Ads on Tivo Menu

[Carsten]

When I press the TiVo button on the remote I get various ******** on the lower to menu items. Like recently some Oscar crap and now some "got attention deff... disorder....".

Why do I need to pay so much money monthly just for TV Guide and still get advertisements? I noticed alot that the Tv Guide is WRONG. On MTV it says Two-A-Days and when I go to the station its Sweet 16 or something like that.

For 12$/m I shouldnt get **** ups like this and shouldnt need to get advertismtnets!

[Kablemodem]

Just ignore them.

[aaronwt]

It would cost more per month if they didn't have any ads. I never notice any. Nothing is pushed on me. I don't have to view it if i don't want to.

[SullyND]

Simple. You aren't paying "just for TV Guide".

[AFP1]

When I press the TiVo button on the remote I get various ******** on the lower to menu items. Like recently some Oscar crap and now some "got attention deff... disorder....".

Why do I need to pay so much money monthly just for TV Guide and still get advertisements? I noticed alot that the Tv Guide is WRONG. On MTV it says Two-A-Days and when I go to the station its Sweet 16 or something like that.

For 12$/m I shouldnt get **** ups like this and shouldnt need to get advertismtnets!


If a few "Self Selectable/Ignorable" Words/Ads on the bottom of your "Tivo Selection Screen" are the only Problems you ever have with the Service or the Unit, Consider yourself Extremely Lucky! There are far many real problems you could have to Rocket your Blood Pressure through the Ceiling than the few Ads, (Some are beneficial!) on the Selection Screen. *Many times I see Tips!
*But Read the "Problems" areas here! You will then see a couple of Ads are not worth getting all upset about!
*Also, How much do you Pay for Cable/Satelite Service each Month? I Pay about 5 Times more, and get a Hell of a Lot of Commercials on Every Channel!
You are also getting a bit more than just a TV Guide for your $12 a Month. How much did you Pay for your Unit? (*After Rebate if any?) I Paid Nothing for 1 of mine! At times they give them away just to get Subscribers to their Service!
And you cannot blame a TV Guide just because MTV changed their Lineup. I have never had that problem with Regular Stations, other than if a Football Game or Auto Race was on just before what I Programmed. But your Unit does not know when it has ended.
I am sure Tivo would not mind taking all Commercials off, *IF they could raise their Pricing to make up the difference. But none of us want that, *Right?
I also remember the Days Cable TV had No Commercials! But that's Business!! *And Life!

[hddude55]

When I press the TiVo button on the remote I get various ******** on the lower to menu items. Like recently some Oscar crap and now some "got attention deff... disorder....".

Why do I need to pay so much money monthly just for TV Guide and still get advertisements? I noticed alot that the Tv Guide is WRONG. On MTV it says Two-A-Days and when I go to the station its Sweet 16 or something like that.

For 12$/m I shouldnt get **** ups like this and shouldnt need to get advertismtnets!

How dare you come here and speak ill of TIVO? You must be an atheist.

[Joegold]

TiVo has yet to make a profit. The $12 the charge you is not them ripping you off. They are trying to offer a fair price and stay in business. If this means a hardly noticeable menu item ad then so be it. Your not being forced to watch the ad its just there if you wanna watch. Plus I kind of like TiVo advertising strategy. Let say they are advertising for a TV show you wanna watch, there will usually be an option to press the thumbs up button that will tell the TiVo to record the show. This can come in handy when enough people start advertising through them.

At the end of the day the advertisers are paying TiVo for features that would cost us more money so I welcome advertising on my TiVo as long as it doesn't get in my way.

[SystemJinx]

I don't like the ads either, but I've gotten used to them. At least they are grouped at the bottom of the screen and are less intrusive.

[mooneydriver]

At the end of the day the advertisers are paying TiVo for features that would cost us more money so I welcome advertising on my TiVo as long as it doesn't get in my way.
In my opinion, the ad revenue is not that strategic to TiVo. Another perspective is that TiVo is able to stay in business by kissing up to the advertisers and media companies, i.e., by agreeing to include advertising in menus and by disabling 30-sec skip by default. Arguably, ReplayTV had superior technology to TiVo (they had automatic commercial skip, show transfer between multiple DVRs and computers, and network transfer of shows since around 2000 or so). However, these anti-advertising and anti-DRM features made ReplayTV a ripe target for attacks by the advertising and broadcast industries, resulting in the eventual demise of the company. TiVo learned a valuable lesson from the ReplayTV disaster.

Sadly, I reached the conclusion that a few discreet ads on screen are a fair price to pay for continued innovation from the single remaining non-proprietary DVR company (as long as such concessions continue to convince the media companies to unleash their hostility elsewhere).

[Carsten]

How dare you come here and speak ill of TIVO? You must be an atheist.

Not an atheist! I love the Tivo just dont know why I'm forced to pay 12$/m and get ads. Yes they are kept to a minimum but still dont want them.

