Transfer S1 or S2 lifetime to S3 for $199!!!

[cwoody222]

I stand corrected.

However, the poster here said he doesn't pay TiVo a dime and instead pays DirecTV $6/mo. So his unit, at least, is NOT a lifetime unit.

[technojunkie]

Well I held off until I actually read the offer on TiVo's web site and now I know we've been had. Some offer. They sell us a box at list with no opportunity to buy it locally and they are going to let us put life time service on it. How nice :mad: . I'm insulted by this. I've been a loyal TiVo owners since 2000 and own 3 units with lifetime service. Too bad you didn't make this a reasonable offer. Like buy a Series 3 at list price ($799) and we'll throw in life time service for free. Now that would have been a deal. This is sad...very sad. :(

[Ereth]

The D*Tivo "Lifetime Membership" got transferred from the box to the account. I had one of the original Sony DTivos with Lifetime. When DTV took it over, the line item moved off the box and onto the "DVR Service". That particular Tivo died earlier this year (hard drive failure) and when I turned it off, DTV had to re-arrange things (because it was my first DTV receiver) but the Lifetime Service is still on my DTV account.

When you check "Manage My Account" the DTivos don't show up there (they used to before DTV took over the billing). I am quite positive that you wouldn't be able to transfer Lifetime from a DTivo to the Series 3 simply because TiVo doesn't "own" that Lifetime subscription any longer, DirecTV does.

[Ereth]

Well I held off until I actually read the offer on TiVo's web site and now I know we've been had. Some offer. They sell us a box at list with no opportunity to buy it locally and they are going to let us put life time service on it. How nice :mad: . I'm insulted by this. I've been a loyal TiVo owners since 2000 and own 3 units with lifetime service. Too bad you didn't make this a reasonable offer. Like buy a Series 3 at list price ($799) and we'll throw in life time service for free. Now that would have been a deal. This is sad...very sad. :(

You'll have to help me out. I don't understand this attitude.

You can buy a Series 3, same as anybody else. The fact that they AREN'T giving you Lifetime for free is "sad"? Why? Why would you expect that they would.

Lifetime is gone. You can't buy it anymore. Here's a chance to transfer Lifetime from an older system, without any of the more recent features, to a new, state-of-the-art system. When they turned Lifetime off, people were in here saying how much they wanted Lifetime on the Series 3 and how they'd never turn their Series 1/2 off now. This is a win/win. The customer can get the new product AND get Lifetime on it, and TiVo gets to get those old boxes that can't do their new functionality out of the system.

They could have just let you buy the Series 3 and not offered Lifetime at all. So in that regard, this IS a deal. And one I fully intend to take advantage of.

[technojunkie]

Get seroius dude. The price on this thing will be $499 in no time, probably $399! And you pay them $199 for lifetime. No thank you! That is a royal abuse of early adopters. What a privilege!

[bicker]

I'm insulted by this.That's silly. :rolleyes:

Why do people think it makes sense to take business offers personally? Let's come back to Planet Earth, please.

[TK421]

I'm sorry. Where again on the site does it say you have to do this?

[eisenb11]

And who says that BB won't be selling the S3 for $799 too?

As for the price dropping over time... every single electronic gizmo on the market does this. Price starts high and goes down - more the longer you wait.

So yeah, the early adopters will get burned the worst. But I think I speak for all early adopters when I say "we're expecting that".

It's not a Tivo-only thing. You early adopt and pay the highest price - the price can only go down from there.

I bought an $800 Tivo and fully expect that I'll have paid more than people who buy it in a year or two or three from now.

But you know what? When they get their cheaper Tivo, I'll have been using mine for 1, 2, 3 years before they got the thing for $400.

Unless they drop the price from $800 to $600 within the first few months your price argument about early-adopters getting screwed is pretty moot.

[Ereth]

Get seroius dude. The price on this thing will be $499 in no time, probably $399! And you pay them $199 for lifetime. No thank you! That is a royal abuse of early adopters. What a privilege!

The good news, of course, is that nobody is putting a gun to your head to force you to be an early adopter.

Some of us are willing to pay for the priviledge. My HDTV cost $3500 when I bought it and you can buy it today for about $1500. Should I feel screwed? Not at all. I got to watch HDTV for the last 3 years.

And when the Series 3 comes down, I'll feel the same way.

[bicker]

The HDTV I bought when it was released in early June for $2195 is now selling someplaces for $1700. That's the way things like that go.

