Multi-service discount for Series 3?

[dobbie1]

I purchased my Series 3 through the Tivo/vip program. If I choose not to transfer my lifetime membership from one of my Series 2 units, will I be able to select the monthly plan when I go to activate and then receive the multi-service discount? I have reviewed the faq on this and it appears that I would qualify. Just not sure about the Series 3.

[classicX]

Yes.

[fergiej]

Not sure about online. I called my activation in instead of trying it online. I have an old Philips series 1 and I did qualify for the discount. I did that instead of transferring my lifetime over. ended up being far cheaper over a 3 year period than transferring. $6.95/month is a good deal.

[dobbie1]

Thanks for the quick replies.

[tmackie]

I have 2 lifetimed Series 2 units and opted not to do the lifetime transfer - but the discounted monthly rate of $6.95. I activated online via the TiVo website with no problem.

[snookyjen31]

I have the tivo series 2 with lifetime membership, how do you upgrade to a new box and keep the lifetime membership? Or would I be better off to do it another way and pay the monthly fee? I am not sure what to do, can someone help me? Also would I qualify for the discounted rate of $6.95? I just want a box that I can tape 2 shows at once.
Thanks
Jennifer

[jodell]

snookyjen31,

If you are planning on keeping both the S2 and S3 TiVos for the long term, I would consider just activating the S3 as an additional TiVo on your account. This automatically gives you the 6.95 per month price.

If you are going to only keep 1, then I would consider buying your S3 from tivo.com/vip and transferring the lifetime from the S2 to the S3 for $199. As a bonus, your S2 will get 1 year of service for "free". You can use that to increase the resale value on eBay (or give a friend a really good gift).

Jeff

[raober]

I have the tivo series 2 with lifetime membership, how do you upgrade to a new box and keep the lifetime membership? Or would I be better off to do it another way and pay the monthly fee? I am not sure what to do, can someone help me? Also would I qualify for the discounted rate of $6.95? I just want a box that I can tape 2 shows at once.
Thanks
Jennifer

One other thing. If you *just* want to tape 2 shows at once, get a Series 2 DT. Series 3 is overkill for just dual tuners, unless you also have/are soon getting an HDTV. You wouldn't be able to transfer the lifetime to the S2DT, but you would be able to keep both old and new TiVos and pay only the $6.95 multi-service discount fee.

[mick66]

If I choose not to transfer my lifetime membership...

It's a Subscription.

[pinballfan]

If you *just* want to tape 2 shows at once, get a Series 2 DT. Series 3 is overkill for just dual tuners, unless you also have/are soon getting an HDTV.

I don't agree. If you use digital cable, then the Series 3 is worth considering... Expensive, but worth considering if you can afford it...

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but as I recall the Series 2 DT is really only a dual analog tv/cable tuner. It can only support 1 set-top box. So if you want support for digital chanels it is still just single tuner. Also for digital stations you avoid a cycle of mpeg decoding and encoding. This should make for a better picture and save disk space. And for an even better picture you could record the HD broadcast. I'd bet the high bitrate would give you a noticable improvement in quality (this is particularly true if the network are in analog and your signal is less than perfect).

[greg_burns]

Also for digital stations you avoid a cycle of mpeg decoding and encoding. This should make for a better picture and save disk space.

Why do you say it would save disk space? I was under the impression it would take more space than its equivalent compressed analog BASIC, MED, HIGH, or even BEST recording. :confused:

[snookyjen31]

What is a set top box? I have digital cable right now, but we switch back and forth between that and directv. So would it still be a good idea for the s3? I do not know anything about the mpeg encoding and decoding. What does that mean to me? I don't know much about how tivo works or the differences in the boxes, I just know that I love my tivo, but i would like to tape 2 shows at the same time. And not spend a ton unless it is worth it. Also how are you a vip, just having the lifetime membership or is it something else? :confused:
Very confused?
Jennifer

[greg_burns]

What is a set top box? I have digital cable right now, but we switch back and forth between that and directv.

An STB (set top box) is the digital cable box from you cable company that you use to change channels with.

So would it still be a good idea for the s3? I do not know anything about the mpeg encoding and decoding. What does that mean to me? I don't know much about how tivo works or the differences in the boxes, I just know that I love my tivo, but i would like to tape 2 shows at the same time. And not spend a ton unless it is worth it.

You will not be able to record anything from your Directv receiver using an S3. An S3 will record two channels from antenna, analog cable, and digital cable (via 2 Cable Cards). The 2 Cable Cards replace your digital STB.

If the source is digital then it will record it exactly as it comes in, bit for bit. If it is analog then it encodes it and the quality level of the econding can be set. (Basic, Medium, High, Best).

Also how are you a vip, just having the lifetime membership or is it something else? :confused:

Yes. Owning a lifetime Series 1 or Series 2 Tivo makes you a "VIP". (not a DirecTivo)

[vstone]

...
Series 3 is overkill for just dual tuners, unless you also have/are soon getting an HDTV.
...Or really hate the cable company DVR and want digital SDTV, or even just want HBO.