@AFP1

I paid the 840$ for my S3 from the Tivo Community store. I have no problem paying the price. I actually dont mind paying the 12$/m either if its just for the TV Guide/Updates/Online Scheduling. But I shouldnt be forced upon ads. Now If I would be "leasing" the unit, and pay on a monthly basis 12$ then I wouldnt care about ads; but I BOUGHT the unit!

Also keep in mind that "other" companies stay alive even without ads. Imagine if you bought a Sony TV for 3200$ and you still had to pay Sony 10$/m just for them to make profit....

Also my blood pressure isnt going up about the issue. Its just my "opinion" that its unnesscary.

Thanks

[Kablemodem]

Just ignore them.

[Joegold]

Would you be willing to pay extra so you wont get ads? Because as it is right now the ad revenue is part of TiVo's pricing structure. Maybe if people were willing to pay $20-$30 a month to avoid getting ads they would have that option available. However I know I'm not going to pay that much just so the empty space at the bottom of my menu's remains empty and I doubt many other people will. TiVo is competing with cable companies who offer there their boxes for significantly less, almost free. They make back the cost of the boxes by charging people upwards of $70 a month for service. Advertising seems like the only way they can somewhat compete on prices.

[bifsiff94]

the reason why I dumped my comcast DVR, well really, the straw that broke the camel's back, was that they started placing ads at the bottom of the channel guilde.

These ads took up about 25% of the screen, and they changed every time you paged up or down, and if you tried to scroll up or down, you would land on the add, since they were selectable. To make it even worse, the resolution on the ads was extremely low, like someone made a small icon and then blew it up to fit the screen.

If you don't appreciate your Tivo, I suggest you try using one of these boxes for 5 minutes, and you will never, ever, ever, complain about your Tivo again.

[Joegold]

Personally I don't think advertising is bad if its done right. You need to remember that with out advertising the end user would have to bear the entire cost of producing a product. Imagine having to pay $1.99 for every show you watch on TV or having to pay a fee for every website you visit.

[GoHokies!]

Also keep in mind that "other" companies stay alive even without ads. Imagine if you bought a Sony TV for 3200$ and you still had to pay Sony 10$/m just for them to make profit....

Also my blood pressure isnt going up about the issue. Its just my "opinion" that its unnesscary.

Thanks

What "other companies" are you talking about that make these magical mythical DVRs that do everything that a Tivo does and doesn't have ads?

I didn't think so.

I really have no idea exactly how much money Tivo brings in from their ads - whether it's "strategic" like one poster mentioned (as opposed to "tactical" or "operational"?) or not, it's money that would have to be replaced with increased service fees if it didn't exist.

Hell, I wouldn't mind seeing a few more of these and see Tivo make a profit someday! It really isn't anything to get worked up over about, it isn't like they're distracting or preventing something else from being displayed on the screen...

[HORUS]

This community would make a great groupthink case study. When somebody brings up a criticism of TIVO, the Kool-Aid drinkers come in a tell their peers that what they perceive as a defect or negative isn't really a negative at all.

Sometimes good points are brought up and other times I sit back and think that the counter arguments are biased. I think Carsten brought up a valid concern albeit one that doesn't currently bother me about advertisements. Although the few I see so far don't bother me, I'd be pissed if it increased or became more ensnarling. For heaven's sake, we can't drop $20 bucks and go to the movies now without being bombarded with at least five minutes of unsolicited advertising during the previews, more if you arrive early. Five years ago you never noticed any commercials except for the ones that ran while you waited for the movie to begin. In our age of commercialism, I think that the Kool Aid drinkers may want to give pause and think about the implications of defending advertisings. TIVO has proven responsible thus far in my opinion with their choices & may TIVO always maintain that small business feel and be trustworthy with their advertising choices so as not to ruin the viewing experience.

A final point and I'll get off my soap box. Does TIVO profit at all from our viewing habits? Everybody seems concerned about TIVO turning a profit. I'd rather TIVO sold an aggregate of our viewing habits than force upon me unsolicited corporate propaganda. Just my two cents.

[aaronwt]

Not an atheist! I love the Tivo just dont know why I'm forced to pay 12$/m and get ads. Yes they are kept to a minimum but still dont want them.

@AFP1

I paid the 840$ for my S3 from the Tivo Community store. I have no problem paying the price. I actually dont mind paying the 12$/m either if its just for the TV Guide/Updates/Online Scheduling. But I shouldnt be forced upon ads. Now If I would be "leasing" the unit, and pay on a monthly basis 12$ then I wouldnt care about ads; but I BOUGHT the unit!

Also keep in mind that "other" companies stay alive even without ads. Imagine if you bought a Sony TV for 3200$ and you still had to pay Sony 10$/m just for them to make profit....

Also my blood pressure isnt going up about the issue. Its just my "opinion" that its unnesscary.

Thanks

What ads are forced upon us? The only ads I see are the ones I decide to view. I've never had an ad in TiVo forced upon me.

