Are you waiting on a lifetime transfer to buy the TiVo HD

[ZeoTiVo]

I am just wondering what kind of demand there is and how many sales are pending such an offer, basically because I want such an offer for the TiVo HD ;)


edit - finally got back to add the poll.
NOTE - if you have an S3 now but would but a TiVo HD as well if they offered lifetime - then answer the poll with waiting fior transfer please

[SC0TLANDF0REVER]

I would buy a second TiVo for the bedroom if they were to offer it again (Have S3 for the LR).

[David Scavo]

I have a Series1 with lifetime and am waiting for a Lifetime transfer offer to upgrade to the TiVoHD unit.

Of course, having an HR10-250 (HD DirecTIVO) and a trio of networked MRV-enabled DirecTIVOs makes the waiting a little easier :)

[alansplace]

one of my 540's has lifetime and i'll likely not be ordering a TiVo HD until there is a lifetime transfer offered by the tivo folks.
--
Alan :D

[Unix_Beard]

No. I have a lifetime Tivo and a monthly unit. I'm simply boxing up the old Series 2 monthly and replacing that $6.95 with the Tivo HD. Its a 40 hour unit so I don't think there'd even be a market for it used.

After watching Planet Earth on HD and not being able to Tivo it, I have to have an HD Tivo. :)

[Zevida]

I have a series 2 with lifetime service. I can't justify the $300 plus a monthly fee to upgrade to an series 3 HD. If they offered a free lifetime service transfer, it would be very hard to turn down.

[pdhenry]

No one said anything about free. I think the recent offers have all been $199, haven't they?

[rdrrepair]

I think the recent offers have all been $199, haven't they?$299.00

Yep, you're right. $199 to transfer.

Edit to fix brain fart.

[HDTiVo]

How much does it cost? Is MRV available? How long a free sub does my old TiVo get?

[HDTiVo]

$299.00
No, $200.


Edit: No need for correction anymore.

[brewman]

I bought an S3 early on. I also have two other S2's. I knew the S3 didn't support MRV, and was/am willing to live without it - hoping that eventually it will be made available. I could certainly use another HD capable TiVo to replace my one of my S2's, but I won't buy another TiVo unit that doesn't support MRV.

[ZeoTiVo]

I bought an S3 early on. I also have two other S2's. I knew the S3 didn't support MRV, and was/am willing to live without it - hoping that eventually it will be made available. I could certainly use another HD capable TiVo to replace my one of my S2's, but I won't buy another TiVo unit that doesn't support MRV.

yes, that would fall under other reason. I did not want to mix the results in here with waiting on MRV/TTG. I ma comfortable that MRV/TTG will be here by the end of the year. This time around is different since TiVo has had time to work through such issues on the S3. It sounds like they now have a design they can use without waiting on cable labs approval and thus can move forward on such an important feature.

I just want the lifetime transfer offer for 199$ again and frankly I could retire the S2 I have it on. not so worried about the 1 year free service part. Would probably let a freind use it and spread the TiVo message a bit wider.

[janry]

I voted Other. I have a Lifetime Series 1. I won't buy TiVo HD until I have a HDTV. Our primary TV is now 20 YO and still has a great picture. I'll probably buy TiVo HD when this TV set dies and we replace it with HDTV. Could be this weekend or I might die first.

[HDTiVo]

I just want the lifetime transfer offer for 199$ again and frankly I could retire the S2 I have it on. not so worried about the 1 year free service part. Would probably let a freind use it and spread the TiVo message a bit wider.
I'll wait for real Lifetime @$299 then.

[ZeoTiVo]

Our primary TV is now 20 YO and still has a great picture.
I hear they have color sets now :D

[janry]

I hear they have color sets now :D


We do still have a couple of B&W sets. One of them is a 12" portable that dates back to the 60's. Still works great. The other is a Sony Watchman B&W (1.5") that was manufactered in 1985 and still works great. I have it at the office to watch news with sometimes when I'm working late. I hate it will soon be completely obsolete.

[ufo4sale]

I bought an S3 early on. I also have two other S2's. I knew the S3 didn't support MRV, and was/am willing to live without it - hoping that eventually it will be made available. I could certainly use another HD capable TiVo to replace my one of my S2's, but I won't buy another TiVo unit that doesn't support MRV.
+1
Lifetime or not this is the only reason why I'm not buying another one today.

[ZeoTiVo]

+1
Lifetime or not this is the only reason why I'm not buying another one today.
so you would buy another one later once they have TTG/MRV actually releases?

[otis]

I think this is an interesting poll, but a little worthless. A majority of folks said they would buy a TivoHD if there was a LT transfer and assuming it would cost $200. That's almost like asking would you buy a lifetime subscription to some high speed cable modem service for $500? of course you would, it's a bargain at that price.

But what's the price point that would make or break your decision to buy a new TivoHD? It seems most would do it if it cost $200. But would you do it for $300, $400, or even $500?? Quite honestly, if they offered LT xfer at $400, I'd be on the fence (if it was for less, I'd definately jump on it. if it were for more, I'd definately pass).

If the introduction of the TivoHD marks the beginning of the turning point for Tivo (ie. they work out all the details with cablelabs, enable more cool features, come out with more products, enter the satalite market, etc etc) then (my opinion) I would expect we would never see another LT offer again. If the TivoHD sells like hotcakes, why would they need to entice us with LT offers to buy one?

[ZeoTiVo]

I think this is an interesting poll, but a little worthless. A majority of folks said they would buy a TivoHD if there was a LT transfer and assuming it would cost $200.

the point is to see who would buy a TiVoHD any way regardless of lifetime transfer vs those who are waiting for a lifetime transfer option.

the other questions were to weed out those that were not buying a Tivo HD now for other reasons


PS - my lifetime is on a S2 240 model. I still see value in the box so would not transfer if over 199$. I might buy a TiVo HD later though once I was more setup for HD. Certainly there is no other TiVo I would buy instead.

[Stu_Bee]

I'm waiting for:
- Comcast-Tivo DVR release, since it would be cheaper....and i get to keep my current S2 as functional. At least I want to compare the two products first.
- Series 3's need Tivo to Go Back (ie PC -> Tivo transfer) for me to give up my S2.

[Maverickster]

I think this is an interesting poll, but a little worthless. A majority of folks said they would buy a TivoHD if there was a LT transfer and assuming it would cost $200. That's almost like asking would you buy a lifetime subscription to some high speed cable modem service for $500? of course you would, it's a bargain at that price.

But what's the price point that would make or break your decision to buy a new TivoHD? It seems most would do it if it cost $200. But would you do it for $300, $400, or even $500?? Quite honestly, if they offered LT xfer at $400, I'd be on the fence (if it was for less, I'd definately jump on it. if it were for more, I'd definately pass).

If the introduction of the TivoHD marks the beginning of the turning point for Tivo (ie. they work out all the details with cablelabs, enable more cool features, come out with more products, enter the satalite market, etc etc) then (my opinion) I would expect we would never see another LT offer again. If the TivoHD sells like hotcakes, why would they need to entice us with LT offers to buy one?

Bingo. I'm not in a particular hurry to get the TiVoHD, so I can wait 6 months or so to see if they're going to offer LT transfers (which, BTW, my tipping point is also $400). I'm not optimistic that they will, though. I've been holding off on buying my HDTV until I could figure out my TiVo solution (seemed kinda dumb to have TiVo only for SD and an S3 was out of the question). Now that that solution is staring me in the face, it's a waiting game to see if they'll offer the LT transfer. I think a lot of current TiVo users are in that exact same boat, but I think most of those that are either (a) don't know that a LT transfer is even a possibility or (b) don't know there's a whole secondary market revolving around maintenance of LT subscriptions; these folks (who, I would dare say represent a majority of TiVo users) are going to buy this sucker in droves to service their HDTV's and just pay the plan being offered. Couple that with the new subscribers that this thing will attract and suddenly, TiVo's gonna sell A LOT of them. Adios incentive to offer LT transfers.

We'll see, but if there's no LT transfer by January, I'm just gonna bite the bullet.

--Mav

[classicX]

I have no need for the TivoHD, but even if I did, I wouldn't buy it. It's UGLY.

[Ereth]

I would buy a second TiVo for the bedroom if they were to offer it again (Have S3 for the LR).

Ditto! My feelings exactly.

[otis]

the point is to see who would buy a TiVoHD any way regardless of lifetime transfer vs those who are waiting for a lifetime transfer option.

the other questions were to weed out those that were not buying a Tivo HD now for other reasons.
OK, I understand now what you are getting at.

If I were to buy today, I guess I would buy one regardless of any lifetime offer. But if there were an option for it (the cheaper the better), then I would of course take it.

I didn't include my response in the poll since I don't have an immediate need for a new unit, so in some way, I suppose I am holding out for a cheap lifetime deal.

[jlb]

Hanging tight for now.

Thoroughly enjoying my new (to me) S2DT which I bought off of Ebay. We used to have 2 S2ST boxes, went to 1 to cut costs, and now very happy to have replaced the last box with the DT.

I am analog, with basic cable and a 27" Sony TV.

By the time I may be forced to move on in one way or the other, the TiVoHD will probably be even less than the $299 or will have a rebate out there.

This will be very important to me since "going HD" for us not only includes a new TV, but also a big uptick in cable cost, unless we could receive the local HDs. I am not sure it could be done where I am without a pretty sizable antenna and that would never pass the WAF. So, with that it mind, it is nice to know that a reasonable cost for recording HDTV on a TiVo.

[aaronwt]

I want to get a TiVoHD to complement my three Series 3 units but I would rather transfer a liftetime subscription if i can.

[ufo4sale]

so you would buy another one later once they have TTG/MRV actually releases?
In a heart beat.

[mattack]

NOTE - if you have an S3 now but would but a TiVo HD as well if they offered lifetime - then answer the poll with waiting fior transfer please

I bit the hook for the original transfer deal, and got a S3 even though I don't have a HDTV (nor digital channels, except a few I play with via QAM without guide data once in a while).. but I'd bite again on the new cheaper S3 with my other lifetimed S1..

Just the additional tuner would be a big advancement.

[will592]

I would buy it today but the only thing stopping me is I absolutely cannot stand that it doesn't have MRV or TivoToGo. Get this working and I will get rid of my SA8300HD so fast Cox won't even know what hit them. I can't stand the way our S2DT looks on our 65" HDTV and I cannot wait to replace it with the HD box, but I really really need to be able to move my shows around!

[dadx2]

I want a larger hard drive, at least 100 hours of hd :o

[DaveLessnau]

I'd love to be able to transfer my S1 lifetime to an S3. But, I just don't see how TiVo can make a business case for it. What's in it for them? Those subscriptions are where they make their money. Plus, outside of having met their need for cash in their startup days, lifetime subscriptions must have been nothing but a PITA to them. Just look at the people here wailing and moaning about not being able to transfer a lifetime subscription to a new box when that's been specified for OVER 7 YEARS (01/20/2000). I've got one S2 I used a grandfathered S1 to transfer a lifetime to, and another S1 that missed the cut-off by 6 months. I'd love to transfer that lifetime, but I'm not complaining if I can't: them's the rules (plus, I've more than got my money's worth out of the deal).

[Shanezam203]

I have a series 2 with lifetime service. I can't justify the $300 plus a monthly fee to upgrade to an series 3 HD. If they offered a free lifetime service transfer, it would be very hard to turn down.
Same here. I have had Lifetime on my Series 2 Tivo and really enjoy it.

But I can not justify buying a new HD Tivo box, and then paying another $6 a month. Currently I have my Lifetime Tivo on one TV, and a Comcast HD cable box to get HD, do I have any other options?

[AJRitz]

Same here. I have had Lifetime on my Series 2 Tivo and really enjoy it.

But I can not justify buying a new HD Tivo box, and then paying another $6 a month. Currently I have my Lifetime Tivo on one TV, and a Comcast HD cable box to get HD, do I have any other options?
Check your bill - are you sure you're not already paying Comcast more than $6/month for that HD cable box (which you wouldn't need if you had an HD Tivo)?

[macrho]

If I could spend $200 to transfer my S2 lifetime to an S3/or TivoHD, I'd jump, even though I won't have TiVo2Go or MRV, but when I see the 1 year plan at $16.95/month and the 3 year at $12.95/month it's just way too much. My crappy SA8300HD does what I want, it records HD reasonably well. $5.95/month for listings is about what I'd like to pay (lifetime aside)

[jfh3]

Same here. I have had Lifetime on my Series 2 Tivo and really enjoy it.

But I can not justify buying a new HD Tivo box, and then paying another $6 a month. Currently I have my Lifetime Tivo on one TV, and a Comcast HD cable box to get HD, do I have any other options?


You could always get a Series 3 :)


If you buy the TivoHD box, you wouldn't really be paying more per month, because you can get rid of the ComcastHD box. You have to get an Mstream CableCARD for the Tivo, but since the first one is included in any digital package for free. what you save on the cable box (usually 6.95+fees) would cover the Tivo fee on the second box.

[jfh3]

If I could spend $200 to transfer my S2 lifetime to an S3/or TivoHD, I'd jump, even though I won't have TiVo2Go or MRV, but when I see the 1 year plan at $16.95/month and the 3 year at $12.95/month it's just way too much. My crappy SA8300HD does what I want, it records HD reasonably well. $5.95/month for listings is about what I'd like to pay (lifetime aside)

If you already have lifetime, then you would take $6 off those prices for any additional Tivo boxes under the terms of multiservice discount. so you would pay $6.95 a month for the service on an S3/THD and you could get rid of the crappy SA8300 to boot ...

[Laserfan]

I have a lifetime S1 that I don't really use anymore, and just bought an S3 (with that great Father's Day rebate deal) that is a thing of beauty. Yes I pay an add-on Tivo monthly fee. :happy:

Recently Tivo offered to transfer my Lifetime to a new Series 2 for $299, which I interpreted as $200 for the xsfer and $100 for the box. I just can't see spending any money at all these days on a box which will become effectively obsolete (at least for me) after, what, 2008? I don't have cable and don't have satellite and only do OTA. With analog OTA going away (soon now) what good does a lifetime sub on a S2 do me? Not to mention that it's Standard Definition.

I suspect the folks at Tivo are very anxious about unloading their analog, SD boxes with all the to-do about Digital & High Def these days. Notso about selling Tivo HDs, so I don't expect any deals from them any time soon. But I will wait... And wait!!!

[macrho]

If you already have lifetime, then you would take $6 off those prices for any additional Tivo boxes under the terms of multiservice discount. so you would pay $6.95 a month for the service on an S3/THD and you could get rid of the crappy SA8300 to boot ...

thanks for the tip.. i might just jump now :) especially given the cc discount

[cowboys2002]

I voted Other. I have a Lifetime Series 1. I won't buy TiVo HD until I have a HDTV. Our primary TV is now 20 YO and still has a great picture. I'll probably buy TiVo HD when this TV set dies and we replace it with HDTV. Could be this weekend or I might die first.


HA!! I have a 20 inch Color TV that I use solely for the Wii and Xbox that I bought in 1984!!

Sound and picture are still excellent for TV and playing games! :D

[Puppy76]

I picked "other" because the main thing I'm waiting on is Tivo 2 Go. I'm not buying one without that.

I'd also need it to be easy to expand to at least 750MB-1GB, and then a lifetime transfer would help too...but honestly it's probably below those other two issues, especially Tivo 2 Go. A huge percentage of my TV watching is done on my TV, and I wouldn't have bought an S2 if I hadn't know Tivo 2 Go was coming soon.

[wolflord11]

Seems many are waiting for MRV and TTG to work with the Series 3 and TivoHD units before making any decision.

Its almost like upgrading from one Car to another, but without an Engine for the new One and then having to wait and wait for something that may never even come. How long is a reasonable amount of time to wait ?

[alansplace]

one of my 540's has lifetime and i'll likely not be ordering a TiVo HD until there is a lifetime transfer offered by the tivo folks.
--
Alan :Di changed my mind and picked up a tivo hd today at circuit city for $259.99! i'll pick up another one when a lifetime transfer becomes available.
--
Alan :D

[NiceDude]

I would upgrade and pay as much as $199.00 to transfer.

[SMWinnie]

Happy to keep Lifetime on my 540x S2 and will pay TiVo $7/month 3yr/MSD.

TTG and MRV would be nice but aren't dealbreakers.

If I were willing to buy today based on feature set, I would still be waiting until there's a working drive upgrade solution. Once the box goes in the rack, it stays in the rack and it's going in the rack with a 500GB hard drive.

The dealbreaker for me: SDV.
I'm not so sanguine as many here on the irrelevence of SDV. Rollout is expensive but not prohibitively expensive and can be done fairly quickly. With DirecTV 10 working out nicely in shakedown, a cable operator should be worried about competition for the high monthly bill customer.

[Laserfan]

Wow, it looks like (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5359289&&#post5359289) if you're an original lifetime subscriber you can transfer for free! I will be a two HD Tivo family maybe sooner than I thought!

[55bish]

I would upgrade 2 of my TiVos and pay as much as $199.00 each to transfer.

[Brute]

I voted that I am waiting for the lifetime transfer, but that's a little misleading. I'm waiting until I can afford an HDTV (with a kid on the way in < 1 Month, it's going to be a while), but if TiVo were to offer a limited lifetime transfer to a TiVo HD, I'd probably find the money for it.

[MickeS]

NOTE - if you have an S3 now but would but a TiVo HD as well if they offered lifetime - then answer the poll with waiting fior transfer please
That's what I'm doing - but only if there will be TTG and MRV enabled on it for sure.

[MickeS]

Its almost like upgrading from one Car to another, but without an Engine for the new One and then having to wait and wait for something that may never even come. How long is a reasonable amount of time to wait ?
More like "without a built-in MP3 player"... it's not like TTG or MRV is essential to the functionality of the TiVo, but I don't want another one without.