[Fraser+Dief]

A short term offer is far better than no offer.......

Sounds to me like you need to complain to whatever canadian provider you have to get cablecards. It is not Tivo's problem.....

Hardly. This deal is so short that it's almost meaningless. And now it's even more restricted by limiting it to direct customers only.

"All customers are equal, but some are more equal than others."

Also the units will still work with a single cable (coax) and an antenna connection (coax). They may not be HD, but you could still use the unit until your cable provider uses cablecards. Here in the states it is mandated that the cable providers supply cablecards (and support them).

Actually, since Tivo stupidly took the IR blaster out of the system, no I can't just buy one anyway and use it until/if Cablecard arrives. No ability to drive a cable box = incompatible with millions of Canadian households.

[eisenb11]

Um, you do know that if you need to drive a cable box you're barking up the wrong tree with the S3 right?

The whole point of HD DVRs is that they have direct access to the incoming signal.

If you're driving a cable box, you're not getting the raw signal, which actually makes things a lot more complicated (and expensive) to implement DVR functionality.

Think of the processing power you'd need to be able to encode 1080i from a analog composite output, for example, in real time.

If you're after HD, you must be able to record direct from the source. This is how a cable HD DVR works, the satellite HD DVRs, and now the Tivo HD DVR. The Microsoft DVRs will also use cable card in order to do this. Any other way and it's not feasible.

So:

1. If you want to record HD from an externals HD STB the technology for what you want isn't there.

2. If you want to use the S3 for standard def TV you might as well buy a cheaper S1/S2 unit.

It seems to me a lot of people don't understand the purpose of the S3 in the grander scheme of things.

[Shawn95GT]

Actually, since Tivo stupidly took the IR blaster out of the system, no I can't just buy one anyway and use it until/if Cablecard arrives. No ability to drive a cable box = incompatible with millions of Canadian households.
What would you gain over a S2 single tuner then? Or a S2DT if you have any analog cable channels. Since it can't input HD from a box it's moot.

While I would have liked to see a SD input and IR blasters on the S3, I understand why they didn't.

FWIW, I have an S3 on the way and my Cable system comes into the house via Cat-5 (VDSL). This neccesitates a STB and a Tivo to control it. My S2 still has a purpose. It would have been nice to let the S3 do it all, but for now the S2 will do for cable channels.

[loubob57]

I just ordered an S3 w/2-day shipping. Total came to $877.16. Will I feel screwed when they only cost $400 in a year or two? Nope, I know what I'm getting into so you won't hear any whining from me! :)

[bicker]

Um, you do know that if you need to drive a cable box you're barking up the wrong tree with the S3 right?

The whole point of HD DVRs is that they have direct access to the incoming signal.The "whole point" of HD DVRs is to record HD programming for playback at a later time. Where that programming comes from, and how "direct" or "indirect" access to the incoming signal is, are not, in any way, shape or form, the "whole point" of HD DVRs.

It seems to me a lot of people don't understand the purpose of the S3 in the grander scheme of things.Rather, the S3 may not be able to satisfy the needs of a large portion of their potential customer base.

[ThreeSoFar]

This is pretty cool.

Glad I held onto an extra lifetimed S2 or two.

Do we know yet if we can do this with/for two lifetimed S3s (each transferred from its own lifetimed S2)?

[dheerema]

$1000 for a S3 with lifetime, free S2 service for a year and presumably $6.95/month thereafter ain't too bad...

I wonder if some people who bought Lifetime gift cards off of ebay will be pissed.

You need to consider though that the street price of your S1 or S2 with lifetime just went to zero.

-Doug

[ThreeSoFar]

You need to consider though that the street price of your S1 or S2 with lifetime just went to zero.

-Doug
I disagree.

How many folks out there would like a lifetimed series 3 and would pay for the S2 to transfer?

Might have gone down, but not to 0.

[Leo_N]

The "whole point" of HD DVRs is to record HD programming for playback at a later time. Where that programming comes from, and how "direct" or "indirect" access to the incoming signal is, are not, in any way, shape or form, the "whole point" of HD DVRs.

You're splitting hairs here, maybe the quoted "whole point" should have said the "key" to HD DVRs is being able to have direct access to the raw digital signal. It would be extremely cost prohibitive to have to try an encode an HD signal.

The people b***hing at the $800 price tag would probably be struck dumb by the price if they had 2 encoders in the S3 capable of HD programming.