[Joegold]

I'm no kool-aid drinker. From what I read there are valid reasons to be upset about purchasing a TiVo, a series 3 especially with all the bugs that are just now getting worked out and what not. TiVo's advertising strategy is not, in my opinion, a valid reason. It's there if you want to watch it and no one is forcing you to watch them. Not all advertising is evil. For example google provides a very useful product for free (Gmail) by using very unobtrusive advertising. TiVo has managed to cut some cost to the end user by doing the same thing. I am not a kool aid drinker I think TiVo has real problems it needs to fix like TiVoToGo, MRV, & SDV (If SDV makes me lose channels Ill sell my TiVo in a heart beat). If enough people feel strongly about not having advertising then TiVo should make a tier where you pay more for no advertising but I sure as hell don't want to pay more because some people don't like having an extra menu on their TiVo central screen. This isn't the good old days when things only cost a nickel. Movies, TV, and new technology costs millions to make TiVo is doing what it can to not pass on all that expense to us. Again this isn't the pop up ads you get on your computer, this is completely up to the user if any TIME is wasted/used watching the ad. That's what makes advertising annoying, when it wastes our time. TiVo has left the decision to us and I think its brilliant marketing (only people that have an interest will watch). The alternative is for everyone to sit through 2 minutes of commercials (that may or may not interest you) for every 5 minutes of show.

[Joegold]

I just wanted to add that I pay about $70 dollars a month on cable TV. This does not give me ad free television even though I am paying a service fee. The one channel I do get without ads is HBO. 11 HBO channels cost me about $11. I get about 250 channels so If I had to pay for TV without advertising it would cost me about $250. Advertising is necessary as most people will not be willing to spend this much for television. Same goes for TiVo, if they had to charge $30-$40 a month to cover their development costs they would have no customers. Its a trade off folks, somethings gotta give. TiVo created this market. Its easy for others to profit off of it with their own versions even by charging less because TiVo already spent the millions needed for research and development. Advertising is one of the things they have to do to keep their prices competitive.

[GoHokies!]

I just wanted to add that I pay about $70 dollars a month on cable TV. This does not give me ad free television even though I am paying a service fee. The one channel I do get without ads is HBO. 11 HBO channels cost me about $11. I get about 250 channels so If I had to pay for TV without advertising it would cost me about $250. Advertising is necessary as most people will not be willing to spend this much for television. Same goes for TiVo, if they had to charge $30-$40 a month to cover their development costs they would have no customers. Its a trade off folks, somethings gotta give. TiVo created this market. Its easy for others to profit off of it with their own versions even by charging less because TiVo already spent the millions needed for research and development. Advertising is one of the things they have to do to keep their prices competitive.

That's a really great point there, Joe...

HORUS, I don't think that your characterizations of all of us as "a bunch of kool aid drinkers" is anything remotely close to accurate or fair. There's a wide variety of differing opinions here, leading to an entertaining (and vigorous at times) debate over, well... just about anything Tivo related (and some things not, like the Costco return policy threads that spring up about once a month). But great job of a sweeping generalization there, buddy. :rolleyes:

[MScottC]

How dare you come here and speak ill of TIVO? You must be an atheist.

Do you have a problem with atheists?
I happen to believe in god... TiVo is GOD. TiVo gives me some control of my life <G>. The other myths give me nothing.

[HORUS]

That's a really great point there, Joe...

HORUS, I don't think that your characterizations of all of us as "a bunch of kool aid drinkers" is anything remotely close to accurate or fair. There's a wide variety of differing opinions here, leading to an entertaining (and vigorous at times) debate over, well... just about anything Tivo related (and some things not, like the Costco return policy threads that spring up about once a month). But great job of a sweeping generalization there, buddy. :rolleyes:

Where did I say everybody was a Kool aid drinker, but thanks for identifying yourself and making a case in point. I'm not asking you to agree with me. I do believe that responses like this and witnessed in other threads are unhealthy to an open dialogue. Your reaction by making it personal it illustrates I struck a nerve. I'm not your buddy pal!

[TexasAg]

Where did I say everybody was a Kool aid drinker, but thanks for identifying yourself and making a case in point. I'm not asking you to agree with me. I do believe that responses like this and witnessed in other threads are unhealthy to an open dialogue. Your reaction by making it personal it illustrates I struck a nerve. I'm not your buddy pal!

Sure, Horus. It was GoHokies that made this personal. You didn't by coming here and broadly smearing anyone who defends Tivo as a Kool-Aid drinker. GoHokies' post simply said you over-generalized. You then jumped all over him and accused him personally of being one (which is strange since I've re-read his posts here and he doesn't seem to admit he is one or meet your personal definition of what one is).

