Switching Tivo's

[RawisTheGameHhH]

I am going to purchase a Dual Tuner TiVo early next week and currently own a 540 Series 2. I do not want 2 TiVos's, I just want to transfer my service over from my old TiVo to the new Dual Tuner TiVo. Can i do this online or must i call customer service? Thanks!

[jlb]

A couple of questions......

Do you have lifetime service on the 540 Series 2? It won't transfer over. If you have monthly, it should be easy to activate the new TiVO and deactivate the other. You can do it over the phone, but it might be much easier for you to do it online at TiVo with "Manage My Account".

https://www3.tivo.com/tivo-mma/login/show.do?cams_security_domain=tivocom&cams_login_config=http&cams_original_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww3.tivo.com%3A443%2Ftivo-mma%2Foverview.do

However, though you say you don't want another TiVo, assuming you are paying monthly, the new TiVo (assuming you did not buy it bundled from TiVo) would only be another $6.95 a month. If you did buy the new one bundled, then your first machine would be at $6.95. It would be like getting 3 tuners for the price of 2 (with monthly pricing).

Of course, a third tuner just may not be for you.

[RawisTheGameHhH]

A couple of questions......

Do you have lifetime service on the 540 Series 2? It won't transfer over. If you have monthly, it should be easy to activate the new TiVO and deactivate the other. You can do it over the phone, but it might be much easier for you to do it online at TiVo with "Manage My Account".

https://www3.tivo.com/tivo-mma/login/show.do?cams_security_domain=tivocom&cams_login_config=http&cams_original_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww3.tivo.com%3A443%2Ftivo-mma%2Foverview.do

However, though you say you don't want another TiVo, assuming you are paying monthly, the new TiVo (assuming you did not buy it bundled from TiVo) would only be another $6.95 a month. If you did buy the new one bundled, then your first machine would be at $6.95. It would be like getting 3 tuners for the price of 2 (with monthly pricing).

Of course, a third tuner just may not be for you.

I have monthly service @ 12.95 on my current unit, sorry bout that

[RawisTheGameHhH]

so on the manage my account page, do i use Activate or Upgrade TiVo Service link to add my new TiVo and remove my old TiVo?

[jlb]

First, make sure you have set up a login on the TiVo website. You need to have that and associate it with your current TiVo Service # to be able to do things with MMA. The line you posted...."Activate or Upgrade TiVo Service link "....I believe is the link on the MMA home page that you see before you log in to your account.

I took a quick peek on TiVo's site and to "cancel" I think you have to call customer support. However, I think you can just "transfer" your service from your older TiVo to the newer TiVo using the below link at MMA. IIRC, "transferring" your service to another box with this methodology effectively cancels the service on the other box.

https://www3.tivo.com/tivo-mma/dvrchange.do

The help screen about this:

http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv090701.htm?

Let me/us know how it goes........

[elrcastor]

if you use the "Change TiVo Service Number" in manage my account you can "transfer the service" from your old tivo to your new one, but of course you can't transfer lifetime.

[RawisTheGameHhH]

thanks guys! this should be enough info for me!

[dmullig]

I also want to switch to a Dual Tuner Tivo, but my 540 Series 2 has a few months left on the first-year contract. If I do get a DT, I'm guessing that I'll be stuck paying $12.95 (monthly pricing) for each Tivo until the first-year contract ends. Is that true?

[etemple]

I also want to switch to a Dual Tuner Tivo, but my 540 Series 2 has a few months left on the first-year contract. If I do get a DT, I'm guessing that I'll be stuck paying $12.95 (monthly pricing) for each Tivo until the first-year contract ends. Is that true?

No.

Once you buy the new DT (I'd suggest checking out the MOPS accomodation program in another thread which allows you to get an 80hr DT for $155), your current subscription will get knocked down to $6.95/month, so it will have a bit more life left in it.

There's no way to just apply those months to a new tivo, but assuming you want to keep the old one active, it only costs $6.95 to keep it going, not $12.95.

If you don't want to keep it active, you can just cancel (but they won't refund your money).

[etemple]

I am going to purchase a Dual Tuner TiVo early next week and currently own a 540 Series 2. I do not want 2 TiVos's, I just want to transfer my service over from my old TiVo to the new Dual Tuner TiVo. Can i do this online or must i call customer service? Thanks!

Probably the best thing to do would be to order the new DT and once it is up and running, call CSR to cancel the old tivo.

[timckelley]

Both my TiVos are lifetime, so I guess I won't be switching service to the DT models. :(

I guess I'll just live with my old ST series 2 and series 1 TiVos.

[jlb]

I'm waiting to see what the pricing is on the S3 (outright and bundled). I would consider that, even with HD and an HDTV at this point. A DT might be good for me, and would be cheaper than running my two ST S2s for the year. However, the decision factor is pricing on S3, possibility of ComcasTiVo on some horizon, and how soon it would be before getting an HDTV. If that timeframe is more than 1 year, then a DT might be good now. If HDTV is 6-9 months on the horizon, then I should not do a DT and get an S3, again depending on pricing........

[dmullig]

No.

Once you buy the new DT (I'd suggest checking out the MOPS accomodation program in another thread which allows you to get an 80hr DT for $155), your current subscription will get knocked down to $6.95/month, so it will have a bit more life left in it.

There's no way to just apply those months to a new tivo, but assuming you want to keep the old one active, it only costs $6.95 to keep it going, not $12.95.

If you don't want to keep it active, you can just cancel (but they won't refund your money).


That would be great if I can do that.

I've been reading about the MOPS deal, which is why I don't want to wait until my first-year commitment ends. I'm just not sure if the $12.95/month I'm paying now is required per the contract, or if it can be dropped to $6.95. I got this Tivo during the JcPenny deal, where the Tivo Box was free along with a free 3-month subscription. That was before the package deals started, but can it be dropped to $6.95? I suppose I can get the MOPS deal, then always cancel if it can't be dropped, but that would be too sad sending the DT back.

We don't have HD, and I don't see us getting HD any time soon, so no reason for me to wait for the S3.

[ZeoTiVo]

That would be great if I can do that.

I've been reading about the MOPS deal, which is why I don't want to wait until my first-year commitment ends. I'm just not sure if the $12.95/month I'm paying now is required per the contract, or if it can be dropped to $6.95. I got this Tivo during the JcPenny deal, where the Tivo Box was free along with a free 3-month subscription. That was before the package deals started, but can it be dropped to $6.95? I suppose I can get the MOPS deal, then always cancel if it can't be dropped, but that would be too sad sending the DT back.

We don't have HD, and I don't see us getting HD any time soon, so no reason for me to wait for the S3.


The JC Penny deal was over a good while ago. You will drop to 6.95 automatically if you get a MOPS deal

[Chew]

Rather than start a new thread, I'm going to post my question here. :)

I've had a Series 1 with Lifetime for about 6 years now. Late last year, I scored a good deal on the Toshiba DVD Recorder with free TiVo Basic. I upgraded to the full service back in mid-January 2006. Being a second box, it's $6.95 per month.

Today, I bought an open box 140gb Series 2 TiVo at a local electronics store for $50.

What I would like to do is transfer the full service from the Recorder to the open box unit.

Can I do that despite the fact that the one year contract isn't up?
Will my Toshiba Recorder automatically revert back to Basic service? (this is what I'm hoping will happen)

[jfh3]

What I would like to do is transfer the full service from the Recorder to the open box unit.

Can I do that despite the fact that the one year contract isn't up?


Yes.


Will my Toshiba Recorder automatically revert back to Basic service? (this is what I'm hoping will happen)

It should.

Call Tivo to be sure on both counts.

[mattsledge]

I am going to purchase a Dual Tuner TiVo early next week and currently own a 540 Series 2. I do not want 2 TiVos's, I just want to transfer my service over from my old TiVo to the new Dual Tuner TiVo. Can i do this online or must i call customer service? Thanks!
Thanks for asking this question, and the replies. I am in the exact situation, as I ordered my DT from TiVo on Friday night and this answered my questions. Now I just wait for the sucker to arrive...

[bkdtv]

Haven't seen this question answered before...

If you are one of the few that have a Tivo account with $6.95/mo service, can you swap out a new box and remain on that pricing schedule? Or does changing the service number automatically up you to $12.95/mo?