[dheerema]

I disagree.

How many folks out there would like a lifetimed series 3 and would pay for the S2 to transfer?

Might have gone down, but not to 0.

On ebay, a S1 SVR2000 with lifetime has recently sold for $350.00. A SVR 2000 without lifetime goes for 30 or 40 bucks. (Basically used for parts to keep lifetime units running)

Now I have a lifetime sub card I paid $600 bucks for. I could buy a unit for $800, and add $600 for $1400. On the other hand I could buy an S3 for $800, then spen another $200 to transfer lifetime, then loose another $300 for the reduced value of my S1 (total cost $1300)

I think I will wait for the S3 to come down, then use my gift card. I will still get a couple hundred for my S1. They will probably offer another Lifetime transfer when the S4 comes out! I'm sure they would be thrilled to get rid of the S1's out there.

[ThreeSoFar]

On ebay, a S1 SVR2000 with lifetime has recently sold for $350.00. A SVR 2000 without lifetime goes for 30 or 40 bucks. (Basically used for parts to keep lifetime units running)

Now I have a lifetime sub card I paid $600 bucks for. I could buy a unit for $800, and add $600 for $1400. On the other hand I could buy an S3 for $800, then spen another $200 to transfer lifetime, then loose another $300 for the reduced value of my S1 (total cost $1300)

I think I will wait for the S3 to come down, then use my gift card. I will still get a couple hundred for my S1. They will probably offer another Lifetime transfer when the S4 comes out! I'm sure they would be thrilled to get rid of the S1's out there.
Ah...yes, the one from which you transfer the lifetime (which is no longer lifetimed at all) is now worth much much less. Yes. I misunderstood you at first.

But any that retain their lifetime still have their value, I'd say close to what they had before.

[dheerema]

Ah...yes, the one from which you transfer the lifetime (which is no longer lifetimed at all) is now worth much much less. Yes. I misunderstood you at first.

But any that retain their lifetime still have their value, I'd say close to what they had before.

I think I will see how ling I can keep m S1 on life support. It has been absolutely perfect for 6 years now. Besides, I love the remote. I hate the penut shaped one on the S2. Always pointing the damned thing at myself.....

[Mr. Laser Beam]

They also throw in an additional 12 months of service on the existing box when you pick this option..

What if I don't WANT any more service on the existing box? (I only have one TV.) Can I cancel the old box completely?

[Leo_N]

What if I don't WANT any more service on the existing box? (I only have one TV.) Can I cancel the old box completely?

I'd imagine you could, but why? It's free for a year. Why not let it run for 364 days and then not renew, just in case you decide you want to use it for standard def stuff or even if you just use it as a music player from mp3's on a computer or any of the other HME apps.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'd imagine you could, but why? It's free for a year.

It's also useless to me. Remember, I only have one TV.

Why not let it run for 364 days and then not renew

I shouldn't have to do that. If I *know* I will just be throwing away the old unit, why can't I do that right away? It doesn't make sense.

And besides, if I "don't renew", then it won't just stop - it'll start charging a monthly fee. I definitely don't want THAT.

just in case you decide you want to use it for standard def stuff

The S3 can record SD stuff, can't it?

or even if you just use it as a music player from mp3's on a computer or any of the other HME apps.

The S3 can also do those things as well.

[bidger]

It's also useless to me. Remember, I only have one TV.
OK, you've got one TV, does it only have one input?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

OK, you've got one TV, does it only have one input?

No, it's got several, but I prefer not to have boxes I know I won't use. It just takes up space.

Besides, the S3 can record two shows at once; why would I ever need anything else?

[Leo_N]

It's also useless to me. Remember, I only have one TV.



I shouldn't have to do that. If I *know* I will just be throwing away the old unit, why can't I do that right away? It doesn't make sense.

And besides, if I "don't renew", then it won't just stop - it'll start charging a monthly fee. I definitely don't want THAT.



The S3 can record SD stuff, can't it?



The S3 can also do those things as well.

Sorry didn't notice having one TV. And yes, the S3 can do almost everything the S3 can except: no TivoToGo or MRV; granted MRV wouldn't do you any good without another Tivo anyway. However, having the other Tivo still there and hooked up would give you the extra option of a 3rd tuner for any scheduling conflicts.

Also, you could use the older Tivo for something like the music player in a room you don't watch tv in, like the garage, basement or the like. Granted you would need another tv to control it just to see whats going on with button pushing, but you wouldn't need more than a tiny 13" or something you could find for like $10 used.