You're the one who seemed to take it personally, buddy! :rolleyes:

[HORUS]

Sure, Horus. It was GoHokies that made this personal. You didn't by coming here and broadly smearing anyone who defends Tivo as a Kool-Aid drinker. GoHokies' post simply said you over-generalized. You then jumped all over him and accused him personally of being one (which is strange since I've re-read his posts here and he doesn't seem to admit he is one or meet your personal definition of what one is).

You're the one who seemed to take it personally, buddy! :rolleyes:

I'm all for a discussion and I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong quite often maybe even in picking this thread to bring up my observation. There have been better examples in other threads that would better illustrate my thought. I may be off base but I bet there are others that see the pattern as I have brought up.

You however, seem to give credence to my original point by chiming in and backing up your bully friend by not calming stating an opinion but by making it personal. You loose your power of persuasion and convice me I'm right by closing on your personal note. It's thugs and bullys in life that prevent a lot of good ideas to surface and I for one won't stand for it. Thanks for your thoughts too buddy!

[TexasAg]

You however, seem to give credence to my original point by chiming in and backing up your bully friend

Ahh, this would be another example of your calm rational opinion, not making it personal. Right?

You loose your power of persuasion

How exactly can I tighten my power of persuasion if it's loose?

[GoHokies!]

I'm all for a discussion and I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong quite oftenYou really should have just stopped there, it would have been more correct.

You however, seem to give credence to my original point by chiming in and backing up your bully friend by not calming stating an opinion but by making it personal. You loose your power of persuasion and convice me I'm right by closing on your personal note. It's thugs and bullys in life that prevent a lot of good ideas to surface and I for one won't stand for it. Thanks for your thoughts too buddy!
TexasAg isn't my "bully friend", I don't even know the guy. Amazingly enough, we're all different people here with different opinions. I've been accused of being a Kool-Aid drinker many time here and I'm probably the closest thing that you'll find, but that doesn't mean that I won't take Tivo to task when they do something that is their fault. (most people base that off of reading more than one of my posts, however). :rolleyes:

So what is it that you're not going to stand for around here? My "loose power of persuasion"? (I'll have to tighten it up, thanks for the reminder) I certainly haven't made any posts that have prevented others from posting their good ideas, but please keep smearing me with whatever brush you desire. You've made it pretty clear from your posts that your perspective on the membership here is skewed (at best) to meet your personal agenda. In fact, I would like to think that my posts do the opposite, when I express agreement with posters and thank them for their perspective (kind of like the other half of my post that you quoted and then convienently ignored since it doesn't fit your skewed view of this community).

PS: You're right - you're not my buddy, and I don't care for you to be. I suggest that you go look up "sarcasm" in the dictionary.

[HORUS]

You really should have just stopped there, it would have been more correct.


TexasAg isn't my "bully friend", I don't even know the guy. Amazingly enough, we're all different people here with different opinions. I've been accused of being a Kool-Aid drinker many time here and I'm probably the closest thing that you'll find, but that doesn't mean that I won't take Tivo to task when they do something that is their fault. (most people base that off of reading more than one of my posts, however). :rolleyes:

So what is it that you're not going to stand for around here? My "loose power of persuasion"? (I'll have to tighten it up, thanks for the reminder) I certainly haven't made any posts that have prevented others from posting their good ideas, but please keep smearing me with whatever brush you desire. You've made it pretty clear from your posts that your perspective on the membership here is skewed (at best) to meet your personal agenda. In fact, I would like to think that my posts do the opposite, when I express agreement with posters and thank them for their perspective (kind of like the other half of my post that you quoted and then convienently ignored since it doesn't fit your skewed view of this community).

PS: You're right - you're not my buddy, and I don't care for you to be. I suggest that you go look up "sarcasm" in the dictionary.

Oh boy, you both raise your hydra heads and attack my spelling, please don't make me laugh. You do a great job painting your own portrait without any outside help in reference to your brush analogy. Oh and by the way do you ever stop being mean & stupid at the same time? lol My opinion isn't skewed towards the group just ignorant fools like yourself. I never considered myself as having an agenda but I guess debunking ignorance could be listed as number 1, thanks for the good idea. Need I explain to you that "buddy" is what started this whole thing, I see you have already realized yourself that the word gullible isn't listed in the dictionary.

[GoHokies!]

Oh boy, you both raise your hydra heads and attack my spelling, please don't make me laugh. You do a great job painting your own portrait without any outside help in reference to your brush analogy. Oh and by the way do you every stop being mean & stupid at the same time? lol My opinion isn't skewed towards the group just ignorant fools like yourself. I never considered myself as having an agenda but I guess debunking ignorance could be listed as number 1, thanks for the good idea. Need I explain to you that "buddy" is what started this whole thing, I see you have already realized yourself that the word gullible isn't listed in the dictionary.
OK, that's enough with the personal attacks. I'm not going to engage any further. Feel free to come back when you have something to add to the discussion.


Reported to mods, lets just lock this thing with apologies to the OP.

[MichaelK]

....

A final point and I'll get off my soap box. Does TIVO profit at all from our viewing habits? Everybody seems concerned about TIVO turning a profit. I'd rather TIVO sold an aggregate of our viewing habits than force upon me unsolicited corporate propaganda. Just my two cents.



that's one of their attempted revenue streams - yes.

Still with all they try they aren't exacatly making money. So They'll keep trying more untill they either find a sweet spot or cease to exist as a stand along going concern.


(although I think some have posted that if they stopped trying to get more subs they could break even on the current user base- untill it depleted itself by attition?)

[GoHokies!]

(although I think some have posted that if they stopped trying to get more subs they could break even on the current user base- untill it depleted itself by attition?)
That marketing is such a tough nut to crack - what really makes a Tivo a Tivo can't be distilled down into a print ad or a 30 second television spot. I think that enticements such as the 90 day you'll love it or your money back would probably do more than the current advertising... (Didn't you start that thread?)

[MichaelK]

That marketing is such a tough nut to crack - what really makes a Tivo a Tivo can't be distilled down into a print ad or a 30 second television spot. I think that enticements such as the 90 day you'll love it or your money back would probably do more than the current advertising... (Didn't you start that thread?)


nah- can't take credit for that idea. I think it is a wise one though. I'd tweak it a bit

[HORUS]

OK, that's enough with the personal attacks. I'm not going to engage any further. Feel free to come back when you have something to add to the discussion.


Reported to mods, lets just lock this thing with apologies to the OP.

Apology accepted if that was in fact an apology and I apologize also if I jumped the gun. I don't understand what is meant by reported to mods & OP.

Do me a favor and next time attack my posting without attacking me. That was my whole point and why I became so defensive. I'm a Boilermaker by the way so let's fight about that in the future. Go Boilers!

[rdrrepair]

From live tv hit your TiVo button and then hit 4. Click right and then type in TELEWORLD and then click on it - use the SEARCH FOR UPCOMING EPISODES and then delete each one. These are secret recordings, you will not see a check mark next to it. This will get rid of a lot of crap. I recommend you do this if you have your network hooked up to your TiVo.

Keep in mind that some of the updates are sent to you via TELEWORLD - you will still get the updates, but it will take longer.

I delete TELEWORLD from all of my DVR's but one. It does help on the amount of junk sent to my TiVo...

[ingenue007]

From live tv hit your TiVo button and then hit 4. Click right and then type in TELEWORLD and then click on it - use the SEARCH FOR UPCOMING EPISODES and then delete each one. These are secret recordings, you will not see a check mark next to it. This will get rid of a lot of crap. I recommend you do this if you have your network hooked up to your TiVo.

Keep in mind that some of the updates are sent to you via TELEWORLD - you will still get the updates, but it will take longer.

I delete TELEWORLD from all of my DVR's but one. It does help on the amount of junk sent to my TiVo...


i just tried this. nothing comes up for teleworld so i can't search upcoming episodes.

[lessd]

That marketing is such a tough nut to crack - what really makes a Tivo a Tivo can't be distilled down into a print ad or a 30 second television spot. I think that enticements such as the 90 day you'll love it or your money back would probably do more than the current advertising... (Didn't you start that thread?)

Personal recommendation is one of the best way to sell TiVo, only one of my friends bought one on their own (before I did in 2001). I must have put more then 30 TiVos in my friends homes, some thought I was the Fuller Brush Man. After the wives got hold of the TiVo most got another and would never give it up. Some still thank me today for introducing them to the product. Most people who don't have a TiVo do not understand it, or what it can do, or how easily it can do the job.(They remember how easy the computer was suppose to be), An infomercial may be another way to sell TiVo except I hate those. Another way, QVC type of thing (I hate that also but it works).

The HD thing may screw TiVo up as more people get HDTVs and can get the Cable Co.s DVR for about $10/month with unlimited warranty and upgrades.

[GoHokies!]

i just tried this. nothing comes up for teleworld so i can't search upcoming episodes.
Even if you do, I think that the yellow star is still there, there just isn't any video to go with it. (I haven't tried it, so I can't state for certain).

[Joegold]

You know what I never understood, how is the cable companies DVR not patent infringement like Echostars DVR?

[MichaelK]

You know what I never understood, how is the cable companies DVR not patent infringement like Echostars DVR?


1) tivo didn't just sue echostar over the ability to record to a hard drive. The case is based upon a specific way of doing that- essentially tivo patented a system where all the data doesn't have to run through the CPU, so that a much "wimpier" box can handle the deal (as evidenced by the measly ram in tivo's as an example).

2) We dont know that the cable company's DVR's aren't also infringing on that same patent. Tivo is a small compnay compared to the others, they dont have the resources to sue everyone today, they have to do one at a time. Also there's so politics involved- would it make sense for tivo to sue comcast and cox now that they have deals? Would it make sense to have sue them when they were negotiating those deals years ago? Beyond that it is sometimes easier to settle things once you have the first guy all beaten down in court. If Tivo can get a clear and final verdict that Echostart violated the patent and pays Tivo hundreds of Millions then when tivo knocks on the door of the other DVR makers they are more apt to listen to tivo's demands for a settlement.

So it might be something specific to echostars implementation.

And just becasue tivo hasn't sued others yet doesn't mean they wont one day. (search the net for info on gemstar- they pretty much sued or settled anyone who makes a "grid" electronic program guide. But they didn't sue or settle all at once, they went from victem to victem over years time.

(not sure what this has to do with ads anyway....)

[MichaelK]

Personal recommendation is one of the best way to sell TiVo, only one of my friends bought one on their own (before I did in 2001). I must have put more then 30 TiVos in my friends homes, some thought I was the Fuller Brush Man. After the wives got hold of the TiVo most got another and would never give it up. Some still thank me today for introducing them to the product. Most people who don't have a TiVo do not understand it, or what it can do, or how easily it can do the job.(They remember how easy the computer was suppose to be), An infomercial may be another way to sell TiVo except I hate those. Another way, QVC type of thing (I hate that also but it works).

The HD thing may screw TiVo up as more people get HDTVs and can get the Cable Co.s DVR for about $10/month with unlimited warranty and upgrades.


and the 3 page chart with foot notes you have to break out to explain the monthly fee options now-a-days doesn't help that word of mouth selling either....

I know I stopped- I am willing to spend 30 minutes explaining tivo, or write a 4 page email about it's virtues. But another 10 minutes or 2 pages to cover the pricing plans is just too much effort for me now. I dont bother anymore. I sold r gave as gifts about 18 units in my day, i dont anymore becasue it's now too much effort.

It's easy to be exicited to talk about how cool the thing is and answer the upteen questions involved with that, not so easy to be exicited about talking about pricing and answereing those 20 questions...

[Joegold]

1) tivo didn't just sue echostar over the ability to record to a hard drive. The case is based upon a specific way of doing that- essentially tivo patented a system where all the data doesn't have to run through the CPU, so that a much "wimpier" box can handle the deal (as evidenced by the measly ram in tivo's as an example).

2) We dont know that the cable company's DVR's aren't also infringing on that same patent. Tivo is a small compnay compared to the others, they dont have the resources to sue everyone today, they have to do one at a time. Also there's so politics involved- would it make sense for tivo to sue comcast and cox now that they have deals? Would it make sense to have sue them when they were negotiating those deals years ago? Beyond that it is sometimes easier to settle things once you have the first guy all beaten down in court. If Tivo can get a clear and final verdict that Echostart violated the patent and pays Tivo hundreds of Millions then when tivo knocks on the door of the other DVR makers they are more apt to listen to tivo's demands for a settlement.

So it might be something specific to echostars implementation.

And just becasue tivo hasn't sued others yet doesn't mean they wont one day. (search the net for info on gemstar- they pretty much sued or settled anyone who makes a "grid" electronic program guide. But they didn't sue or settle all at once, they went from victem to victem over years time.

(not sure what this has to do with ads anyway....)

I brought it up because of the fact that TiVo is losing market share to the cable companies for an idea that they came up with and have look for other revenue streams like advertising to compete.

[MichaelK]

I brought it up because of the fact that TiVo is losing market share to the cable companies for an idea that they came up with and have look for other revenue streams like advertising to compete.


ahh-- well give them time to beat echostar and see if anyone signs up for the OCAP version of tivo like cox and comcast did. I dont know that they can afford the lawyers for multiple case now, or if they want to frazzle cable just yet. They might still be trying to show cable them can be a partner and not an enemy.

[ashu]

Just ignore them.

Take this advice seriously.

(I can't believe I just endorsed KM as a source of serious advice! :eek: )

[DeathRider]

I paid the 840$ for my S3 from the Tivo Community store. I have no problem paying the price. I actually dont mind paying the 12$/m either if its just for the TV Guide/Updates/Online Scheduling. But I shouldnt be forced upon ads. Now If I would be "leasing" the unit, and pay on a monthly basis 12$ then I wouldnt care about ads; but I BOUGHT the unit!


Maybe, for some, they should have a "premium" of $5/month to get "ad free" service.

As others, i don't mind the ads that TiVo puts in the menu. It's a minor distraction at most.


Also keep in mind that "other" companies stay alive even without ads. Imagine if you bought a Sony TV for 3200$ and you still had to pay Sony 10$/m just for them to make profit....


Sony's been losing money hand over fist for awhile now. There quality has been on the downhill. They do have a big enough following/fanboy base to keep them afloat, I know a few who have nothing but Sony products in their home... Plus govt help if need be.[/QUOTE]

[Kablemodem]

Take this advice seriously.

(I can't believe I just endorsed KM as a source of serious advice! :eek: )

I'm always serious when I'm not joking.

