Tivo HD lifetime subscription transfer offer until Nov 8 - $199

[Koan]

Just got an email with the lifetime subscription transfer offer (http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-promo/show.do?pg=/buytivo/hdservicetransfer.html). Keep service on your current unit for 1 year.

[choccy]

Just saw this.. I have lifetime on 2 S2s right now.

Now, if I can just find out if I can still record SD from DTV (with a box) along side HD from OTA, I might just jump on this.

[wickerbill]

Just saw this.. I have lifetime on 2 S2s right now.

Now, if I can just find out if I can still record SD from DTV (with a box) along side HD from OTA, I might just jump on this.

You can't. The HD boxes will not record from a cable or satellite box.

[lwilson]

Does this unit come with dual tuners?

[choccy]

You can't. The HD boxes will not record from a cable or satellite box.

Not even SD like older stand alone units?

Hmm, ok, then that begs the question - how much would a new Tivo HD with lifetime sell for, because I need something that'll let me record HD OTA and SD DTV, and TiVo ain't providing that :) (and I have 2 S2s with lifetime.)

[sbourgeo]

I don't remember how many offers that I have passed on, but I think it may finally be time to dump my old Philips S1. Wonder if I'll be able to convince the wife???

[tmesser]

Keep in mind that this offer only applies if you activated Lifetime service on your existing box prior to October 1, 2003.

[imoldfella]

Anyone know a way of getting this on Amazon sourced tivos without returning them and buying again from tivo?

[Koan]

This offer came at the perfect time. I was activating my new Tivo HD, planning to use the multi-unit discount, when I checked my email to see which account I had given Tivo in the past. I wasn't expecting Tivo to offer lifetime transfer on the HD, at least not anytime soon. Time to retire my S1 (in a year).

[Pvgibbs]

Hmm -- I -just- bought a S3 from Costco.com...maybe I should return it and get the HD and transfer my Lifetime from my old (but still working) Sony.

I think the HD will handle my same set-up - Analog Cable and OTA HD local channels (no cablecards).

[IJustLikeTivo]

Keep in mind that this offer only applies if you activated Lifetime service on your existing box prior to October 1, 2003.

I wonder if they'll let me transfer the lifetime from my original DTivo.... I already traded up my two stand alone units. One for the unit my mom has and one for mine. I'd buy another HD unit in a heartbeat if I could transfer that DTivo lifetime.

[dornitram]

And it looks like you have to buy it directly from TiVo. Oh well still might have to jump.

[rainwater]

And it looks like you have to buy it directly from TiVo. Oh well still might have to jump.

The S3 offer said the same thing but TiVo never enforced it. In fact, I doubt they even bother to verify it. Normally, you just give them the 2 TSNs and its done. They aren't going to try to bring up store records to find this info.

[wickerbill]

Keep in mind that this offer only applies if you activated Lifetime service on your existing box prior to October 1, 2003.

That makes my decision easy. I will just sell my old series 2 with lifetime on ebay and buy a Tivo HD from amazon. The money I save will pay for many years of service at $6.95 per month.

[rchavez]

That makes my decision easy. I will just sell my old series 2 with lifetime on ebay and buy a Tivo HD from amazon. The money I save will pay for many years of service at $6.95 per month.

I assume you mean that you're going to sell your series 2 box, without the lifetime service, right?

[HDTiVo]

The S3 offer said the same thing but TiVo never enforced it. In fact, I doubt they even bother to verify it. Normally, you just give them the 2 TSNs and its done. They aren't going to try to bring up store records to find this info.
I am sure they will allow the same thing. BTW I just registered a retail HD online and there was no option for LT transfer. You have to call the number, which is the same as before I think.

[JonHB]

I just activated my Tivo HD on September 9th and pay $6.95/mo as my second unit (S1 being the lifetime 1st unit). Would they let me transfer my lifetime to this unit or would I have to buy another HD unit?

[sbourgeo]

I wonder if they'll let me transfer the lifetime from my original DTivo.... I already traded up my two stand alone units. One for the unit my mom has and one for mine. I'd buy another HD unit in a heartbeat if I could transfer that DTivo lifetime.

They did allow DTiVo lifetime transfers with the S3 lifetime transfer deal offered before the TiVo HD was released, so it wouldn't be out of the question...

[faerie]

Just to confirm, I'd need to move over to comcast cablecards with this unit?

[Koan]

I am sure they will allow the same thing. BTW I just registered a retail HD online and there was no option for LT transfer. You have to call the number, which is the same as before I think.
No, I just tried to get the transfer with a new unactivated Tivo HD I bought from Vann's. I was told I had to buy the new Tivo HD at the time of transferring. Even talked to a supervisor, who said the same. I complained, but to no avail. It's a stupid policy; I'll have to re-pack it and send it back to Vann's. I may decide to stick with my Series 1 and the cable DVR for HD.

[IJustLikeTivo]

They did allow DTiVo lifetime transfers with the S3 lifetime transfer deal offered before the TiVo HD was released, so it wouldn't be out of the question...

Hmmmm, I'll have to put my Dtivo serial number in the web page and see what happens.

[dig_duggler]

Man, I am a chump. A freaking s3 beta testing overpaying chump.

[jlb]

I guess I should have planned differently way back when, but it would be nice if they would extend an offer like this to folks who have been month to month for X months.

[DVDivo Tim]

How set in stone is the activation date cutoff? I activated my lifetime on Nov. 22, 2003. :mad:

[wickerbill]

I assume you mean that you're going to sell your series 2 box, without the lifetime service, right?

Nope, it was activated in 2004 so I can't transfer lifetime off of it. My original tivo that was activated in August 2000 had the lifetime transferred off of it last fall for my series 3. My other tivos with lifetime were activated after the cutoff date so I can't participate in this offer. I will just sell the box with lifetime on ebay and just put my tivo HD on a $6.95 monthly account. Too bad for tivo.

[DVDerek]

Keep in mind that this offer only applies if you activated Lifetime service on your existing box prior to October 1, 2003.

That's disappointing. I activated my TiVo in October, 2002 but didn't go lifetime until after the cutoff. Just means TiVo won't be getting my $500, I guess. Maybe I should send them a thank you? :)

[dbtom]

This is a really hard choice. Amazon has the Tivo HD for $249 so your net cost for this deal is $50 + $200 = $250 since you need to buy at the Tivo store. $250 / 6.95= almost 3 years of service with MSD. Plus the deal says that you cannot return or exchange the Tivo HD under any circumstances (it's also in bold so I guess they are serious). I'm primarily worried that I'll have cable card install problems (that cost $40 by the way). If I can't get it to work, then I'll be stuck with it and I can't go back to using a cable box / Tivo combo. I'm leaning on passing for now.

[segaily]

How set in stone is the activation date cutoff? I activated my lifetime on Nov. 22, 2003. :mad:

Mine was activated Oct 23, 2003. Oh well maybe when there is a series 4. :) No I have not heard anything about a series 4. It is a joke!

[dwit]

Wonder why they won't transfer more recent lifetime activations?

[Globular]

So those of us who jumped on the TiVoHD when it came out, paid full price, and acted as virtual beta testers for software that wasn't ready yet are left out in the cold and can't do a lifetime transfer.

Thanks a lot TiVo! Grrr...

[DVDerek]

This is a really hard choice. Amazon has the Tivo HD for $249 so your net cost for this deal is $50 + $200 = $250 since you need to buy at the Tivo store. $250 / 6.95= almost 3 years of service with MSD. Plus the deal says that you cannot return or exchange the Tivo HD under any circumstances (it's also in bold so I guess they are serious). I'm primarily worried that I'll have cable card install problems (that cost $40 by the way). If I can't get it to work, then I'll be stuck with it and I can't go back to using a cable box / Tivo combo. I'm leaning on passing for now.

You're forgetting the free year of service you get to keep on your series 2. If you can make use of a second, non-HD Tivo, that is. This saves you $83.40. So your net cost is $166.60. That's 2 years of service with the multi service discount.

I'm starting to wonder how this would ever pay off. I suppose if you only wanted to have 1 TiVo you could get the year service on the S2 and then sell it that way. What would that go for on Ebay?

[nyny523]

I JUST got an HD Tivo (400 hr) from Weaknees. It has not even been activated yet.

Since they are a approved Tivo seller, can I get this deal? It would REALLY suck if I JUST paid all this money and can't get this deal...:(

[DVDivo Tim]

That's disappointing. I activated my TiVo in October, 2002 but didn't go lifetime until after the cutoff. Just means TiVo won't be getting my $500, I guess. Maybe I should send them a thank you? :)

I'm with you on that. I'm just so disappointed with the way they do business nowadays that I might just sell my current Tivo (a Pioneer DVD Recorder with Lifetime 2 months too late) and go exclusively with my EyeTV/Mac Mini setup.

[JonHB]

We all know better, but it seems kind of cheesy that they call it a 180-hour Tivo HD (when added to your cart at the Tivo site).

-----------------------------
180-hour TiVo HD DVR- Product Lifetime Transfer Offer. Upon receipt contact 877-367-8486 to complete your Product Lifetime transfer
Free Ground Shipping details
-----------------------------

[wickerbill]

Yeah, the more I crunch the numbers, the more I think this isn't that great of a deal. I can sell my lifetime series 2 with lifetime and get a decent amount of money that will more than cover the cost of an HD from amazon along with a couple of years of service. With this purchase, I wouldn't really have a need for the free year on the series 2 and without lifetime it is just about worthless.

Thanks, tivo, for excluding me because I might have made a foolish decision otherwise!

[schwinn]

You're forgetting the free year of service you get to keep on your series 2. If you can make use of a second, non-HD Tivo, that is. This saves you $83.40. So your net cost is $166.60. That's 2 years of service with the multi service discount.

I'm starting to wonder how this would ever pay off. I suppose if you only wanted to have 1 TiVo you could get the year service on the S2 and then sell it that way. What would that go for on Ebay?
Yeah, but the "free year of service" is actually a downgrade from the free lifetime you would get by NOT taking this deal and doing the $6.95/mo method. So, the original analysis is more accurate - about 3 years of service (if you buy from Amazon for $249) until you break even.

Personally, I'll stick to the $6.49/mo plan instead... and keep my lifetimed S1 running.

I know Tivo wants to dump the S1 users, but this trickery won't work on me... this isn't really that good of a deal, as far as I can see.

EDIT: The real question is, what about SDV video? Has this been resolved yet? I think it hasn't... so what happens in <3 years? The TivoHD becomes obsolete for one that does support SDV. Yet another reason NOT to take the lifetime transfer here.

[rainwater]

I JUST got an HD Tivo (400 hr) from Weaknees. It has not even been activated yet.

Since they are a approved Tivo seller, can I get this deal? It would REALLY suck if I JUST paid all this money and can't get this deal...:(

I would try it. For the S3 lifetime deal there were no issues using boxes bought at retail even though it said it wasn't allowed. If it doesn't work, you can always get a refund. Frankly, I doubt the TiVo rep will even know where you bought it from.