I do see your point about not ever wanting to get charged, but even if you forget once, its just 6.95 and then you remember to call and cancel it. Or write it on a calendar now so you don't forget later next year.

Sorry to ramble on, just some options.

[Ereth]

Besides, the S3 can record two shows at once; why would I ever need anything else?
Oh, I long for the days when I thought that way!

Right now I can record, lets see.. 4 HDTV OTA sources, 4 satellite sources (2 of which could be HDTV) and one analog cable TV source, simultaneously. I actually have more tuners than that, because one box needs multiple tuners to be able to record two shows simultaneously from multiple inputs. And, I'll grant you, I don't think I ever record 9 things at once. But two? I exceeded that ability a LONG time ago.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Also, you could use the older Tivo for something like the music player in a room you don't watch tv in, like the garage, basement or the like. Granted you would need another tv to control it just to see whats going on with button pushing, but you wouldn't need more than a tiny 13" or something you could find for like $10 used.

Why not just get a boom box?

[eisenb11]

The "whole point" of HD DVRs is to record HD programming for playback at a later time. Where that programming comes from, and how "direct" or "indirect" access to the incoming signal is, are not, in any way, shape or form, the "whole point" of HD DVRs.

Rather, the S3 may not be able to satisfy the needs of a large portion of their potential customer base.

I'm going to take it that you're not an engineer?

You sorta decided to ignore what I posted after that. How "direct" or "indirect" we get the incoming signal is 100% important. I'll highlight some of the key phrases here in hopes that you see them this time.

There is a huge difference in processing power required in order to encode a datastream than to decode a data stream. Encoding takes a lot more power.

A HD DVR takes a datastream that's already encoded. It's being sent straight from the cable company. This already encoded data stream is saved to the hard drive (most likely with some form of DRM scheme). When the HD DVR plays back the recording it is merely performing a decoding operation (remember these are "cheap" to do).

A STB also reads encoded data from the cable company and decodes it before it's sending the data out the DVI, HDMI, component, or whatever output.

If a HD DVR was to hook up to the STB it would have to take this decoded data and reencode it. It won't save it as raw data because the amount of space it would eat up would be enormous.

So what you ask is not technically feasable.

If you think $800 for a S3 is bad, how would you feel about paying $3,000 for a S3 that can accept and re-encode HD output from a STB?

It's going to take a ridiculous amount of processing power in order to encode a HD data stream in real time.

You might as well complain that the S3 can't brew coffee while you're at it.

[btwyx]

Not forgetting the reencoding will degrade the video quaity.

[DCIFRTHS]

...You might as well complain that the S3 can't brew coffee while you're at it.

I heard that the S4 will have a port for the external and optional Mr. Coffee 3000 ;)

[eisenb11]

I heard that the S4 will have a port for the external and optional Mr. Coffee 3000 ;)

Wow nice! Is that part of the new CC 3.0.2 spec I've been hearing about? :D

[Deacon West]

That's child's play. For my money, the S4 at $4000 retail is a bargain as it will also press your clothes and do the dishes. I've also heard about some hacks for additional functionality, but I'll leave that to posters in the appropriate forum to discuss.

[eisenb11]

Ah, so that's what that new "slot" in the S4 is for....

[russwong]

This is not true, I record HD from an HD STB MOTO6200 using firewire to my MCE.

Um, you do know that if you need to drive a cable box you're barking up the wrong tree with the S3 right?

The whole point of HD DVRs is that they have direct access to the incoming signal.

If you're driving a cable box, you're not getting the raw signal, which actually makes things a lot more complicated (and expensive) to implement DVR functionality.

Think of the processing power you'd need to be able to encode 1080i from a analog composite output, for example, in real time.

If you're after HD, you must be able to record direct from the source. This is how a cable HD DVR works, the satellite HD DVRs, and now the Tivo HD DVR. The Microsoft DVRs will also use cable card in order to do this. Any other way and it's not feasible.

So:

1. If you want to record HD from an externals HD STB the technology for what you want isn't there.

2. If you want to use the S3 for standard def TV you might as well buy a cheaper S1/S2 unit.

It seems to me a lot of people don't understand the purpose of the S3 in the grander scheme of things.

[eisenb11]

This is not true, I record HD from an HD STB MOTO6200 using firewire to my MCE.

True, got me there... however, this is by a technicality.