[bschuler2007]

Honestly, I am disappointed with Tivo.. and thanks to the ads.. 2 of my friends who I was showing my new tivo to decided NOT to get a Tivo this week, specifically cause of the ads. Way to go Tivo! Your losing customers for a few bucks.

NONE of the pamphlets I saw for Tivo showing menus showed these ads. Had I known.. I would of thought twice about buying tivo myself. A case of false advertising? Sounds about right! I can understand the desire to have ads, etc.. but PLEASE.. keep them off of the main menu. How can you promote KID ZONE and then allow ad's for the scantily clad oscars? Umm.. I sense CONFLICT and again, false advertising! What's next Tivo?.. a list of downloadable G rated movies next to ads for condoms?

Honestly.. Tivo.. you have a great product. Stop ruining it and just advertise better...

[GoHokies!]

How would you suggest that they advertise better?

If you're in Kid Zone, you can't get to the ad anyways, so what's the problem?

Nice use of hyperbole there, though.

[Joegold]

Honestly, I am disappointed with Tivo.. and thanks to the ads.. 2 of my friends who I was showing my new tivo to decided NOT to get a Tivo this week, specifically cause of the ads. Way to go Tivo! Your losing customers for a few bucks.

NONE of the pamphlets I saw for Tivo showing menus showed these ads. Had I known.. I would of thought twice about buying tivo myself. A case of false advertising? Sounds about right! I can understand the desire to have ads, etc.. but PLEASE.. keep them off of the main menu. How can you promote KID ZONE and then allow ad's for the scantily clad oscars? Umm.. I sense CONFLICT and again, false advertising! What's next Tivo?.. a list of downloadable G rated movies next to ads for condoms?

Honestly.. Tivo.. you have a great product. Stop ruining it and just advertise better...

I cant help but think you are exaggerating. The ads don't interfere with anything. They don't make you watch them. The actual ad is what comes up when you select the menu and then select the ad itself.

I'd hardly call the oscars porn or incredibly scandalous, its an awards show. I also doubt it comes up with kid zone enabled. I get the feeling you are just trying to start a fight.

There are plenty of reasons to not get a TiVo but if the only reason your friends gave you was that there are ads (they would have to direct themselves to and select in order to watch) then they probably had no interest in buying the TiVo to begin with and were just looking for an excuse.

I honestly can't believe there are people who live in America which is covered in much more in your face advertising that can be so infuriated by one line of text. Advertising is here to stay lets just hope companies get smart and do it the right way like TiVo instead of calling you during dinner and chopping down rain forests to send you junk mail.

But of course everyone is entitled to there own opinion. If the ads piss you off so much there are alternatives like the cable companies DVR or not using a DVR, but I guess you would have to sit through 2 minute long commercials then.

Its one line of text people it is completely irrational for this to be an issue especially in this society. There are actual problems that need to be worked out with TiVo this is not one of them.

[DeathRider]

From live tv hit your TiVo button and then hit 4. Click right and then type in TELEWORLD and then click on it - use the SEARCH FOR UPCOMING EPISODES and then delete each one. These are secret recordings, you will not see a check mark next to it. This will get rid of a lot of crap. I recommend you do this if you have your network hooked up to your TiVo.

Keep in mind that some of the updates are sent to you via TELEWORLD - you will still get the updates, but it will take longer.

I delete TELEWORLD from all of my DVR's but one. It does help on the amount of junk sent to my TiVo...

They're not too secret to me. But I'm usually up @3am :rolleyes:

[rdrrepair]

A few ramblings, in no order... :p

---I don't like having to follow an additional step to delete my programs. Who cares about financial services when your trying to delete a program?

---I don't mind seeing an extra thumbs up during a commercial - that seems low key enough.

---I love TiVo- I just don't like there NEW pricing structure. :mad:

---If they offered Lifetime again I would have purchased a couple of boxes over the Christmas Holiday to give out as gifts.

---I have six boxes - are you telling me it cost TiVo more to send the same program data to the additional 5 boxes? If you can network 2+ computers why can't you do the same for 2+ TiVo's, share the data?

[lessd]

A few ramblings, in no order... :p


---I have six boxes - are you telling me it cost TiVo more to send the same program data to the additional 5 boxes? If you can network 2+ computers why can't you do the same for 2+ TiVo's, share the data?

Does it cost the cable co. any more money to send the signal to your home after your connected to cable ? TiVo, if they did not charge for additional boxes would lose their shirt as people without morals would hand them out like candy to their family and friends. I once asked TiVo why I could not get a 2nd lifetime box for less money and was told that I would then be able sell it on E-Bay for less then full price and make a profit off TiVo. TiVo does not want to spend time to figure where each and every TiVo is. Many people have another home with TiVos in both homes and use the same MSD for both homes.

[MichaelK]

Maybe, for some, they should have a "premium" of $5/month to get "ad free" service.

As others, i don't mind the ads that TiVo puts in the menu. It's a minor distraction at most.
....

that's an interesting option.

