscannell]

The older TiVos were advertised as being able to manually record and they did. This applies to the series 1 units only. At some point, TiVo stopped stating that these units would work at all without a subscription. The latest version of the TiVo software has a flag in it indicating whether the unit was activated with the ability to manually record. These units will manually record. I believe that it is based on the original activation date of the TiVo. If the flag is enabled, these will record manually, otherwise they won't. No good way to tell without trying the unit.

[slick skillet]

Good info. so far, thanks for responses.

[SpaceAce69]

The Toshiba SD-H400 also comes with free basic service. I know this first hand as I own one of them :cool: