What is a lifetime "usage" Tivo?

[magnumis]

I noticed this auction on Ebay for a Tivo Series 2 with lifetime usage but not a lifetime service?

Ebay Listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/Tivo-Series-2-80HR-DVR-Lifetime-Usage-TCD24008A-NETWORK_W0QQitemZ170051511501QQihZ007QQcategoryZ79865QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem)

What is this?

[JimSpence]

It's probably hacked so that a TiVo subscription isn't needed.
I'd avoid it.

[lessd]

I noticed this auction on Ebay for a Tivo Series 2 with lifetime usage but not a lifetime service?

Ebay Listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/Tivo-Series-2-80HR-DVR-Lifetime-Usage-TCD24008A-NETWORK_W0QQitemZ170051511501QQihZ007QQcategoryZ79865QQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem)

What is this?

This is a hacked TiVo that you do not want, no MRV no guide data. I do not know if the unit can be unmodified but with TiVo selling a new 80 TiVo for $0 why get this one

[ebf]

I just asked this question of the seller:

What do you mean by "...you will have infinite (not Tivo’s lifetime) service"? And what is "professional modified" mean?

We'll see if I get a reply. Looks like a scam to me!

[ebf]

The reply...Hello and thank you for your interest. What that means is that this is not a true Tivo unit that has lifetime service but functions and has the same functions because it was modified meaning, in case you didn't know, Tivos are computer that run on a hard drive, linux, operating system and it is this that records your shows as a DVR. Well, professional modified, means that the linux software was reprogrammed to record shows without subscribing to the Tivo service. Does this make some sense? Let me know if you have any further questions or need more clarification and thank you again for your interest. :confused: :confused:

[Gregor]

From the description above, it's been hacked to avoid paying Tivo the fees.

Since new ones are free with committment, why buy used?

[Gai-jin]

If this works with guide data and all, I can sure see the incentive to buy it over one with a high monthly fee. . .

[ebf]

From the description above, it's been hacked to avoid paying Tivo the fees.
I wonder where the guide data comes from, then?

[Gai-jin]

I don't know if they're stealing it from TiVo, or perhaps pulling it from a free 3rd party source. Curious, isn't it?

[minckster]

The System Information screen (sixth photo on right) shows the software version as 4.0.1b. Is that version old enough to make this TiVo effectively a Series 1? It sounds like it's meant to run as a digital VCR, recording by time and channel only.

I wouldn't buy it!

[mick66]

What is this?

I see nothing in the listing that's not damn clear about what it is.

What I don't believe is that it's the seller's (a power seller) personal unit that was used in Canada for only 15 hours, then never used again.

[mick66]

It sounds like it's meant to run as a digital VCR, recording by time and channel only.


"sounds like"?
Did you read the listing? That's exactly what it's intended purpose is. There's no vagueness and no skirting around anything.

[Gai-jin]

Response received:
hello my friend. yes, this tivo behaves like a normal one, but the linux OS is modded so that you don't have to have a subscription and it records shows just like a normal tivo, BUT the only difference is 1. no program data downloaded and 2. only timed-based recording or manual recording of shows so in essence you need to know when your show is playing and at what time and channel and then you have to manually set the tivo instead of a normal tivo in which you just find the program data and hit 'record this show'

[bpurcell]

Looks like it would be a fun box to play with, but I certainly wouldn't use it as my main DVR. It doesn't show the show names, which would make it very confusing. You also couldn't move the episodes to a PC. And you can't search for shows, or prevent it from recording repeats.

I'd be willing to use it as a backup, but I definitely wouldn't pay 255 bucks for it.

I'd avoid it.

[mick66]

Response received:

The sad part is that anyone had to ask to get more of the same information that's already available in the listing.

[ebf]

The listing is gone.