Firewire is a digital data transfer link that can transfer data "as is". So your STB is outputting the same encoded signal it gets via the cable outlet to the MCE machine.

Firewire, however, is not a HDCP certified output. As such, the whole thing becomes moot if viewing HDCP protected content - which, eventually, pretty much everything is supposed to be.

Back to my original argument, my argument stands true still with any of the true video outputs (remember firewire, while used for video, is actually just a generic data transfer mechanism). The information from the MSO must be decoded in order to be sent through the composite out (and converted to analog). Likewise, it must also be decoded in order to be sent through the DVI or HDMI out.

DRM is killer and enabling HDCP will instantly kill Firewire (at least as implemented today).

[bicker]

You're splitting hairs here, maybe the quoted "whole point" should have said the "key"No -- it is the difference between what matters to the market and what matters to the technology -- what makes the product valueable and what is necessary for the product to provide that value.

The people b***hing at the $800 price tag would probably be struck dumb by the price if they had 2 encoders in the S3 capable of HD programming.No doubt that's part of it. The reality is that we're used to technology being cheap. Heck, there are computers that cost $300, now, so I think a lot of people cannot comprehend how one special-purpose processor can cost cost two or three times as much as a whole computer. And they'd have a point.

[bicker]

I'm going to take it that you're not an engineer?I take it that you rely on confrontational rudeness to make your points.

Yes, I am an engineer.

You sorta decided to ignore what I posted after that.Rather, I disagreed with its relevance to what I was saying.

[Brett]

What if I don't WANT any more service on the existing box? (I only have one TV.) Can I cancel the old box completely?


I believe it said in the terms/conditions, you can cancel the service on the old box after 60 days.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I believe it said in the terms/conditions, you can cancel the service on the old box after 60 days.

Why do they make you wait 60 days?

[Brett]

Why do they make you wait 60 days?

I have no idea, maybe they are hoping people will get used to and and just want to keep it, or they will forget to cancel and keep it, so when a year hits they can start charging you the monthly fee.


Cancellation of only the 1-year contract on the old DVR while still transferring the Product Lifetime Service to the new Series3 HD DVR will be permitted, but only after 60 days of service for both boxes have elapsed. Cancellations on the 1-year contract will not result in refund of the $199 transfer fee. All other warranty replacement costs still apply to the old DVR.


its all here (www.tivo.com/vip).

[TK421]

I have no idea, maybe they are hoping people will get used to and and just want to keep it, or they will forget to cancel and keep it, so when a year hits they can start charging you the monthly fee.


Cancellation of only the 1-year contract on the old DVR while still transferring the Product Lifetime Service to the new Series3 HD DVR will be permitted, but only after 60 days of service for both boxes have elapsed. Cancellations on the 1-year contract will not result in refund of the $199 transfer fee. All other warranty replacement costs still apply to the old DVR.


its all here (www.tivo.com/vip).

I think from one of TiVoJerry's other posts, it's to make sure the transfer all goes smoothly, in case you need in warranty replacement or something along those lines. The actual status of your boxes doesn't change for the first 30 days.

[Leo_N]

True, got me there... however, this is by a technicality.

Firewire is a digital data transfer link that can transfer data "as is". So your STB is outputting the same encoded signal it gets via the cable outlet to the MCE machine.

Firewire, however, is not a HDCP certified output. As such, the whole thing becomes moot if viewing HDCP protected content - which, eventually, pretty much everything is supposed to be.

Back to my original argument, my argument stands true still with any of the true video outputs (remember firewire, while used for video, is actually just a generic data transfer mechanism). The information from the MSO must be decoded in order to be sent through the composite out (and converted to analog). Likewise, it must also be decoded in order to be sent through the DVI or HDMI out.

DRM is killer and enabling HDCP will instantly kill Firewire (at least as implemented today).

And on top of what eisen said: There is NO way CableLabs would have certified the Tivo to use cablecards if you could dump the complete digital stream that easy.

[IJustLikeTivo]

Yeah, those Humax boxes are pricer than I'd hoped - I hadn't looked that up before my last post. OTOH, my two hacked S2 DTivo boxes might have some value for folks who are sticking with DirecTV for a while. They're both Zippered and expanded, and I understand that such units are getting a bit scarce. I might be able to make back some of the difference on E-Bay.

Zippered? What does that mean?