[mick66]

Haven't seen this question answered before...

If you are one of the few that have a Tivo account with $6.95/mo service, can you swap out a new box and remain on that pricing schedule? Or does changing the service number automatically up you to $12.95/mo?

Many of us are paying the $6.95 rate. The only mention of the $6.95/mo rate in this thread is on a 2nd Tivo on an account. The MSD (multi service discount) is the reason for the lower rate.

[ViTo2]

The Dual Tuners are NOT ALL THAT! On the second tuner all you can receive is analog channels 1-99, and you can acheive the same thing by using an RF splitter, and have one cable line go to your cable box, and then to tivo unit, and then to TV, via Composite, or Component in, and have the other line going straight in to you TV! This way you can record a program on digital, and watch someting else in analog! As far as recording on the second tuner! Why would you want to record something in analog, when you can record it in digital! I am sure that the program will come on again, unless it is a TV series, or sitcom! Anyway, according to tivo, the series 3 will have the same format: One Digtal, and one Analog (1-99) tuner!

[ZeoTiVo]

The Dual Tuners are NOT ALL THAT! On the second tuner all you can receive is analog channels 1-99, and you can acheive the same thing by using an RF splitter, and have one cable line go to your cable box, and then to tivo unit, and then to TV, via Composite, or Component in, and have the other line going straight in to you TV! This way you can record a program on digital, and watch someting else in analog! As far as recording on the second tuner! Why would you want to record something in analog, when you can record it in digital! I am sure that the program will come on again, unless it is a TV series, or sitcom! Anyway, according to tivo, the series 3 will have the same format: One Digtal, and one Analog (1-99) tuner!

you need to do more reading and less posting - the above is silly and also not correct.

the setup you propose is watch the analog live vs record the analog. what the heck picture quality difference or benefit is there? And I am glad you are sure it will be on later but I will go with my guide data and not wait for reruns. PLus on a DT there is no digital recording - only the output from the STB.

The S3 will record two digital channels at the same time given 2 cable cards or one multi-stream cable card.

[megazone]

This way you can record a program on digital, and watch someting else in analog! As far as recording on the second tuner! Why would you want to record something in analog, when you can record it in digital!You clearly don't know what the heck you're talking about.

Most digital cable systems are not truly digital, they're hybrid. ALL content up to channel 100 is analog, above 100 is digital. So you can NEVER record anything 100 or lower as 'digital'. Even if you use the cable box, that's still analog - you're just using the analog tuner in the box instead of the analog tuner in the TiVo. Most users will get a better picture using the tuner in the TiVo because it goes directly from the tuner the the encoder, with on external analog feeds.

So with an S2DT you can record 2 analog channels at the same time, or one digital and one analog. And you can watch a recording while doing either of these. You cannot do that with any single tuner DVR, no matter how you wire it.

Anyway, according to tivo, the series 3 will have the same format: One Digtal, and one Analog (1-99) tuner!This is incorrect. The S3 will have two tuner blocks, both capable of NTSC, ATSC, analog cable, and digital cable. It will also have two CableCARD slots to decrypt digital cable.

[Jonathan_S]

You clearly don't know what the heck you're talking about.

Most digital cable systems are not truly digital, they're hybrid. ALL content up to channel 100 is analog, above 100 is digital. So you can NEVER record anything 100 or lower as 'digital'. Even if you use the cable box, that's still analog - you're just using the analog tuner in the box instead of the analog tuner in the TiVo. Most users will get a better picture using the tuner in the TiVo because it goes directly from the tuner the the encoder, with on external analog feeds.Some digital cable systems do digital simulcast of the analog channels and the cable box is smart enough to change to the digital simulcast channel for FOX when the user requests the analog FOX channel.

That can make it appear that the channels below 100 are digital, and if the digital simulcast signal is better than the analog, it makes the signal on the TiVo (which actually records the real analog and not the digital simulcast) look worse than the "same" channel on the cable box.

[megazone]

Yes, some do - which is why I qualified my statements. If you have such a system then you may be better off removing the channel form the internal list and forcing it to use the box - understanding you sacrifice some conflict avoidance.