[nyny523]

I would try it. For the S3 lifetime deal there were no issues using boxes bought at retail even though it said it wasn't allowed. If it doesn't work, you can always get a refund. Frankly, I doubt the TiVo rep will even know where you bought it from.
Thank you! I will do this and let you know how it goes...I am getting everything set up over the weekend.

[dbtom]

You're forgetting the free year of service you get to keep on your series 2. If you can make use of a second, non-HD Tivo, that is. This saves you $83.40. So your net cost is $166.60. That's 2 years of service with the multi service discount.

Yeah I didn't consider the free year. I already have DVRs on all my TVs: 3 Tivos and 1 SA 8300. The free year of service would probably go to my in-laws so I didn't put much value on that :)

[bilbo]

Even if I was eligible, I say no thanks to this offer.

I can get an original Series 3 from Circuit City for $599.99. I've got a 10% off AAA coupon which would take $60 off. And if I click through Discover Card's ShopDiscover "Portal," I should get an additional 5% Cash Back (about another $25).

So I could pay $515 plus tax minus a $200 rebate for about $315. Sure I will be out an additional $15 while I wait for the $200 rebate and I will be paying $7 per month on MSD, but the S2 I have with LT (activated/purchased in January 2005) is worth about $300 on EBay. Or I could give it to someone else who could use the MSD discount when they get an original Series3 or a Series3 TivoHD.

[Koan]

I would try it. For the S3 lifetime deal there were no issues using boxes bought at retail even though it said it wasn't allowed. If it doesn't work, you can always get a refund. Frankly, I doubt the TiVo rep will even know where you bought it from.As I said above, I tried it and it didn't work. Tivo told me I had to buy the new Tivo HD from them. Maybe they will change their tune down the road or a different CSR will allow it.

[faerie]

As someone with a single TV who can't get the MSD, I think this works out pretty well. According to my math, if we were to upgrade to HD, the best deal is a 3 year monthly for $12.95/mo. Transferring the lifetime for $199 works out to be about 16 months of service.

[Eccles]

With a new 52" LCD on the way - our first HDTV - the timing of this offer couldn't have been better, but like some others, I'm concerned about the whole SDV issue. TW here in Austin is moving pretty much everything to SDV just as fast as their greedy little legs will carry them, and I'm loathe to transfer my Lifetime to a machine which may be obsoleted in a year or so. Perhaps I'll pick up an HD and go month-to-month on it with MSD, and keep the Lifetime in reserve until the next generation TiVo comes down the pike.

It does appear that TiVo is starting to make a habit of this sort of offer every few months, as more and more Lifetime subs roll past their 4-year anniversary and are thus fully amortized in TiVo's revenue stream. If I was one of the folks bemoaning the fact that their Lifetime date misses the cutoff by a few weeks, I'd be looking towards a similar offer around Christmas time as another bookkeeping quarter rolls around.

[DVDerek]

I'm with you on that. I'm just so disappointed with the way they do business nowadays that I might just sell my current Tivo (a Pioneer DVD Recorder with Lifetime 2 months too late) and go exclusively with my EyeTV/Mac Mini setup.

Eh, they're still providing me the "Lifetime" of service I bought on the original box under the terms that I agreed to when I bought it. I think they're leaving business on the table with the cutoff date on this offer, but it's their right.

[DVDerek]

As someone with a single TV who can't get the MSD, I think this works out pretty well. According to my math, if we were to upgrade to HD, the best deal is a 3 year monthly for $12.95/mo. Transferring the lifetime for $199 works out to be about 16 months of service.

Series 2 with 1 year of service seems to sell on Ebay for about $200. So you'd be looking at Upgrading your TiVo and keeping lifetime for only the cost of the HD TiVo ($299). This presumes that 1 year of service is transferable...

EDIT - It seems those completed auctions were for new units or at least units that still had the boxes.

[Eccles]

This presumes that 1 year of service is transferable...... which it is not, according to the fine print.

[faerie]

Ah, see, we'd be giving the S2 unit to a family member to use... So if under the fine print, we can't actually transfer the old unit to them, then maybe this doesn't do us any good.

[hansendc]

I have an old Lifetime'd Sony Series 1 activated in 2001. It oddly won't qualify for some reason. Anybody else see this?

[rodneyb]

I JUST got an HD Tivo (400 hr) from Weaknees. It has not even been activated yet.

Since they are a approved Tivo seller, can I get this deal? It would REALLY suck if I JUST paid all this money and can't get this deal...:(
I'm in the same exact boat as you. UPS is scheduled to get here with my brand new s3 tivo from weaknees tomorrow. Comcast is scheduled to show up on Saturday.

I hope I can qualify for this offer since it's a brand new Tivo.

[andersonsrus]

We just goy Comcast DVR after getting a HD TV and we were lifetimes on 2 Tivo to begin with.

With the HD Tivo can you watch Live TV and record another?

Also what has your luck been with the cable cards?
There is a no return policy on this and I am afaraid that the cards won;t work and then I am stuck. Because what might happen Comcast will say its the Tivo and Tivo will say comcast. or am I better off with the 3 year prepaid paln or wait until the Comast/Tivo units show up?

Info Please

[rainwater]

As I said above, I tried it and it didn't work. Tivo told me I had to buy the new Tivo HD from them. Maybe they will change their tune down the road or a different CSR will allow it.

You will have to just push harder with the CSR. It would not be fair to someone who just bought a Tivo HD to have to return it and purchase from tivo.com to get the deal. And I am pretty sure Best Buy, etc wouldn't appreciate it if this deal was forcing users to send their boxes back to them.

[joshguy875]

Why have they stipulated that this is only valid for lifetime subscriptions made prior to Oct 1, 2003? It seems like they should be taking any chance they have to get money out of a lifetime subscriber regardless of sign up date.

[edifice]

I have a lifetime subscription that shows up on my Tivo account that should have been transfered to a new owner that bought my old Tivo. Has anyone here sold a Tivo with a lifetime subscription attached? I assume the TiVo Service Number should have disappeared from my account when the new owner called Tivo should it not? I sold it almost 2 years ago.

The reason I ask is that it is tempting to buy the new Tivo HD and ask them to transfer my lifetime that shouldn't still be showing up in my account. Obviously if the old box is still alive and in use this would cause some issues for the person I sold it to.. Or I could be lucky and the box might be dead and not in use.. Another interesting thing is that it does not show up in Amazon Unbox so this would mean that the software is not up to date and that it is not being used. Is my thought process correct? ARGHHH what shall I do!!

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Brian

[tomryan]

what you should do is nothing, you sold it as is with lifetime, you collected the money. Its done. You could of course reach out to the person who bought it and see if they are using it, etc.

I have a lifetime subscription that shows up on my Tivo account that should have been transfered to a new owner that bought my old Tivo. Has anyone here sold a Tivo with a lifetime subscription attached? I assume the TiVo Service Number should have disappeared from my account when the new owner called Tivo should it not? I sold it almost 2 years ago.

The reason I ask is that it is tempting to buy the new Tivo HD and ask them to transfer my lifetime that shouldn't still be showing up in my account. Obviously if the old box is still alive and in use this would cause some issues for the person I sold it to.. Or I could be lucky and the box might be dead and not in use.. Another interesting thing is that it does not show up in Amazon Unbox so this would mean that the software is not up to date and that it is not being used. Is my thought process correct? ARGHHH what shall I do!!

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Brian

[Keith Mickunas]

I have an old series 1, I know it's older than 5 years, with a lifetime subscription. I just got a TivoHD from Amazon, it arrived today, and I have FIOS coming out tomorrow with the cablecards. I was planning to buy the 3 year subscription, then I saw this special and was hoping to beg and plead my way into this offer.

But now after reading this thread I see I have other options. Am I correct in understanding that I can add this TivoHD as a second unit under my existing lifetime subscription and only pay $6.95 a month? In which case the cost of the transfer plus the extra $50 I would have to spend buying this from Tivo (not to mention the return to Amazon) would only benefit me if I use this for more than three years.

[edifice]

what you should do is nothing, you sold it as is with lifetime, you collected the money. Its done. You could of course reach out to the person who bought it and see if they are using it, etc.

You are absolutely right tomryan. I am being greedy. Thanks for the kick in the head.

Brian

[dswallow]

As someone with a single TV who can't get the MSD, I think this works out pretty well. According to my math, if we were to upgrade to HD, the best deal is a 3 year monthly for $12.95/mo. Transferring the lifetime for $199 works out to be about 16 months of service.
Actually your best deal is $299 for 3 years of service prepaid, amounting to $8.31/month. The $199 lifetime transfer then works out to be 24 months of service. Though getting the free 12 months of service on the older TiVo receiver as part of the lifetime transfer has a value that needs to be factored in, too.

[David Scavo]

Why have they stipulated that this is only valid for lifetime subscriptions made prior to Oct 1, 2003? It seems like they should be taking any chance they have to get money out of a lifetime subscriber regardless of sign up date.I believe TIVO prorates the lifetime sub fee over a 4 year period. So lifetimes sold before Oct 2003 are no longer revenue producing subs.

[DeeJayK]

I have a S1 that was activated with Lifetime prior to January 2000. I've heard something about this being a "grandfathered" unit which gives me the right to transfer this subscription to another box for free.

I'm considering moving up to an HD (or maybe an S3) and am wondering if anyone can give me details on this rumor?

If it's true, are there limitations on where I can purchase the new unit (i.e. only direct from Tivo)? How do I go about making the subscription transfer?

Thanks for any assistance!

[dig_duggler]

Anyone want to bet a large sum of money this offer doesn't expire when it's supposed to?

[jeffk]

Not exactly happy about this. When they did the VIP offer for Series 3 it was assumed it was a VIP offer, not just a run of the mill we'll do this from time to time, and is the reason I bit the bullet when the series 3 prices were still up there. Doesn't make me feel very important now that the same offer is extended later on the much cheaper product. I guess tivo feels they need some more cash and forget about their vip early adopters by offering the same deal again.

Don't get me wrong I love my tivo, and couldn't do without it, but disappointed they offered the deal again.

[travelmad]

The HD boxes will not record from a cable or satellite box.
Is that right? I now have DirecTV and an HD set, working fine with my old Series 1. I've been dying to upgrade to a Series 3 HD, just hadn't done it because I wanted to keep my lifetime subscription (purchased well before 2003).

Are you telling me I shouldn't bother? Why would this Tivo not record off my DirecTV box? I have the Series 1 hooked up serially and use the infrared transmitters to have Tivo's remote change channels on the DirecTV box. It all works, except of course the Tivo doesn't record in HD.

[jeffk]

Because theres no way to do serially control or IR control of this box, its strictly OTA or cable.

Is that right? I now have DirecTV and an HD set, working fine with my old Series 1. I've been dying to upgrade to a Series 3 HD, just hadn't done it because I wanted to keep my lifetime subscription (purchased in 2000).

Are you telling me I shouldn't bother? Why would this Tivo not record off my DirecTV box? I have the Series 1 hooked up serially and use the infrared transmitters to have Tivo's remote change channels on the DirecTV box. It all works, except of course the Tivo doesn't record in HD.

[travelmad]

Because theres no way to do serially control or IR control of this box, its strictly OTA or cable.
:( This is devastating. Or, just deeply annoying. I was all excited and ready to throw 500 bucks at Tivo. Now it looks like I will have that lifetime subscription on my Series 1 for, well, a lifetime!