On Topic. I'm on the fence. I have three lifetime units. One Sony series one, one phillips series one and a sony Dtivo series one. The issue for me is stay with D* or give up and move to cable. I have no real loyalty to D* so when I move to HD, I can go whichever direction makes more sense. My only hesitation was losing dual tuners and now they have answered that.

[IJustLikeTivo]

I seriously doubt this will work for DTiVo units as the billing portion of the DTiVo units was transfered to DirecTV a long time ago.

Dan

I think they have to honor this since the deal was with TiVo not D* but I'm only guessing.

[vman41]

I didn't spot any warranty information listed under the S3's features or specifications, I assume it is the same 90 warranty as the S2s.

If I get a 1 year service contract, they apparently extend the parts warranty to cover the contract period. If I transfer lifetime to the S3 from a S2, the S2 gets the warrany extension.

[Jonathan_S]

Zippered? What does that mean?
Hacked.
Specifically, Zipper is a script that automates much of the hacking needed to make Series 2 DTiVos network enabled and configured to support multi-room viewing. (Just like the S2 SA units can).

[blipszyc]

Noticed this fine print on the www.tivo.com/vip page:

Offer Terms and Conditions

1. Tivo® Series3TM HD DVR purchase required by 12/31/2006 and activation of the DVR is required by 01/31/2007. Series3 HD DVR must be purchased through TiVo.com. DVRs purchased through retail channels are not eligible.
How will they verify this? I guess I'll wait and check back to see how the tranfer process works. Hopefully someone here will report back on the questions that the CSR asks so I can buy my S3 at WorstBuy and finally get rid of my giftcards.

[MichaelK]

Why do they make you wait 60 days?


it says someplcae that they have to do the transfer manually and it might take 60 days.

I assume they are afraid of screwing up your acocunt if you make changes before they transfer the lifetime.

Just a guess

[eisenb11]

I take it that you rely on confrontational rudeness to make your points.

Yes, I am an engineer.

Rather, I disagreed with its relevance to what I was saying.

No intention to be rude, and my points were made a long time ago, I've just had to retype them over and over again for you. If you're an electrical or computer engineer these points should be obvious (if civil or mechanical maybe not so obvious).

In regard to your new comment of costs of dedicated devices, look at it in terms of yield. It's quite feasable for a small run of dedicated hardware to cause much more than mass produced products.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tivo hardware had FPGAs involved. FPGAs are expensive as well. Then you have the cost of the custom chassis, remote, etc, etc...

Someone asked in another thread about how much it really costs to make one of these $800 Tivos.

Assuming that BestBuy really is buying them for $500 (which is possible), then obviously, the answer is less than that. If I had to guess, I'd gander that it costs around $400 to make the $800 Tivo.

One hell of a markup, yes, but that's the "early adopter tax" for ya.

In time the price will come down, I'd bet money on that.

[IJustLikeTivo]

No.

Lifetime subscription is a one-time payment to TiVo in the hundreds-of-dollars range.

D*TiVo's weren't eligible for lifetime subs anyway.

Sure they were, I have one. I did buy it almost 6 years ago and I pay nothing for Tivo service on that unit or my other DTivo. In fact, I have no monthly tivo costs since the other two units also have lifetime.

[btwyx]

Firewire, however, is not a HDCP certified output. As such, the whole thing becomes moot if viewing HDCP protected contentIf your look at Camcast's FAQ What is FireWire? (http://www.comcast.com/customers/faq/FaqDetails.ashx?ID=2542) it says that "HDCP copy protection is enabled." Which confused me a little, but it could mean that if there's HDCP, you don't get output.

FireWire does have a copy protection scheme (5C) which the FireWire people say is just as good.

[eisenb11]

If your look at Camcast's FAQ What is FireWire? (http://www.comcast.com/customers/faq/FaqDetails.ashx?ID=2542) it says that "HDCP copy protection is enabled." Which confused me a little, but it could mean that if there's HDCP, you don't get output.

FireWire does have a copy protection scheme (5C) which the FireWire people say is just as good.

Yeah, it's hard to tell for sure what they mean.

My take on the "HDCP is enabled" is that it is in regards to their digital cable service and not the firewire port in particular (see the heading of where it says that).

If the STB truly supports HDCP the content has the right to insist that it be downgraded (or not sent at all) if going through a non-HDCP-compliant output.

While 5c may be just as good, it's not HDCP. With HDCP the signal is supposed to be protected via HDCP through every device in the chain. Firewire would break that requirement because then it would either be non-encrypted or encoded via 5C which is not HDCP.

