getting 2nd Tivo, need advice [Text View]

rscaramelo

10-10-2006, 11:28 AM

I've had my lifetime 2nd generation Tivo for about 4 years now. For about the last 8 months I've also had the POS Comcast PVR in my main room with the Tivo in the bedroom. It's crap and I need to return it but I will miss the DT it has. I've been trying to figure out where I can get the best deal on a 180 hour DT Tivo.

I also am trying to figure out how to choose a plan for it. My wife called Tivo and the rep mentioned that if we pay the regular rate for 12 months, we would could switch to the multi-tivo plan for $6.99 per month. Does this sound right? If so, I'm going in this direction.

Any advice, links or tips would be appreciated.

RC

supasta

10-10-2006, 11:41 AM

If you buy a TiVo package from TiVo.com for one year, and then after the year, yes you can change to get the multi-unit discount $6.95.

Now, you have Comcast and a TiVo with lifetime.....looked into an S3 and Lifetime transfer?

If you get a TiVo from a store other than TiVo.com - you are eligible for a rebate on the unit itself, and you are eligible for the $6.95 monthly rate right out of the box.

wscannell

10-10-2006, 11:42 AM

That is correct. If you buy the TiVo at a retail outlet rather than from TiVo, I believe you can get it without the service bundled. Then you can start at $6.95 a month. Watch the sales of these vendors like Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.

ZeoTiVo

10-10-2006, 12:05 PM

check out the specs on the Series 2 DT - it needs a cable box to get the digital channels and can only control one cable box.

thus you can record two analog channels at the same time or one analog and one digital channel at the same time. You can NOT record two digital channels at the same time

rscaramelo

10-10-2006, 12:07 PM

Let me get this straight. I buy the Tivo outright at a retailer and I go straight to the discounted $6.95 rate? If so, anyone aware of any good deals?

thanks,

RC

PS: It looks like I'm dropping digital cable for just analog.

supasta

10-10-2006, 12:11 PM

If you are dropping Digital (either way) -

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/TiVo-Series2-Dual-Tuner-DVR-80-Hour/sem/rpsm/oid/149969/catOid/-12883/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

You can get the same deal at the store, or buy online and pick up at the store.

$249 - 40 instant in-store - $150 mail-in from TiVo. $59 for a brand new DT TiVo.

Same thing I just did last month for my second DT box. Excellent deal! It also makes you eligible for the MSD $6.95/month price right from the start.

rscaramelo

10-10-2006, 12:17 PM

Good deal but I want the 180 hour.

RC

supasta

10-10-2006, 12:21 PM

Good deal but I want the 180 hour.

RC

Well, the $150 rebate is good for the 180HR TiVo, also.

(I am an advocate of getting the 80HR model and upgrading it - more cost effective IMO)

ZeoTiVo

10-10-2006, 12:28 PM

Well, the $150 rebate is good for the 180HR TiVo, also.

(I am an advocate of getting the 80HR model and upgrading it - more cost effective IMO)

yep, I got the 80 hour DT and use it on extended basic cable. LOVE IT. I just recently did my own upgrade to 500 Gig HD for just the cost of the Hard Drive. (180$) Now I have 350 hours of space behind dual tuners. :up:

rscaramelo

10-10-2006, 12:37 PM

How hard a process is this? I've built a pc recently so I have a clue about these things.

thanks,

RC

supasta

10-10-2006, 12:41 PM

Take a look at the Upgrades Forum for more info on that. If you can build a PC you can definately upgrade the TiVo HDD.

wscannell

10-10-2006, 12:46 PM

Review the following instructions that are fairly detailed: http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com/index.php

supasta

10-10-2006, 12:48 PM

Review the following instructions that are fairly detailed: http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com/index.php

IMO that link is all you need to perform a sucessful upgrade.

JustAllie

10-10-2006, 01:04 PM

You can buy a pre-upgraded Dual Tuner TiVo from Weaknees (http://www.weaknees.com/tivo.php). :)

JYoung

10-10-2006, 01:44 PM

You can buy a pre-upgraded Dual Tuner TiVo from Weaknees (http://www.weaknees.com/tivo.php). :)

Some of us actually like doing the upgrades ourselves. ;)

Stormspace

10-10-2006, 01:44 PM

I was reading this thread, duh. Anyway I just bought an S2DT on the one year plan for 19.95/month. That means my other two TiVo's go to the 6.95 rate, right?

Stormspace

10-10-2006, 01:45 PM

Some of us actually like doing the upgrades ourselves. ;)

Tiger direct had a recent drive special. 250gb for 49.00

Einselen

10-10-2006, 01:53 PM

Tiger direct had a recent drive special. 250gb for 49.00

Is that OTD or A/R? TD Rebates I would not count on. Also what brand? Might help if you just link.

I would also recommend doing the self upgrade. It is not hard at all and will save you even more money. I have yet to see a 180 DT at a good price, the 80 DT is good, but 180 just does not seem to have any good deals I can find, hence why better to buy 80 and then upgrade. Plus if that drive fails in a few years down the road you have a nice backup drive already set to go.

Stormspace

10-10-2006, 02:00 PM

Is that OTD or A/R? TD Rebates I would not count on. Also what brand? Might help if you just link.

I would also recommend doing the self upgrade. It is not hard at all and will save you even more money. I have yet to see a 180 DT at a good price, the 80 DT is good, but 180 just does not seem to have any good deals I can find, hence why better to buy 80 and then upgrade. Plus if that drive fails in a few years down the road you have a nice backup drive already set to go.

Oops, it was 59.00 Still a good price on a 250gb Seagate

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2143105&sku=THD-250A2&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1210C

wscannell

10-10-2006, 02:08 PM

I was reading this thread, duh. Anyway I just bought an S2DT on the one year plan for 19.95/month. That means my other two TiVo's go to the 6.95 rate, right?

That is correct as long as you do not have a subscription commitment for either of them. If you prepaid, you may not be able to reduce the rate until the prepaid is done.

Einselen

10-10-2006, 02:09 PM

Oops, it was 59.00 Still a good price on a 250gb Seagate

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2143105&sku=THD-250A2&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEM1210C

Before buying I would do research on OnRebate.com and TD. I would recommend this doing anytime with rebates.

Outpost.com has good hard drive deals usually as well and most of the time you don't have to mess with a rebate. I think I got a Maxtor 250 GB for 59.99 Free Ship No Rebate. It was cheaper other places earlier with rebate and even cheaper at Outpost earlier (49.99 at one point) but I got so lazy and didn't want to wait so I bit the bullet and paid a little more for it then if maybe I had waited.

rscaramelo

10-17-2006, 04:49 PM

The more I look, the more I think I just want to go with the 180 DT. I hate the idea of buying something and ripping it open right away. Where's the best deal (if any).

thanks,

RC

Stormspace

10-17-2006, 04:55 PM

The more I look, the more I think I just want to go with the 180 DT. I hate the idea of buying something and ripping it open right away. Where's the best deal (if any).

thanks,

RC

I just bought an 80hour DT and as soon as I'm out of warranty I'm sticking a big drive in it. 80 hour isn't too much to suffer through for a year and when I do upgrade it, it's going to be much more than a 180 hour unit.

CraigK

10-18-2006, 01:13 AM

The more I look, the more I think I just want to go with the 180 DT. I hate the idea of buying something and ripping it open right away. Where's the best deal (if any).

thanks,

RC

They are $299 at Costco.com with a $150 rebate.