[imoldfella]

They must not have gotten the "easy to do business with" memo.

Jim

[AbMagFab]

Not even SD like older stand alone units?

Hmm, ok, then that begs the question - how much would a new Tivo HD with lifetime sell for, because I need something that'll let me record HD OTA and SD DTV, and TiVo ain't providing that :) (and I have 2 S2s with lifetime.)
Why wouldn't you just:
TivoHD for OTA HD
S2 for DTV SD

MRV (in November, as announced by Tivo on this board) to watch whatever you want, when you want.

?

[Koan]

You will have to just push harder with the CSR. It would not be fair to someone who just bought a Tivo HD to have to return it and purchase from tivo.com to get the deal. And I am pretty sure Best Buy, etc wouldn't appreciate it if this deal was forcing users to send their boxes back to them.
That's what I told them. I pushed with the CSR and pushed with her supervisor. They were apologetic, but unmoving. It may be in a week or two when new buyers have received their units under this offer that CSRs won't ask where it was bought. I actually never told them though where I bought mine. By all means, give it a try. I would like to hear that someone has had success.

[JonHB]

There's not a lot of incentive here to "upgrade". In addition to my S1 and THD, I also have a FIOS HD DVR. No, not as nice as THD, but it's no slouch either.

I know you shouldn't compare apples and oranges, but

(Delete) FIOS HD DVR at $12.99 / mo
(Add) Two Cablecards at $ 5.90 / mo
Net FIOS account savings of $7.09 / mo.
Payback of Tivo HD DVR w/ lifetime is ($300+$199)/7.09 = 70 months!!!

I love my THD over the FIOS DVR, but from a payback point of view, it takes almost 6 years to recoup the investment. That doesn't take into consideration no warranty on the Tivo (after the initial warranty) and whether the THD will even work with IPTV or SDV or whatever else comes down the pike in 1 - 6 years.

Hmm....I'm not ruling it out, but somehow, I'm just not feeling it....

[wildminer]

I activated 2 TiVo HDs a couple weeks ago that I purchased from Amazon. I also own a Series 2 TiVo with Lifetime that was purchased in 2002. I called TiVo to see if they would let me transfer my Lifetime to one of my new TiVo HDs. The TiVo representative looked at my account and said that I qualified for the transfer. He asked which TiVo HD I wanted to transfer Lifetime to and then asked for a credit card. He then tried to submit the request but his "tool" wouldn't process it. He said his tool was broken but he had another method of trying to make it go through but that he'd have to get back to me in 24 to 48 hours. He reiterated that I do qualify and that he'd get it taken care of. With that said, I'm not too hopeful it will go through since I purchased the TiVos before this offer was available.

[Tanquen]

I have three TiVo's all with lifetime subs, would it matter which of the three I moved to the TiVoHD?

S1 Jul 14, 2001
S1 Jul 20, 2002
S2 Jul 18, 2003

I was also wondering about cable cards. Is it normal to have to pay for them and have to pay a monthly fee? I now have no cable box and am only getting analog cable channels and was planning to HD from over the air only. Do I need a cable card?

[dswallow]

I have three TiVo's all with lifetime subs, would it matter which of the three I moved to the TiVoHD?

S1 Jul 14, 2001
S1 Jul 20, 2002
S2 Jul 18, 2003

I was also wondering about cable cards. Is it normal to have to pay for them and have to pay a monthly fee? I now have no cable box and am only getting analog cable channels and was planning to HD from over the air only. Do I need a cable card?
Since all your units are post-January 20, 2000 lifetime, there's really no difference between them since none are eligible for the one-time grandfathered lifetime transfer. I'd probably pick the oldest of the Series 1's.

Whether (and how much) your cable company charges for CableCARDs will depend on their policy; it varies. But if you're happy limiting yourself only to their analog lineup and you can receive all the digital local stations with an antenna, you don't need CableCARDs.

[choccy]

Why wouldn't you just:
TivoHD for OTA HD
S2 for DTV SD

MRV (in November, as announced by Tivo on this board) to watch whatever you want, when you want.

?

I already have every current and last gen hooked up to my HDTV plus other devices.. I'm trying to get rid of some, not add even more :) but also I'd then need another sub to run both boxes. OK, so for the next 12 months my S2 would still be subbed, but after that I'd then be paying another $6.95/month I otherwise wouldn't have to. Plus, I'd already decided I wasn't going to sign up to any of the new tivo subs when they radically increased all their prices - I have my 2 lifetimes and 1 at $6.95/month. I can justify swapping out a lifetime for another lifetime, but no more subs.

[m_jonis]

I have a lifetime subscription that shows up on my Tivo account that should have been transfered to a new owner that bought my old Tivo. Has anyone here sold a Tivo with a lifetime subscription attached? I assume the TiVo Service Number should have disappeared from my account when the new owner called Tivo should it not? I sold it almost 2 years ago.

Brian


Well, you'd THINK it should have disappeared from your account. But Tivo apparently has some kind of magical database that is write only and can never be edited or allow for records to be erased, so it will show up on your account forever and ever (until maybe Tivo upgrades to DOS and some 1980's database that let's you delete a record).

[faerie]

If we do this transfer, we will have a S2 with 12 mos service that's non-transferable according to what I'm reading here. If we were to give this unit to a family member without transferring it into their name, would Tivo really know the difference?

[mshaikun]

Have always bought from Best Buy as its extended warranty is the cheapest I've found and with TIVO units extended warranties are not a bad idea. I price by adding box plus warranty plus shipping plus sales tax and Best Buy has been a winner for me. So until Tivo lets me Best Buy! I'll not buy.

BTW, how much recording time do you really get? 20 hours HD would be nice if at 1080 not 720. My guess is that using best HD the recording time will be well under 10 hours.

[synch22]

yeah as a early adopter i shelled out close to 1k for the S3 and transfer of lifetime, I made the move because i thought this was it it was then or never again would lifetime come up.

Tivo is acting in desperation it seems so i guess i would rather have tivo exist and me get shafted a bit than tivo go under.....

Us S3 guys got the shaft, tivo released a new version way too quick...the additional lifetime offer is icing on the cake.

As far as guys saying that its the risk of being an early adopter...how many times have you seen a new release within months?? Hell even Steve Jobs had a heart..

[Narf54321]

yeah as a early adopter i shelled out close to 1k for the S3 and transfer of lifetime, I made the move because i thought this was it it was then or never again would lifetime come up.

Yeah, I made the leap last year, too. I could have sworn last year they told us "V.I.P." subscribers that this was the absolute last chance, only possible way to get Lifetime service on a new box.

I get the feeling that with the drop in subscriber numbers that they're trying anything to boost them back up again. Kinda of explains the short time window for this newest, last-chance, only possible way to get Lifetime service. They enroll your old TiVo unit into a recurring billing plan (first year "free" -- for $199), and then you probably count as two subscriptions.

[JFalc]

I just bought one of these TIVO HDs from TIVO DIRECT purusant to the 199 transfer offer.
My order confirmation says 1 TIVO HD and 1 TIVO TRANSFER LETTER. I think this is how TIVO is going to track where you bought the TIVO from to know whether you get the 199 lifetime transfer or not.
Just an FYI.
-John

[wickerbill]

BTW, how much recording time do you really get? 20 hours HD would be nice if at 1080 not 720. My guess is that using best HD the recording time will be well under 10 hours.

And you would be wrong. You will most likely get a little more than 20 hours of HD as most HD shows on my series 3 are between 4-7 GB per hour.

[wdwms]

This one is a no-brainer for us...

First we already have an S3 that has lifetime. My mothers old S1 modem died and she has an S2 so we xferred the lifetime back in May to our S3.

We have an S1 dating back to March 3, 2001 with lifetime
and an S2 with lifetime we bought off of craigslist last week for $50 (steal of the year!)

We only use two tivos, so what we are doing is getting the TivoHD, xferring the S1 lifetime to the TivoHD. Then we'll put the S2 on eBay, which I'll upgrade to 200+ hours with some spare drives. That should bring in about $400 or so, based on current eBay trends.
So $300 for the TivoHD, $200 lifetime xfer, $50 for the S2 = $550. Subtract out $400 from the sale of the S2, and it's costing me $150..

We'll shutdown the S1 for good, no use for 3 machines in our household...

[DVDerek]

Not exactly happy about this. When they did the VIP offer for Series 3 it was assumed it was a VIP offer, not just a run of the mill we'll do this from time to time, and is the reason I bit the bullet when the series 3 prices were still up there. Doesn't make me feel very important now that the same offer is extended later on the much cheaper product. I guess tivo feels they need some more cash and forget about their vip early adopters by offering the same deal again.

Don't get me wrong I love my tivo, and couldn't do without it, but disappointed they offered the deal again.

I really don't get these complaints. TiVo offered you a deal and you took it and now your upset other people are getting the same deal? Do you feel not VIP enough or something?

[tlc]

Personally, I'll stick to the $6.49/mo plan instead... and keep my lifetimed S1 running.
This is where I'm at. But not by choice -- I bought my TiVo HD on MSD a couple of weeks ago. :(

I have a question that might affect some decisions here, though. If my lifetimed S1 dies and stops pulling data, do they detect it and bump me to a non-MSD price?

tlc

[moolman]

Have to agree, why are the early adopters complaining that others are getting lifetime now.

You seriously didn't know that they price of the S3 was going to drop in a year, if you didn't you were pretty dumb. I bet you thought that pentium you bought for $500 long ago would still go for a good price on ebay. :p

You got to have a S3 a year before others, that extra $500 or whatever is the price of it.

Would it satisfy you more if they didn't offer these people lifetime transfers, even though this doesn't affect you in anyway? Just the idea someone gets a good deal pisses you off? ;)

[EVizzle]

Loving my MSD from my S2 lifetime and S3, no real need to add a THD but I say anyone without an HD capable Tivo needs to do it, even without an HDTV!

[IJustLikeTivo]

They did allow DTiVo lifetime transfers with the S3 lifetime transfer deal offered before the TiVo HD was released, so it wouldn't be out of the question...

I entered the service number for that unit and it said it wasn't eligible. I wonder if a phone call will help...... ;)

[schwinn]

If we do this transfer, we will have a S2 with 12 mos service that's non-transferable according to what I'm reading here. If we were to give this unit to a family member without transferring it into their name, would Tivo really know the difference?
I would think not - I don't think transferring the name has any impact on the device... as long as you don't go out and cancel the remaining 12-months on it. After the 12 months, you could, in theory, start paying monthly for it, if you wanted to, and it should keep working. I have a friend who currently has his sibling's S1 lifetime, and it continues to work at his address with no issues... I don't see why Tivo would care at all.

On the flip side, you could also simply keep the lifetime on it, give it to your family member, and then use the MRD discounted monthly price on your new TivoHD (or any other unit) at $6.95/mo... again, as long as they keep it running, it should make no visible difference to Tivo?

That begs the question that was asked above:
If my lifetimed S1 dies and stops pulling data, do they detect it and bump me to a non-MSD price?
I'm wondering this myself, just for curiousity's sake... anyone know?