One thing I do wonder, however, would be if it is possible to make a HDCP-compliant Firewire port? I don't see why not, although who really knows...

HDCP is a pain in everyone's rear-end. I think it should be the posterboy to show the world how restrictive-DRM technologies do little more than kill innovation and drive everyone crazy.

[megazone]

How will they verify this?Easily. You have to order via a special form, and they know exactly which TSN is shipped to you. Anyone trying to transfer to a TSN not on the list must not have purchased it from the VIP page.

[Deacon West]

Apparently, they don't really care, at least not a whole lot right now.

The official word is what's in the Terms and Conditions: Officially only Series3 units purchased directly from TiVo.com will qualify.

However, even though we're not obligated to accept retail orders for this offer, my understanding is that if you call customer support and ask for the offer, in most cases we will honor the offer.

If the Series3 unit you're trying to transfer to is already activated, then our customer support agents will not be able to help you unless the service is first canceled. (Since there's a 30-day money back guarantee, act fast and make sure you cancel within 30 days.)

[phrend]

If the S3 could control 2+ DishNetwork boxes via IR-Blaster, I'd buy it in a heartbeat... but I guess I'm just screwed in to keeping my S1 and missing out on this deal.

[ThreeSoFar]

Finally have lifetime showing up in my first Series 3. Transferred as soon as option was available (September?).

My second one, not yet.

Third one is on the way from Dell now....

[Deacon West]

My second S3 arrived late tonight from DHL. (about 8PM) Thanks Dell and thanks to the OP who told us about the deal. My love for the TCF continues.

[replaytv]

How do you read the code on the back of Series 1 Tivo to know when it was manufactured? Mine says 0 18-05-00. I know that doesn't tell if the lifetime can be transferred, but if it was manufactured after the 'drop dead' date in Januaray 2000 then I would know that it doesn't qualify. I know that somewhere I read or was told how to read these codes but can't find it anywhere. I have a couple more Series 1 with lifetime too. It sure would be nice to be able to transfer the lifetime to a new box.

[joneSi]

How do you read the code on the back of Series 1 Tivo to know when it was manufactured? Mine says 0 18-05-00. I know that doesn't tell if the lifetime can be transferred, but if it was manufactured after the 'drop dead' date in Januaray 2000 then I would know that it doesn't qualify. I know that somewhere I read or was told how to read these codes but can't find it anywhere. I have a couple more Series 1 with lifetime too. It sure would be nice to be able to transfer the lifetime to a new box.


I am going to commend you for searching, because clearly that is how you found this thread...that being said, this thread is 5+ years old now. I don't know what the current deals are with TiVo, but you might call to see if they would help you out with a transfer.

j

[HerronScott]

I would say that is May 18, 2000 so it would not qualify for the grandfathered free lifetime transfer. Mine has 0 06-04-00 and I got it for Father's Day in 2000. :)

Scott

[unitron]

How do you read the code on the back of Series 1 Tivo to know when it was manufactured? Mine says 0 18-05-00. I know that doesn't tell if the lifetime can be transferred, but if it was manufactured after the 'drop dead' date in Januaray 2000 then I would know that it doesn't qualify. I know that somewhere I read or was told how to read these codes but can't find it anywhere. I have a couple more Series 1 with lifetime too. It sure would be nice to be able to transfer the lifetime to a new box.

The "grandfathered" lifetime service has to have been purchased on or before January 20 or 21, 2000.

Obviously the S1 has to have been manufactured prior to that date.

The ability to record without a sub depends on the unit having been manufactured before October, 2001, and having come from the factory with version 1.3 of the software.

These are two different things.

And I think you have to call TiVo to get the manual record flag re-set for those units that qualify.

[HerronScott]

The ability to record without a sub depends on the unit having been manufactured before October, 2001, and having come from the factory with version 1.3 of the software.

These are two different things.

And I think you have to call TiVo to get the manual record flag re-set for those units that qualify.

I did not have to call on either of mine in order to let them record manually after we stopped service on both. The Sony manufactured May 2000 nor the Philips manufactured October 2000.

Scott

[unitron]

I did not have to call on either of mine in order to let them record manually after we stopped service on both. The Sony manufactured May 2000 nor the Philips manufactured October 2000.

Scott

After you stopped service did you let them sit unpowered for a few years and then take them half way across the country and run Guided Setup again?