[ZeoTiVo]

That's what I'm doing - but only if there will be TTG and MRV enabled on it for sure.
I almost added an option for waiting for lifetime and TTG but ultimately decided to just keep TTG out of this poll and provide a cacth all other option. two things luike Lifetime and TTG that have different timetables/reasons gets messy plus another poll was started on that so it got covered :)

[classicsat]

I am waiting for Digital cable and Cablecards to be available to me. By the time that happens, the price of the TiVo HD will likely come down some.

[Puppy76]

More like "without a built-in MP3 player"... it's not like TTG or MRV is essential to the functionality of the TiVo, but I don't want another one without.

That depends on the person. For me, it is essential.

[ZeoTiVo]

That depends on the person. For me, it is essential.
I can certainly understand waiting until it is actually enabled on the TiVo, since that is the only way to actually use it ;) but in case you had not heard TiVo has said it has plans to have TTG/MRV enabled on the S3 line by the end of the year.
It should be good for any content that does not come via encrypted digital channel so that keeps cable labs out of the approval process to enable it.

[alansplace]

I voted that I am waiting for the lifetime transfer, but that's a little misleading. I'm waiting until I can afford an HDTV (with a kid on the way in < 1 Month, it's going to be a while), but if TiVo were to offer a limited lifetime transfer to a TiVo HD, I'd probably find the money for it.i also voted to wait but instead i bought one at circuit city on saturday (they had $40 off deal)!! it replaces my 2 540's (and i don't even have an hdtv). it works great and i have't gotten my two cablecards yet (they're coming on wednesday). now i'm waiting for the lifetime transfer before i buy a second one (to replace my 649 with)!
--
Alan :D

[JuryDuty]

No. I have a lifetime Tivo and a monthly unit. I'm simply boxing up the old Series 2 monthly and replacing that $6.95 with the Tivo HD. Its a 40 hour unit so I don't think there'd even be a market for it used.

Wait a second...can you do that?

I have my main S2 TiVo w/lifetime and a 40GB S2 TiVo at $6.95/month.

Can I buy a TiVoHD and just replace my 40GB S2 TiVo with it at $6.95/month?

I didn't even realize that was an option...I'm not sure why, but I didn't...

EDIT: Yep, it's possible (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=360876). Geez, I should have done this sooner. :)

[ZeoTiVo]

well it looks like the title caught the eye of a lot of people waiting on lifetime transfer for the Tivo HD. ;)

In other posts I convinced myself that lifetime transfer may not be such a good deal for Tivo on the TiVo HD but that wont stop from asking for it and I may hold out until Christmas sales rush to see if the incentive is added to sweeten the TiVo HD pot. magic 8 ball says outlook looks dim though

[LoadStar]

Other: until TiVo can support SDV, I won't get it.

[tab97]

I have two series 2 and a series 1 all with lifetime and I just can't justify buying another Tivo that I would have to pay monthy service on. If a lifetime transfer were offered I would definitely jump on it and retire my old series 1. I just got a new 42" Sharp LCD TV and would really love to have HD.

[tvdavis]

I'm in exactly the same boat as tab97: Got a series 1 and a series 2 with lifetime. I want so badly to retire my series 1 (even though I got the HDD upgraded the last time I sent it in for service, and would miss all that extra space).

Something popped up on Tivo Central on my series 1 box about three weeks ago, offering an upgrade from my series 1 box & allowing me to keep lifetime service. When I hit "select" to learn more, it just said "Coming Soon". Then the message disappeared and I haven't seen it again since! Methinks someone changed their mind?

[alansplace]

one of my 540's has lifetime and i'll likely not be ordering a TiVo HD until there is a lifetime transfer offered by the tivo folks.i changed my mind and picked up a tivo hd today at circuit city for $259.99! i'll pick up another one when a lifetime transfer becomes available.i gave in and purchased a 2nd TiVo HD yesterday, again from circuit city for $259.99. so my input to this poll has become inaccurate. i ended up retiring one of my 540s and my 649. the other of my 540s, the one with lifetime, is now in my son's room and the two new 652s are in the family room entertainment center. i've been able to return three STBs to the cable company as well. i'm a happy camper.
--
Alan :D

[mattack]

Something popped up on Tivo Central on my series 1 box about three weeks ago, offering an upgrade from my series 1 box & allowing me to keep lifetime service. When I hit "select" to learn more, it just said "Coming Soon". Then the message disappeared and I haven't seen it again since! Methinks someone changed their mind?

Sounds like that was the offer to go to a dual tuner s2.