[Narf54321]

Have to agree, why are the early adopters complaining that others are getting lifetime now.

Because TiVo under Rogers has been adamant about getting rid of Lifetime service. Last year's Lifetime transfer offer specifically noted it wouldn't be offered again. In fact, I'm sure one of Shanon's videoclips specifically said so.

You seriously didn't know that they price of the S3 was going to drop in a year, if you didn't you were pretty dumb.

Of course we all knew the price was going to go down. There was definite time pressure for the Lifetime offer to expire, which prompted many of us to go ahead and buy an expensive, untested box despite the crazy price. Luckily some of us were able to take advantage of the Costco and Dell sales, and a few others were able to find Best Buy coupons.

If we had known Tivo was lying/crying wolf and would offer yet another Lifetime transfer on a cheaper box, it should be obvious most of us would have waited. Especially seeing as the S3 unit seems to have become the redheaded stepchild of the Tivo family.

[MickeS]

Because TiVo under Rogers has been adamant about getting rid of Lifetime service. Last year's Lifetime transfer offer specifically noted it wouldn't be offered again. In fact, I'm sure one of Shanon's videoclips specifically said so.


You're gonna have to find some evidence of that to back it up. I don't remember that at all, in fact many members here have speculated about when an offer like this would come up again.

[krivera1]

I'm still confused about something on this upgrade S3 unit.....

I don't have cable (I have DIRECTV with HR10-250's), but I may upgrade an S1 unit I have that I'm not currently using. However, I would only use it to record OTA programming.

1) Does it have dual ATSC OTA tuners so I can record two shows at once?
2) Does it have an NTSC tuner for non-digital channels?
3) If the answer is no to either of the above, then does the other more expensive S3 unit do both?

Thanks for your help!

Ken

[Narf54321]

You're gonna have to find some evidence of that to back it up. I don't remember that at all, in fact many members here have speculated about when an offer like this would come up again.

It definitely happened. I'm sure in legalize language, this is not the same exact offer, so they'll weasel out. But it still makes Tivo sound like they've cried wolf too many times.

[dswallow]

I'm still confused about something on this upgrade S3 unit.....

I don't have cable (I have DIRECTV with HR10-250's), but I may upgrade an S1 unit I have that I'm not currently using. However, I would only use it to record OTA programming.

1) Does it have dual ATSC OTA tuners so I can record two shows at once?
2) Does it have an NTSC tuner for non-digital channels?
3) If the answer is no to either of the above, then does the other more expensive S3 unit do both?

Thanks for your help!

Ken
Both the TiVoHD and Series3 have dual tuners; each tuner can record ATSC OTA channels, NTSC analog cable channels, and QAM digital cable channels.

[ehanson]

I have one S2 with lifetime service. I want to upgrade to HD but keep the S2 in service as well. It seems obvious that I could just buy the HD and get the MSD on that box (option 1) but I'm concerned (as I've noted a couple of others are) about what happens when my S2 dies. So I'm thinking transfer the lifetime service to the HD and get the MSD on the S2 (Option 2). However, the offer says "This offer is not elgible for multi-service discount." (with the spelling error and everything!) Do you all take this to mean Option 2 is not an option?

[djw]

I just don't get paying for lifetime and the paying for it again... I suppose I always thought it was MY lifetime :)

[wdwms]

I just don't get paying for lifetime and the paying for it again... I suppose I always thought it was MY lifetime :)

I have no issue with it. For instance, our S1 has had lifetime since March 3, 2001.. that is 6 years, 7 months and 10 days! or in terms of months 79.33 I paid $199 for lifetime back then, so $199 / 79.33 months = $2.51 a month for service. Longer you use it, that value goes down.

So lets say I now pay to have my lifetime transferred and I shut down my S1 for good... I've now paid a total of $398...i'm now at $398 / 79.33 which is $5.01 per month. If i use the TivoHD for 2 years, it would be $398 / 103.33 which is $3.85 per month; 3 years $3.45, etc... Cheaper than any subscription Tivo offers.

If you want to "reset" the counter w/the TivoHD, thats fine.. $199 / 24 is $8.30 a moth, and for 3 years is $5.52...

Its all how you look at it.. I love my Tivos, and my $200 helps them stay in business a bit longer and get the service I need, i'm ok with that..

-t

[dswallow]

I have one S2 with lifetime service. I want to upgrade to HD but keep the S2 in service as well. It seems obvious that I could just buy the HD and get the MSD on that box (option 1) but I'm concerned (as I've noted a couple of others are) about what happens when my S2 dies. So I'm thinking transfer the lifetime service to the HD and get the MSD on the S2 (Option 2). However, the offer says "This offer is not elgible for multi-service discount." (with the spelling error and everything!) Do you all take this to mean Option 2 is not an option?
When you transfer lifetime your old unit will get 12 months of free service; after that you can choose your level of commitment on the old unit, if you want to keep it in service, and it'll receive MSD pricing.

[DVDerek]

It definitely happened. I'm sure in legalize language, this is not the same exact offer, so they'll weasel out. But it still makes Tivo sound like they've cried wolf too many times.

The fact remians... and offer was presented. Buy this TiVo at this price. Pay this price to transfer your lifetime service. This offer expires on this date. You weighed the pros and cons and you were well aware of the costs (and that they might very well drop - or even that TiVo might go out of business!).

You took the offer and now you're just upset someone else got a better one. Wah, wah, wah.

[choccy]

Because TiVo under Rogers has been adamant about getting rid of Lifetime service. Last year's Lifetime transfer offer specifically noted it wouldn't be offered again. In fact, I'm sure one of Shanon's videoclips specifically said so.

Well, technically, it hasn't happened again.. this is an offer to transfer to the Tivo HD unit, not the S3, right? That's a completely different offer. I don't believe the promised never to allow lifetime transfers ever again, ever.

I'm sure if/when they come up with another box they'll offer lifetime transfers to that, too.

[jeffk]

I really don't get these complaints. TiVo offered you a deal and you took it and now your upset other people are getting the same deal? Do you feel not VIP enough or something?

It was sold as this was a one time thing, it pushed me to get the series 3 at the time. I would of waited if this was not a '1 time deal' like they advertised it.

[bilbo]

Keep in mind that this offer only applies if you activated Lifetime service on your existing box prior to October 1, 2003.

I am actually glad they are putting the 4 year limitation on these latest Lifetime service transfer offers. By February 2009 (when my remaining S2 Tivo will have had Lifetime for over four years -- which works out to $6.25 per month over that time frame), they may be offering a $199 Lifetime Transfer to a Series 4 Tivo.

I might actually be tempted to do another Lifetime Transfer (took advantage of the original VIP lifetime transfer to the original Series 3), but Tivo is keeping me in check. I am going to be extremely tempted to buy another original Series 3 when/if Tivo goes live with High-Definition transfers next month (we are supposed to see this by the end of November?).

Speaking of February 2009, it will be strange to have a Tivo when George W. Bush isn't President. It doesn't seem like he was President when I got my first Tivo in early 2002, but by golly he was.

[morac]

While this is good for consumers the fact that they are willing to do a lifetime transfer on the HD, probably means it isn't selling that well (ie: they're trying to drive up sales).

[Ishma]

It was sold as this was a one time thing, it pushed me to get the series 3 at the time. I would of waited if this was not a '1 time deal' like they advertised it.

It was a one time deal. I haven't seen another Lifetime offer on the Series3.

I don't think it's realistic to think TiVo meant no lifetime offers on any other product ever.

My two cents...

[DancnDude]

While this is good for consumers the fact that they are willing to do a lifetime transfer on the HD, probably means it isn't selling that well (ie: they're trying to drive up sales).
I think of it more like they are trying to get rid of money-losing lifetime subscriptions that are still calling in. Since after 4 years, the TiVo is no longer on the books but is still costing them money in support costs. By upgrading these, they get the old units out of the pipeline and make some money off of them.

[Narf54321]

I think of it more like they are trying to get rid of money-losing lifetime subscriptions that are still calling in. Since after 4 years, the TiVo is no longer on the books but is still costing them money in support costs. By upgrading these, they get the old units out of the pipeline and make some money off of them.

I hardly think the old Lifetimes are all *that* taxing on their system.
Because of how they do the Lifetime transfer, what you're actually doing is paying $199 to enroll the old box into a new subscription for the "free year".

I highly suspect this is a way to boost the subscriptions numbers, especially since they show a net loss of subs last quarter.

[Koan]

I think of it more like they are trying to get rid of money-losing lifetime subscriptions that are still calling in. Since after 4 years, the TiVo is no longer on the books but is still costing them money in support costs. By upgrading these, they get the old units out of the pipeline and make some money off of them.This might have made sense if Tivo was offering the lifetime transfer on units purchased anywhere, but the offer is only for Tivo HDs bought directly from Tivo. The only sense I can make out of it is that Tivo has too much stock on hand. Otherwise, why omit the resellers?

[mrmike]

This might have made sense if Tivo was offering the lifetime transfer on units purchased anywhere, but the offer is only for Tivo HDs bought directly from Tivo. The only sense I can make out of it is that Tivo has too much stock on hand. Otherwise, why omit the resellers?

The VIP offer had the same verbiage. Didn't stop folks from getting transfers on other boxen.

[Narf54321]

You took the offer and now you're just upset someone else got a better one. Wah, wah, wah.

What I'm upset about is that TiVo staunchly ended the 'Lifetime Subscription' offer ostensibly because it was somehow costing them too much. (huh?) By offering LT transfers to S3 buyers, then to Dual-Tuner buyers, and now to TivoHD buyers -- the Lifetime service can't be hurting their bottom line that much.

What I'd certainly prefer that they do is simply reinstate the Lifetime option across the board for all purchasers, even at $499 or whatever. It would be a step in the right direction which would allow me to recommend Tivo to other people again.

[Wheens]

how does one find out his lifetime subscription start date?

[wickerbill]

how does one find out his lifetime subscription start date?

Login to your tivo account and look at the billing information. You could also just go to the offer page and put in your tivo service number and it will tell you if it qualifies.

[Koan]

The VIP offer had the same verbiage. Didn't stop folks from getting transfers on other boxen.Doesn't change the intent. It also remains to be seen with this offer - they turned me down when I tried it.

[edifice]

Well, you'd THINK it should have disappeared from your account. But Tivo apparently has some kind of magical database that is write only and can never be edited or allow for records to be erased, so it will show up on your account forever and ever (until maybe Tivo upgrades to DOS and some 1980's database that let's you delete a record).


Yes this does seem to be the case.. I called them and asked them why it still shows up and they said they did not know. They are confirmed that I did transfer the subscription to the new owner.

Brian

[dswallow]

What I'm upset about is that TiVo staunchly ended the 'Lifetime Subscription' offer ostensibly because it was somehow costing them too much. (huh?) By offering LT transfers to S3 buyers, then to Dual-Tuner buyers, and now to TivoHD buyers -- the Lifetime service can't be hurting their bottom line that much.