I suppose the problem is how would they price that. Right now there's fat chance of them making 5 bucks a box per month with ads. But in their dream world they probebly have disllusions of grandeur where they make $50 a month per box in ancillary revenue.

[MichaelK]

A few ramblings, in no order... :p

---I don't like having to follow an additional step to delete my programs. Who cares about financial services when your trying to delete a program?

...

I can honestly say I have never ever ever seen one of the delete ads. (But I have seen pictures). But I'm curious what's the extra step? Does the curser start on the ad so you have to button up and then hit select to delete?

[GoHokies!]

---I don't like having to follow an additional step to delete my programs. Who cares about financial services when your trying to delete a program?
What additional steps are you talking about?

That prompt has always been there, and the menu item on the bottom doesn't add an extra step.

[Kablemodem]

Honestly, I am disappointed with Tivo.. and thanks to the ads.. 2 of my friends who I was showing my new tivo to decided NOT to get a Tivo this week, specifically cause of the ads. Way to go Tivo! Your losing customers for a few bucks.

If your friends based their decision on this there is no way they would be intelligent enough to operate a TiVo anyway.

I have had TiVo for six years and I have never seen an ad that I didn't want to see.

[rdrrepair]

... I'm curious what's the extra step? Does the curser start on the ad so you have to button up and then hit select to delete?I'll hit - "CLEAR" - and then it prompts me to scroll to delete by clicking on it.

One extra step... not that bad, but, still a "MINOR" issue.

[larrs]

When I press the TiVo button on the remote I get various ******** on the lower to menu items. Like recently some Oscar crap and now some "got attention deff... disorder....".

Why do I need to pay so much money monthly just for TV Guide and still get advertisements? I noticed alot that the Tv Guide is WRONG. On MTV it says Two-A-Days and when I go to the station its Sweet 16 or something like that.

For 12$/m I shouldnt get **** ups like this and shouldnt need to get advertismtnets!

Excuse me, but what a crappy complaint! Maybe it would be worth complaining if an ad popped up over the top of the menu like some websites and you had to clear it before moving on, but a line that you don't even have to go to in the menu is just complaining for complaining's sake.
And, sometimes, those ads are for things I am interested in (like my Sony Bravia TV that I bought).

[larrs]

If your friends based their decision on this there is no way they would be intelligent enough to operate a TiVo anyway.

I have had TiVo for six years and I have never seen an ad that I didn't want to see.

Bwaaaahaaahaaaa!

[larrs]

ahh-- well give them time to beat echostar and see if anyone signs up for the OCAP version of tivo like cox and comcast did. I dont know that they can afford the lawyers for multiple case now, or if they want to frazzle cable just yet. They might still be trying to show cable them can be a partner and not an enemy.

This is probably right on. First, why sue a second company if you can never collect from the first? Once they settle with E* ( and, I for one belive ultimately Tivo will prevail), THEN you have that prior case to rely on for the others.

I agree that they would rather partner with cable. However, the E* suit may cause the other operators to think it would be better to join Tivo.

OTOH, it would be interesting for Tvio to sue Scientific Atlanta over SARA software, or Moxi, or whomever owns the Passport software (if there is any infringement there). That could for force cable cos to Tivo without directly suing them.

[vstone]

I suppose that the OP also complains about the ads in newspapers and magazines, both of which he pays for and for both of which he may ignor the ads if so desired.

[MichaelK]

...

OTOH, it would be interesting for Tvio to sue Scientific Atlanta over SARA software, or Moxi, or whomever owns the Passport software (if there is any infringement there). That could for force cable cos to Tivo without directly suing them.


it is a bit interesting that they dont go after moto or SA. I beleive the beef with Echostar is mostly hardware based so presumably if the moto and SA boxes have that issue you could sue them alone and not annoy any cable company's.

I guess they figured E* was the best first victim and the other 2 are next if they do infringe?

[smak]

I suppose that the OP also complains about the ads in newspapers and magazines, both of which he pays for and for both of which he may ignor the ads if so desired.

On page 3 of a newspaper, if there was a line of text that says "go to the advertising section, page 35 to see a Toyota ad", that would be a good comparison with these Tivo "ads"

The Tivo deletion page ads are pretty much less intrusive than any other kind of ad you'll see.

-smak-

[bareyb]

When I press the TiVo button on the remote I get various ******** on the lower to menu items. Like recently some Oscar crap and now some "got attention deff... disorder....".

Why do I need to pay so much money monthly just for TV Guide and still get advertisements? I noticed alot that the Tv Guide is WRONG. On MTV it says Two-A-Days and when I go to the station its Sweet 16 or something like that.

For 12$/m I shouldnt get **** ups like this and shouldnt need to get advertismtnets!

Welcome to the new world... Ironically, TIVo is probably responsible for Ad Agencies coming up with new and innovative ways to advertise. Come to think of it, perhaps not "ironically". Perhaps this was all part of the TiVo master plan to generate new streams of income for themselves!