What I'd certainly prefer that they do is simply reinstate the Lifetime option across the board for all purchasers, even at $499 or whatever. It would be a step in the right direction which would allow me to recommend Tivo to other people again.
They're not creating new lifetime subscribers; they're getting more money from existing lifetime subscribers. These subscribers would be there anyway. Now they've gained another $199 from them for what they were already getting. And they're also gaining whatever profit there is in the hardware (or related sales), if any.

[sbourgeo]

I entered the service number for that unit and it said it wasn't eligible. I wonder if a phone call will help...... ;)

FYI, previous threads discussing this for the S3 lifetime transfer offer:

DirecTiVo lifetime now transferable to Series3? (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=332803&highlight=lifetime+transfer)
VIP offer and DirecTivo (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=315962&highlight=lifetime+transfer)

[dswallow]

As far as DirecTV transfers go, there's really no room for ambiguity with this offer:


http://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/hdservicetransferterms.html

4. Product Lifetime Subscriptions eligible to be transferred to a Qualifying DVR pursuant to this Offer must be (1) activated prior to October 1, 2003 and (2) not have been previously transferred pursuant to any prior transfer offer from TiVo. Only registered account owners of a Product Lifetime Subscription may transfer such Product Lifetime Subscription to the Qualifying DVR specified above in conjunction with this offer. DirectTV DVR’s with TiVo service not eligible for offer.

[DVDerek]

What I'm upset about is that TiVo staunchly ended the 'Lifetime Subscription' offer ostensibly because it was somehow costing them too much. (huh?)

Oh really? When did they say this? Promotions come and promotions go. Rebates, sales, you name it. Maybe they ended the promo because they reached the number of customers they intended to target. Maybe they ended it because they didnt think they needed it anymore. Maybe they ended it to focus attention away from the S3 while they were getting ready to crank out the HD.


By offering LT transfers to S3 buyers, then to Dual-Tuner buyers, and now to TivoHD buyers -- the Lifetime service can't be hurting their bottom line that much.


The LT service transfer gives them a quick influx of cash. Sometimes they decide they want that, other times they decide they don't. They are a business and are free to decide what they want and how they want to go about getting it.

What I'd certainly prefer that they do is simply reinstate the Lifetime option across the board for all purchasers, even at $499 or whatever. It would be a step in the right direction which would allow me to recommend Tivo to other people again.

And I'd prefer a pony. And lifetime at $1 too! That's great that it's what you want but they clearly think the economics of that doesn't scale and does not make them an attractive publicly traded company.

As for the "offer ends soon!" aspect of the argument - you must have a whole garage full of new cars, and various electronics still in their UPC-less boxes. Offers ALWAYS end soon. More offers ALWAYS come about. Maybe they wont be the exact offer on the exact item you want. Maybe it'll be worse, maybe it'll be better. You made a choice to act on the offer. Quit. Whining.

[Narf54321]

They're not creating new lifetime subscribers; they're getting more money from existing lifetime subscribers. These subscribers would be there anyway. Now they've gained another $199 from them for what they were already getting. And they're also gaining whatever profit there is in the hardware (or related sales), if any.

I think Rogers already stated they don't really make much on the hardware itself.

What I think they really get is another 'subscription' to roll into the next quarterly numbers for Wall Street.

[AbMagFab]

They're not creating new lifetime subscribers; they're getting more money from existing lifetime subscribers. These subscribers would be there anyway. Now they've gained another $199 from them for what they were already getting. And they're also gaining whatever profit there is in the hardware (or related sales), if any.
More importantly, they're likely gaining a new box. It's probably more likely that you'll add the THD to your account, along with whatever existing box has lifetime, than that you'll simply swap out the old box and add the new box. Especially with the 1-year free service on the old box.

So for (at least) a year, they've increased all their lifetime transfer accounts by a box. Looks good on the annual reports, and hopefully you'll get more addicted to Tivo, especially when MRV is fully enabled.

[sbourgeo]

DirectTV DVR’s with TiVo service not eligible for offer.

Oh well, so much for that idea... :p

[Narf54321]

Oh really? When did they say this?

March, 2006 (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=290514&page=1&pp=30)
There's a percentage of customers who don't want to be trapped in a recurring cost plan, especially for a luxury item such as TiVo. That's why when the last-chance LT transfer for the S3 came about many of us jumped on it.

And I'd prefer a pony. And lifetime at $1 too! That's great that it's what you want but they clearly think the economics of that doesn't scale and does not make them an attractive publicly traded company.

Given that Tivo has lost the grassroots support of folks like me, and is coincidentally suffering subscription losses, I'd say these new 'economics' are making them into an unattractive company. (And yes, I sold off my TIVO shares when they started changing and muddying the subscription plans. It became clear the company was headed in the wrong direction.)

As for the "offer ends soon!" aspect of the argument - you must have a whole garage full of new cars, and various electronics still in their UPC-less boxes. Offers ALWAYS end soon.

Don't be silly. Nobody believes the car manufacturers because they make these offers all the time. And likewise, Tivo Inc. has shown its stripes and nobody believes them anymore, either.

Quit. Whining.
Didn't you know? Al Gore invented the Internet for complaining.

[Eccles]

They're not creating new lifetime subscribers; they're getting more money from existing lifetime subscribers. These subscribers would be there anyway. Now they've gained another $199 from them for what they were already getting. And they're also gaining whatever profit there is in the hardware (or related sales), if any.Precisely. It makes sense from a bookkeeping point-of-view as Lifetime subscriptions are amortized over four years on their books, so once they reach their 4th anniversary they no longer appear in the revenue column. By offering a $199 transfer option, TiVo effectively gets a fresh subscription which they can amortize over the next four years. I will be very surprised if they don't continue to make these rolling offers to refresh their revenue numbers on Lifetime subs, possibly even each quarter.

Since Time-Warner Austin is pushing SDV so aggressively, I think my best option is to go with their SA8300HD DVR for my HD content for now and retain my S2 for analog SD content - I'm confident that there will be a chance to transfer my lifetime subscription to a forthcoming SDV-capable HD TiVo before too very long. I just hope the 8300HD's interface and unreliability don't drive me up the wall before then!

[Eccles]

What I'm upset about is that TiVo staunchly ended the 'Lifetime Subscription' offer ostensibly because it was somehow costing them too much.

March, 2006 (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=290514&page=1&pp=30)Nowhere in that announcement does it say why they dropped Lifetime. You're putting words into their mouths.

[TiivoDog]

I have one S2 with lifetime service. I want to upgrade to HD but keep the S2 in service as well. It seems obvious that I could just buy the HD and get the MSD on that box (option 1) but I'm concerned (as I've noted a couple of others are) about what happens when my S2 dies. So I'm thinking transfer the lifetime service to the HD and get the MSD on the S2 (Option 2). However, the offer says "This offer is not elgible for multi-service discount." (with the spelling error and everything!) Do you all take this to mean Option 2 is not an option?

When you transfer lifetime you're old unit will get 12 months of free service; after that you can choose your level of commitment on the old unit, if you want to keep it in service, and it'll receive MSD pricing.

Yes, so effectively you are only paying $115.60 for your upgrade from your Series2 to the TivoHD, so that should sound more palatable, eh?

$199.00 Lifetime Upgrade to TivoHD
$ 83.40 Less 12 Months of free service on your Series2 ($6.95 x 12 mos)
$115.60 Net Payment

I took the plunge last year, when I upgraded 3 new Series3 units and kept my 3 Series2 units for my boys. Now, I might just jump on the TivoHD bandwagon and ditch/sell their Series2 units in lieu of new TivoHD units that have now been reasonably priced (e.g. Amazon $249.99).

[moolman]

Narf54321,
I think we learned a valueable lesson from this thread that you can take for the rest of your life. Don't believe salesman and their pitches of limited time offers, especially from used car salesmen and Tivo salesmen. :D

[Narf54321]

Nowhere in that announcement does it say why they dropped Lifetime. You're putting words into their mouths.

You mean nowhere where it specifically says:
"The product lifetime service option will be eliminated next week."

[nigebj]

Why oh why must we have the "Tivo should let me transfer my Lifetime subscription I paid for 'n' years ago" and "The deal I see today is better than the one I couldn't live without last <insert date>" debate everytime Tivo try to drive up their sales. After all, as noted by someone else earlier - this is NOT to make any existing customers feel good, bad or otherwise - it's just an excuse to move more units AND get an extra $200 out of the "paid once and happy until they release a new unit" crowd.

Grow up - Lifetime was, is and always will be - the life of the unit. Tivo just allow you to 'move' that Lifetime subscription occasionally because you demonstrated a distinct dislike for monthly fees - and they'll lose you completely otherwise.

Anyway - as my Lifetime was activated too late (for this offer) - it'll just Keep me from moving on a new TivoHD just yet. That said, MSD means there's an almost 3 year recovery anyway - can anyone say 'Series 4' :)

[Narf54321]

Narf54321,
I think we learned a valueable lesson from this thread that you can take for the rest of your life. Don't believe salesman and their pitches of limited time offers, especially from used car salesmen and Tivo salesmen. :D

But Shanon wooed me so well, especially when she said I was a "V.I.P." and she would never offer this deal to anyone ever again. :rolleyes:

(I hear the new LT transfer offers are flat emails.)

[David Scavo]

They're not creating new lifetime subscribers; they're getting more money from existing lifetime subscribers. These subscribers would be there anyway. Now they've gained another $199 from them for what they were already getting. And they're also gaining whatever profit there is in the hardware (or related sales), if any.And they are turning a lifetime box into a box that goes monthly in 12 months.

That box that might be given away to a non-TIVO user (hey try this it comes with a free year of service), kept at the monthly rate (oops forgot to cancel that), etc....

[DancnDude]

Nowhere in that announcement does it say why they dropped Lifetime. You're putting words into their mouths.
Check out this post (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3842932&&#post3842932)

[Eccles]

Check out this post (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3842932&&#post3842932)OK, I've read that, but I still don't see anywhere where they say "Lifetime was costing us too much" per Narf's ealier quote, but merely that they decided to do away with it in favor of their new pricing structure.

I'm prepared to accept the assumption that that was a contributing factor in their decision, but I don't recall anyone from TiVo explicitly saying as much.

Semantics, I guess, and I'll let it drop at that.

[dmichels82]

I just bought a TiVoHD at Best Buy and transferred the service without any problem. I was worried because the rep asked me if I was going to buy the box from the website or if I got it somewhere else but when I said that I had gotten it from Best Buy she didn't care.

[fatlard]

great news that they let you transfer

[Koan]

I just bought a TiVoHD at Best Buy and transferred the service without any problem. I was worried because the rep asked me if I was going to buy the box from the website or if I got it somewhere else but when I said that I had gotten it from Best Buy she didn't care.Glad to hear it. I'll have to try again and hopefully get your CSR.

[rodneyb]

which department should you select when you call the number. I just tried 15 times in a row. The first 14 times it was busy, the 15th time I got through and picked the new activation department and I got sent to voicemail.

[mrmike]

which department should you select when you call the number. I just tried 15 times in a row. The first 14 times it was busy, the 15th time I got through and picked the new activation department and I got sent to voicemail.

The phones may have been out (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=369777)

[Narf54321]

"Lifetime was costing us too much"

I'm prepared to accept the assumption that that was a contributing factor in their decision, but I don't recall anyone from TiVo explicitly saying as much.


Its a common refrain from the Rogers supporters and a few spreadsheet jockeys on this site. Apparently we Lifetimers don't have any monetary value to add for TiVo, or worse: that we're a "drain" on the company resources.

Zatz did a interesting breakdown of customer churn (http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2007-03/tivos-churn-a-closer-look/) about six months ago or so, where they noted Lifetime users cost more than the "revenue" brought in from the Tivo ads. It's probably the closest to an actual account without picking apart a ton of boring old quarterly reports. All of this ignores efforts we make to turn other folks onto Tivo products.

(Insert Wilde's quote about the bean counters knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing).

In stark contrast to the article's glad-handing of Rogers and his revenue performance, six months later we're now seeing large dropoffs in subscribers.

The real point to our frustration is watching the company we love sink lower into the realm shared by shady cell-phone like sales tactics.

[schwinn]

Yes, so effectively you are only paying $115.60 for your upgrade from your Series2 to the TivoHD, so that should sound more palatable, eh?

$199.00 Lifetime Upgrade to TivoHD
$ 83.40 Less 12 Months of free service on your Series2 ($6.95 x 12 mos)
$115.60 Net Payment

I took the plunge last year, when I upgraded 3 new Series3 units and kept my 3 Series2 units for my boys. Now, I might just jump on the TivoHD bandwagon and ditch/sell their Series2 units in lieu of new TivoHD units that have now been reasonably priced (e.g. Amazon $249.99).
Or, looking at it the other way:
$ 0.00 Keep the existing LT on your older box
$ 83.40 12 months of service on your new TivoHD
$ 83.40 Net Payment

Both scenarios allow you to run both units for the first year. After the first year, keeping both boxes running costs another $83.40 per year... making the 2nd and following years equivalent.

So, the bottom line - For those who don't need/want 2 boxes running, the first option is clearly cheaper after approximately the second year... since you don't have to keep paying the ~$83 per year, as you would in the second scenario.

If you want to keep only one box running, and plan to keep it for at least 2 years, then scenario 1 works better. If you want to keep both running, then scenario 2 is a little better.

My 2c...

[timckelley]

Keep in mind that this offer only applies if you activated Lifetime service on your existing box prior to October 1, 2003.Raw deal! Both my lifetimes (including series 1) were activated more recently than that. :(

Correction! My series 2 was activated on 4-23-2003, so it qualifies. :)

But I'd rather transfer the series 1, but I activated lifetime on that one on 3-14-2006 :(

[choccy]

But I'd rather transfer the series 1, but I activated lifetime on that one on 3-14-2006 :(

Why on earth would you activate an S1 for lifetime in 2006 when you could have picked up a new S2 for practically free at that time?

[Mars Rocket]

I have an S1 TiVo that's had lifetime on it since May of 2000 (and is still in heavy daily use). If I get even half that life out of a new TiVo HD that replaces it then I'd be ahead of the game financially if I paid the $200 up front for lifetime service, even considering the discount on additional units. I'll have no need for the S1 unit after I upgrade to an HD.

[timckelley]

Why on earth would you activate an S1 for lifetime in 2006 when you could have picked up a new S2 for practically free at that time?I actually bought it in January, 2005 (a used TiVo I bought off ebay) but used it unsubbed for a whole year. My idea at the time was that I really didn't need two subs in the house, and that manual recordings would be fine for my needs. I let my wife keep the subbed S2 while I got the unsubbed S1. The difference in features at that time were fairly small to me. (I didn't care about folders, for example.)

Later, in 2006, a drive went bad, and I fixed it myself. But while it was out of commission, I was borrowing my wife's TiVo, and suddenly realized how much nicer it was to have a subscription, so after I fixed the TiVo, I went ahead and subbed monthly using the multi-TiVo discount, but then they announced Lifetiems were permenantly being eliminated, so as this was my last chance to get a lifetime, or forever hold my peace, I decided my S1 had enough life left in it to justify subbing it lifetime.

Now, the other drive (it's a 2-drive model) just went bad, and I just fixed that one a few days ago, using a drive I had lieing around my house, so the repair was 100% free. :) I still haven't recouped the cost of my lifetime as it's only been 1.5 years since I subbed it, but the S1 is still going strong.

Oh, but to answer the question why, in 2006, when I first subbed the thing, why didn't I just get an S2, the answer is because my S1 was an upgraded model with a fairly large amount of space. Well, I guess I could have just move the drives over to a new S2, but then I think I would have also needed a special cooling system installed, as S2's have more trouble than S1's handling 2 drives. Also, I didn't think it was worth the work to set all that up, when I already had a perfectly fine working S1 with all the space I wanted, and I didn't really care about the extra features at that time.

(Admittedly, later on, I regretting not having the ability move shows between TiVos, so maybe it was a mistake not getting an S2.)

[Sirwill]

So I bought a HD at COSTCO today for $279. Called tonight and transfered my lifetime to it with NO issues what so ever.

So that to me says it doesn't matter where you buy it from.

Now if Only I could justify doing my other S1 with lifetime... Of course I don't even have an HD TV YET.

[kingmob]

I just transferred Lifetime from a Series 1 (11/2000 subscription) to a TiVo HD purchased at Best Buy. The CSR asked for information about the email that I received about the offer but that was it. Nothing about where I bought the THD.

[jfh3]

I have a S1 that was activated with Lifetime prior to January 2000. I've heard something about this being a "grandfathered" unit which gives me the right to transfer this subscription to another box for free.

I'm considering moving up to an HD (or maybe an S3) and am wondering if anyone can give me details on this rumor?

If it's true, are there limitations on where I can purchase the new unit (i.e. only direct from Tivo)? How do I go about making the subscription transfer?

Thanks for any assistance!


I didn't see an answer to this.

If you have a grandfathered Series 1, you can transfer the lifetime service to any new Tivo, purchased from any place you like.

To do this, call Tivo. They will want the Tivo serial number of the Series 1 and the new Tivo. They will transfer the service (takes a few minutes). When the transfer is complete, there will be no service on the Series 1 box (though you can still use limited recording functions on most S1 boxes).

[jfh3]

This might have made sense if Tivo was offering the lifetime transfer on units purchased anywhere, but the offer is only for Tivo HDs bought directly from Tivo. The only sense I can make out of it is that Tivo has too much stock on hand. Otherwise, why omit the resellers?

Easy. Tivo loses money on every THD box sold by retailers. They essentially break even on selling the hardware directly at $299. It's in their best interests to promote direct sales.

[jfh3]

More importantly, they're likely gaining a new box. It's probably more likely that you'll add the THD to your account, along with whatever existing box has lifetime, than that you'll simply swap out the old box and add the new box. Especially with the 1-year free service on the old box.

So for (at least) a year, they've increased all their lifetime transfer accounts by a box. Looks good on the annual reports, and hopefully you'll get more addicted to Tivo, especially when MRV is fully enabled.

True, but even if the old box is retired in a year, the end user is now using a Series 3 platform box, not a Series 1, and can use broadband services like Amazon Unbox that generate additional revenue.

[Stylin]

yeah as a early adopter i shelled out close to 1k for the S3 and transfer of lifetime, I made the move because i thought this was it it was then or never again would lifetime come up.

Tivo is acting in desperation it seems so i guess i would rather have tivo exist and me get shafted a bit than tivo go under.....

Us S3 guys got the shaft, tivo released a new version way too quick...the additional lifetime offer is icing on the cake.

As far as guys saying that its the risk of being an early adopter...how many times have you seen a new release within months?? Hell even Steve Jobs had a heart..

Yeah, I made the leap last year, too. I could have sworn last year they told us "V.I.P." subscribers that this was the absolute last chance, only possible way to get Lifetime service on a new box.

I get the feeling that with the drop in subscriber numbers that they're trying anything to boost them back up again. Kinda of explains the short time window for this newest, last-chance, only possible way to get Lifetime service. They enroll your old TiVo unit into a recurring billing plan (first year "free" -- for $199), and then you probably count as two subscriptions.


Even tho I didn't jump on the previous LT offer, I seriously considered it and poured over the info in various threads. You are correct, they definitely made it sound like this was going to be a "once in a tivo lifetime" offer - They were never going to offer this again. BUT, the part where you "1K VIP's" erred was not doing enough research and taking TiVo's history into acct. You bought the speel, and somehow covinced yourself that shelling out $800-$1K to have this new gadget was worth it to you. And you know what? I'm sure it probably was worth it, especially if you had the cash to spare. But what you KNEW (and chose to ignore or push to the back of your mind) is:
- Sooner or later an S3 rebate would be introduced. $200 seemed to be the figure floating around. Speculators were correct.
- TiVo would have to introduce a less expensive "gap device" between the S2DT and S3. I think it was being referred to as the S2.5 or HDlite.
- TiVo wants S1 LT boxes out of circulaton (therefore at least other LT xfer offers for hos boxes were going to come up)

You probably bought the line when they said that only S3's purchased from tivo.com qualified too, just like they are saying with this HD offer. Give it a week or so, and I'm sure we'll start hearing reports of retail purchases qualifying - Oh wait! that's already happening lol. I also predict that if I bought a retail S3, they'd prolly allow the xfer too.

Like others, you could've have just added the S3 via MSD, giving yourself the flexibility to redeem the rebate, and swap or add new equipment later on...
When we really want to buy somethig we make many excuses and ignore many reasons to wait. Early S3 LT adapters made those buying justifications. You wanted that LTS3 and were willing to pay for it. You knew the pro's and con's and decided to take the risk. Chalk it up to "Early Adapter" tax we all pay on newly introduced items.

If it's any consolation, the "VIP offer" was still an exclusive 1 time deal, the latest offers have subscription date requirements, whereas the VIP was open to any LT subs. Many who took the offer prolly wouldn't have qualified for this one.

PS - Hang on to those pre2003 boxes, especially the non networked S1's. I suspect TiVo will makeus even better future offers.

[Stylin]

Or, looking at it the other way:
$ 0.00 Keep the existing LT on your older box
$ 83.40 12 months of service on your new TivoHD
$ 83.40 Net Payment

Both scenarios allow you to run both units for the first year. After the first year, keeping both boxes running costs another $83.40 per year... making the 2nd and following years equivalent.

So, the bottom line - For those who don't need/want 2 boxes running, the first option is clearly cheaper after approximately the second year... since you don't have to keep paying the ~$83 per year, as you would in the second scenario.

If you want to keep only one box running, and plan to keep it for at least 2 years, then scenario 1 works better. If you want to keep both running, then scenario 2 is a little better.

My 2c...
Thanks for your $0.02, taking into consideration my above post, and your post has helped me make my decision. I'm keeping my LTS1, and will add an S3 and/or HD via msd. I need 3 working TiVo's in my household, but currently only need 1 with hd capabilities. I already have an LTS2 (doesn't qualify for this offer).

[doppler1]

I too was able to transfer lifetime to a TiVo not purchased from TiVo.com... They asked me about the e-mail I received as well...not sure what that was all about.

For others that did the transfer, did the Lifetime show on the TiVo HD immediately? Mine shows with the 1 year right now, and the box I was transferring from still shows with Lifetime...Not sure if that is normal or not, but TiVo opened a case number for it, so I'm not worried about it.

[missdona]

Me too. They didn't even ask where I got it.

[jfh3]

Its a common refrain from the Rogers supporters and a few spreadsheet jockeys on this site. Apparently we Lifetimers don't have any monetary value to add for TiVo, or worse: that we're a "drain" on the company resources.

Lifetime subs don't provide any service revenue if they are are greater than 4 years old, but they still add monetary value (ad revenue, etc.). However, at this point in time, the cost to provide service to those boxes exceed that revenue.

If the lifetime sub is less than 4 years old, it's still a net positive for Tivo, but certainly no where near a new monthly subscription.

[trlyka]

Not that I can make sense of the logic, but.......It is my understanding that only the $299 HD Tivo is the one you can transfer your lifetime sub to. If you get the S3 HD Tivo, you won't have the lifetime transfer option. Is this correct?

Perhaps someone knows why they only do the transfer on the cheaper of the 2 Tivo's? Of course I want the S3, but I will probably get the regular HD Tivo for Mom. She isn't into the extras like THX....

Also, you HAVE to buy the Tivo from them to do the lifetime transfer...I love everything about Tivo, except being forced to pay top dollar when a good deal comes along :down:

Has anyone tried to get the lifetime transfer deal for the S3?

[Sirwill]

[QUOTE=trlyka]

Also, you HAVE to buy the Tivo from them to do the lifetime transfer...I love everything about Tivo, except being forced to pay top dollar when a good deal comes along :down:

QUOTE]


Not true, I bought mine at Costco Yesterday, and transfered my lifetime to it last night with NO ISSUE at all.

[tj722]

I too was able to transfer lifetime to a TiVo not purchased from TiVo.com... They asked me about the e-mail I received as well...not sure what that was all about.

For others that did the transfer, did the Lifetime show on the TiVo HD immediately? Mine shows with the 1 year right now, and the box I was transferring from still shows with Lifetime...Not sure if that is normal or not, but TiVo opened a case number for it, so I'm not worried about it.

Yeah, mine shows up the same way. Should I call them back?

[Resist]

How strict is Tivo about the lifetime requirements? We got our Series 2 in mid Decemeber of 2003. Seems like of lame if we couldn't get the lifetime transfer deal for a new HD Tivo. Not even 3 months outside the date.

[jfh3]

For others that did the transfer, did the Lifetime show on the TiVo HD immediately? Mine shows with the 1 year right now, and the box I was transferring from still shows with Lifetime...Not sure if that is normal or not, but TiVo opened a case number for it, so I'm not worried about it.

What you see is normal and how it worked last year with the original VIP Series 3 transfer offer. The service status won't be "swapped" for about 60 days (or so). There is a thread from last September than explains all the details as to why they do it this way.

[c3]

Not even 3 months outside the date.

If you think 3 months should be allowed, then how about 4 months? 5? 6?

[Resist]

I said not even three months. But yes I think Tivo should allow it if they want continued revenue on the books from a lifetime subscription. In a few month they will be losing my revenue and I will be the one making out on the deal from here on. Because for me at least, I will not purchase a Tivo HD box if I can't get another lifetime subscription for it. It really is a deal breaker for me.

[trlyka]

[QUOTE=trlyka]

Also, you HAVE to buy the Tivo from them to do the lifetime transfer...I love everything about Tivo, except being forced to pay top dollar when a good deal comes along :down:

QUOTE]


Not true, I bought mine at Costco Yesterday, and transfered my lifetime to it last night with NO ISSUE at all.

Ok, I called Tivo and asked for some clarification. I was told that not only can I buy from another source, I have to. Something about their boxes already coming with a subscription built in. Where as if you buy from a Costco/Amazon type place, there is nothing linked to it and that's when you can transfer the lifetime subscription. I am not sure how this makes sense for Tivo, but I didn't question it.

So then I asked about the S3 Tivo and the offer from late 2006 to transfer the lifetime sub. I told her we really wanted this offer, but we couldn't afford it then. She said we can still do it. Just mention the offer and it won't be a problem.

So it looks like I will be getting 2 S3 Tivo's from the cheapest source I can find (looks like Amazon right now at $369.00) and I will be able to transfer 2 of our lifetime sub's. :)


Why I was confused.....According to this link, you can only buy from Tivo. See #2....

http://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/hdservicetransferterms.html

But Tivo says otherwise :confused:

[Amnesia]

HSeems like of lame if we couldn't get the lifetime transfer deal for a new HD Tivo. Not even 3 months outside the date.Hell, my dad activated his about two weeks outside the window...

[trlyka]

Hell, my dad activated his about two weeks outside the window...

When did he purchase the Tivo? Was it before Oct. 2003? Maybe he was able to transfer based on the Tivo purchase date vs. subscription activation date?

Or perhaps he is long time Tivo user. I wonder if they look at your history and determine if they will bend the rules for certain subscribers. I can see that happening. Where I work, we can always bend the rules. It's just a matter if we want to or not depending on the customers account history.......

[Amnesia]

When did he purchase the Tivo? Was it before Oct. 2003? Maybe he was able to transfer based on the Tivo purchase date vs. subscription activation date?.I bought the S2 for him on 8 October 2003.

He's been thinking about getting a TivoHD for a while, but he has been been waiting for a lifetime transfer offer. Now finally it comes and he misses the cutoff date by just a few weeks...

[dheerema]

Wonder why they won't transfer more recent lifetime activations?

I think they want to get rid of the units that are using modems. They cost more for Tivo to support.

[Sirwill]

Yeah, mine shows up the same way. Should I call them back?


I was told that it would show up that way for 60 days and then they would flip.

[wdwms]

I think they want to get rid of the units that are using modems. They cost more for Tivo to support.

How can you justify that? All Tivos, all versions have modems!

[c3]

I think they want to get rid of the units that are using modems. They cost more for Tivo to support.

Nothing to do with modems. It's simply for lifetime units more than 4 years old which are no longer earning revenue.

[hkancyr]

I just ordered my HD from TiVo. I will be transferring my S1 lifetime. No mention of having to get it someplace else. That sounds fishy to me. I would have loved to get it elsewhere and save a few bux, but too late now.
I have been waiting for this deal to appear and wondering if my trusty S1 would kick the bucket before it happened.
I guess I'll look around this forum and find a good use for the S1 for a year from now, when the sub dies.

[dheerema]

How can you justify that? All Tivos, all versions have modems!

True, but almost all S1 users actually use them. anyone using MRV, is using internet connection.

[moolman]

Did you ask if you still qualify for the $200 rebate on the S3 if you transfer lifetime to it. It was mentioned in another post that a new subscription is required for the rebate, so a transfer disqualifies you for the rebate. It also says in the fine print that a new subscription is required for 30 days. Maybe they consider a transfer of lifetime a new subscription. Anybody know.




[QUOTE=Sirwill]

Ok, I called Tivo and asked for some clarification. I was told that not only can I buy from another source, I have to. Something about their boxes already coming with a subscription built in. Where as if you buy from a Costco/Amazon type place, there is nothing linked to it and that's when you can transfer the lifetime subscription. I am not sure how this makes sense for Tivo, but I didn't question it.

So then I asked about the S3 Tivo and the offer from late 2006 to transfer the lifetime sub. I told her we really wanted this offer, but we couldn't afford it then. She said we can still do it. Just mention the offer and it won't be a problem.

So it looks like I will be getting 2 S3 Tivo's from the cheapest source I can find (looks like Amazon right now at $369.00) and I will be able to transfer 2 of our lifetime sub's. :)


Why I was confused.....According to this link, you can only buy from Tivo. See #2....

http://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/hdservicetransferterms.html

But Tivo says otherwise :confused:

[AbMagFab]

Did you ask if you still qualify for the $200 rebate on the S3 if you transfer lifetime to it. It was mentioned in another post that a new subscription is required for the rebate, so a transfer disqualifies you for the rebate. It also says in the fine print that a new subscription is required for 30 days. Maybe they consider a transfer of lifetime a new subscription. Anybody know.[QUOTE=trlyka]
Transferring any other subscription invalidates the $200 rebate (or any rebate). Not sure how the lifetime transfer works though, since you are technically adding a new box, and a new subscription.

My guess is the rebate won't work.

[Resist]

I was told that not only can I buy from another source, I have to. Something about their boxes already coming with a subscription built in.This makes sense because if you look at Tivo's site and try to buy a HD box it will only let you do it if you also pick a subscription with it. Thanks for the info, I was wondering why it wouldn't let me pick just a box.

[JYoung]

Because you have to go to this page:
http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-promo/show.do?pg=/buytivo/hdservicetransfer.html

[philliptiongson]

After reading posts about being able to transfer lifetime to a non-Tivo website Tivo, I ran out to CC and got a TivoHD. I fired it up, and called customer service. They transferred service no problem. I am on the line with Time Warner Cable to set up Cable Card delivery right now.

I also used the AAA CC 10% discount! When the cashier first rang it up, the Tivo did NOT get discounted 10%, but I was persistent, and eventually the manager gave me the discount...

[trlyka]

After reading posts about being able to transfer lifetime to a non-Tivo website Tivo, I ran out to CC and got a TivoHD. I fired it up, and called customer service. They transferred service no problem. I am on the line with Time Warner Cable to set up Cable Card delivery right now.

I also used the AAA CC 10% discount! When the cashier first rang it up, the Tivo did NOT get discounted 10%, but I was persistent, and eventually the manager gave me the discount...

How much did you pay or the Tivo at CC? Amazon has it for $369.00 after rebate.

[trlyka]

Did you ask if you still qualify for the $200 rebate on the S3 if you transfer lifetime to it. It was mentioned in another post that a new subscription is required for the rebate, so a transfer disqualifies you for the rebate. It also says in the fine print that a new subscription is required for 30 days. Maybe they consider a transfer of lifetime a new subscription. Anybody know.




[QUOTE=trlyka]

Who issues the rebates, Amazon or Tivo? I would assume that Amazon is the one honoring the rebate. I wouldn't think they would care about what you will do with the box as far as subscription services :confused:

I mean what you pay for the Tivo is between you and Amazon.

[c3]

No, Amazon has nothing to do with the rebate.

[brothers]

Just adding a "Me, too", with a small glitch: I bught two THDs last sunday at Best Buy ("right now" was a lot more important than "cheap", at the time - failing S1 TiVo). Activated them on the multi-unit discount (6.95/mo each) based on my lifetime S1. Got the email mid-week; assumed I didn't qualify.

Finally had time to read through the various threads on the subject (this one included), figured I had nothing to lose, and called the number. Very nice woman said, at first, that I didn't qualify because I hadn't bought directly from Tivo. I said "But, but, but... lots of reports of yada yada yada..."; she said "OK, let me try to put it through". She came back and said it was rejected. I asked if that might be because I had already activated; she allowed as that might be the case. Suggested that (since I was within the 30 days) I could cancel the service and try again. I asked if she could do that for me, and she said probably - let me escalate this; gave me a case number.

Few minutes on hold, gentleman comes on; "How may I help you". I give him the case number, he pulls it up, says "No problem - just let me fill in this template". Hold again; comes back with "Which THD do you want the lifetime transferred to?"; a little later with "What credit card do you want to charge it to?". A little later with "Done", and information about when the changes will show up (61 days).

And then, "Oh by the way, you'll show a $6.95 credit for the cancelled activation".

It doesn't get much better than this, service-wise.

- Dennis

[philliptiongson]

I bought a THD for 270 + tax at CC (300 - 10% discount). I think amazon is cheaper, but this way I was able to return it easily if Tivo didn't let me transfer...

YMMV...

[Resist]

This is all interesting because I just got off the phone with Tivo and they said the HD Box has to be purchased from them to get the lifetime transfer deal. I informed them that many people are buying their boxes from places like CC, BB or Costco and still getting the deal. The Tivo rep I spoke to was like, "really?". They also would not make an exception in the requirements. So my Series 2 Tivo purchased in mid December of 2003, does not qualify. I guess Tivo will not be getting my money this time around then.

[brothers]

This is all interesting because I just got off the phone with Tivo and they said the HD Box has to be purchased from them to get the lifetime transfer deal. I informed them that many people are buying their boxes from places like CC, BB or Costco and still getting the deal. The Tivo rep I spoke to was like, "really?". They also would not make an exception in the requirements. So my Series 2 Tivo purchased in mid December of 2003, does not qualify. I guess Tivo will not be getting my money this time around then.

I suspect that they're much more flexible on where you bought the THD than they are on when you bought the lifetime.

- Dennis

[Koan]

I suspect that they're much more flexible on where you bought the THD than they are on when you bought the lifetime.

- Dennis
And it may depend on who you talk to. After initially being rejected for not buying directly from Tivo, I called again a few days later and successfully transferred lifetime from my Series 1 to the Tivo HD.

[Resist]

So I am supposed to call numerous times until I get a Tivo rep that will give me what I want?

[wdwms]

So I am supposed to call numerous times until I get a Tivo rep that will give me what I want?

Here is what I said after I picked up a TivoHD at CC on saturday... First I did not open the TivoHD box until I had the xfer complete. I called the tivo activation line and waited about 20 minutes. When the CSR came on the phone I said, "Hi, my TivoHD just arrived and I'd like to initiate the lifetime transfer from my old S1".

The CSR had no issue and within 3-4 minutes all was done!

-t

[Resist]

Well that is great but again.....they also said my old Series 2 Tivo didn't qualify for the lifetime transfer deal, as it is 2 months short of the time period.

[busyba]

So I am supposed to call numerous times until I get a Tivo rep that will give me what I want?
The first time I called, I followed the menu tree to go to the billing dept. After I got a message saying I would be on hold for 20 minutes, I hung up and redialed and this time followed the menu tree to say I wanted to cancel my service. A representitive answered right away and was very helpful in transferring my LT sub.

I imagine that the CSR's who work the retention dept are trained to be much more accomodating than the regular CSR's are, even if you aren't actually trying to cancel anything. :D

[busyba]

By the way... I called TiVo on saturday and took care of the transfer. My "Manage My Accounts" page on the TiVo website immediately was changed (to that not-quite-right configuration that everyone gets for the first 60 days), but both my boxes have phoned home several times since then and they both still show the same account statuses each as they did before.

When can I expect the transfer to reflect in the System Information on the TiVo units themselves?

[slay65]

I want to get in on this deal but I am not sure the best way. My dad has a tivo series 1 that I gave him 6 years ago. When I gave it to him he activated lifetime on the unit. He no longer uses the unit (he has 3 directivo's) and I want to transfer the lifetime from that unit to a tivohd I plan to buy.

I checked online and the tivo service number is eligible for the transfer. The tivo is still in his name so should I transfer the unit first to my name tonight. Then buy the new unit and then transfer the lifetime. Or should I just buy the new tivo and then call them to transfer the lifetime. The 3rd option is to just have him transfer the lifetime to the new unit. Then sometime later I would transfer the new Tivo to my name.

Any suggestions?

[dswallow]

I want to get in on this deal but I am not sure the best way. My dad has a tivo series 1 that I gave him 6 years ago. When I gave it to him he activated lifetime on the unit. He no longer uses the unit (he has 3 directivo's) and I want to transfer the lifetime from that unit to a tivohd I plan to buy.

I checked online and the tivo service number is eligible for the transfer. The tivo is still in his name so should I transfer the unit first to my name tonight. Then buy the new unit and then transfer the lifetime. Or should I just buy the new tivo and then call them to transfer the lifetime. The 3rd option is to just have him transfer the lifetime to the new unit. Then sometime later I would transfer the new Tivo to my name.

Any suggestions?
Transfer the Series 1 lifetime unit to your name first; it takes little more than a phone call.

[mattack]

How much did you pay or the Tivo at CC? Amazon has it for $369.00 after rebate.

You must mean the S3?

The TivoHD is $249 at Amazon.

[armooo]

I just went out to CC and picked up a THD. I called in to take advantage of the lifetime transfer ( from my S2 from dec 2002). I was not asked about a credit card or a $199 fee. And now in my account management only the new TiVo is listed, and it shows up with the Lifetime Sub. Is this normal?

[timckelley]

You're saying you successfully switched a lifetime without paying the $199?!?!? :eek:

[armooo]

It seems that way to me. I gave her both of my TSNs, she put be on hold for about 3 min and came back and said I was all set. I went and checked the site because it seemed strange to me, and I saw the lifetime on my THD. And I thought it would take 61 days to showup.

[MannyE]

OK so if everything I have read is correct:

My start date on "manage my account" is Dec 12, 1999.

I should qualify for that grandfathered-in transfer for my lifetime sub to ANY Tivo at ANY time right?

If this is so... I don't have to go crazy calling for this deal because I can wait until the next HD unit comes out (which by then might also include some sort of provision for DirecTV or Dish) and then get my lifetime transferred RIGHT?

Could this be maybe ONE time being an early adopter actually paid off?

[ourdoc]

It seems that way to me. I gave her both of my TSNs, she put be on hold for about 3 min and came back and said I was all set. I went and checked the site because it seemed strange to me, and I saw the lifetime on my THD. And I thought it would take 61 days to showup.

And when they catch it, you will receive email letting you know unless you contact them to take care of the payment, your lifetime will go away. The same thing happened when I did my last transfer. I'd wait for them to contact you though :)

[imreolajos]

Damn Amazon! They are too damn cheap! :)

I was about to order my TiVo HD from them when I noticed that the Series3 box is only $370 after a mail-in rebate.

I'm planning to keep my current DT S2 box, too - it's practically brand new, I had to get my old non-DT S2 box replaced due to a HD failure just recently, so I got this refurbed unit from TiVo. Works great! Okay, so let's calculate:

Scenario #1 - Buy TiVo HD, keep current dual-tuner Series 2, transfer S2 lifetime over to HD. Total immediate cost: $250 (TiVo HD from Amazon) + $200 (lifetime switchover) = $450. Get 1 year of service on old S2 for free, afterwards it's $85/year with a 3 year commitment. Total cost over 4 years: $450 + 3 x $85 = $705.

Scenario #2 - Buy TiVo HD, keep current dual-tuner Series 2. Keep lifetime service on S2 (free). Total immediate cost: $250 (TiVo HD from Amazon). Get service on new box, with 3 year commitment it's $85/year. Total cost over 4 years: $250 + 4 x $85 = $590.

Scenario #3 - Buy TiVo Series3 HD, keep current dual-tuner Series 2. Keep lifetime service on S2 (free). Total immediate cost: $370 (TiVo Series3 from Amazon w/ $200 rebate). Get service on new box, with 3 year commitment it's $85/year. Total cost over 4 years: $370 + 4 x $85 = $710.

Hmm, I don't know about you guys, but for $5 more over 4 years, scenario #3 sure looks like a great deal to me over scenario #1! And scenario #2 looks even better for me, so I don't know why I should bother with this lifetime switch bait...

Is there a catch on the Series3 rebate? Like, can it be a second TiVo service activation, or does it have to be a brand new service (which would disqualify me and would make my scenario #3 look a lot worse)?

[Resist]

Where do you get that the service costs $85 a year for a 3 year plan? Try $99.66 a year.

[timckelley]

I should qualify for that grandfathered-in transfer for my lifetime sub to ANY Tivo at ANY time right? ... Could this be maybe ONE time being an early adopter actually paid off?You do seem to possess a golden goose.

[blacknoi]

FYI: Amazon jacked the tivoHD price up by 30 dollars from yesterday to today (10/15 to 10/16).

Its 280.64 today.

[netflex]

[QUOTE=Sirwill]

Ok, I called Tivo and asked for some clarification. I was told that not only can I buy from another source, I have to. Something about their boxes already coming with a subscription built in. Where as if you buy from a Costco/Amazon type place, there is nothing linked to it and that's when you can transfer the lifetime subscription. I am not sure how this makes sense for Tivo, but I didn't question it.

So then I asked about the S3 Tivo and the offer from late 2006 to transfer the lifetime sub. I told her we really wanted this offer, but we couldn't afford it then. She said we can still do it. Just mention the offer and it won't be a problem.

So it looks like I will be getting 2 S3 Tivo's from the cheapest source I can find (looks like Amazon right now at $369.00) and I will be able to transfer 2 of our lifetime sub's. :)


Why I was confused.....According to this link, you can only buy from Tivo. See #2....


But Tivo says otherwise :confused:



Dose anyone kno what this is about "Something about their boxes already coming with a subscription built in" Could this be whats coming next with tivo HD

[azitnay]

Where do you get that the service costs $85 a year for a 3 year plan? Try $99.66 a year.

I'm not too up on all the latest MSD rules, but having an active lifetime unit has always qualified you for the MSD on any additional units in the past... $6.95 * 12 = $83.40 a year.

Drew

[busyba]

By the way... I called TiVo on saturday and took care of the transfer. My "Manage My Accounts" page on the TiVo website immediately was changed (to that not-quite-right configuration that everyone gets for the first 60 days), but both my boxes have phoned home several times since then and they both still show the same account statuses each as they did before.

When can I expect the transfer to reflect in the System Information on the TiVo units themselves?

So... no one knows?

[mrmike]

So... no one knows?

Mine switched over after about 35 days last time.

[Koan]

You're saying you successfully switched a lifetime without paying the $199?!?!? :eek:
It seems that way to me. I gave her both of my TSNs, she put be on hold for about 3 min and came back and said I was all set. I went and checked the site because it seemed strange to me, and I saw the lifetime on my THD. And I thought it would take 61 days to showup.Most likely they plan to charge it to the credit card they have on file for you. That was what they were going to do for me. It was good that I asked - I retired the credit card I used for Lifetime in 2002 long ago.

[captainstabbins]

I just purchased a Tivo HD at Circuit City. Tivo CS transferred my service no questions asked. They even told me if I was unhappy with the HD Tivo they woukd refund the $199 and transfer the lifetime back to my series 2 box.. Now I need to decide do I want the 5 year CC warranty for $74.00...

[kdmorse]

When I did my S3 transfer last year - a similar thing happened. They did ask for my credit card info, noticed it was the same card that was on file, and just put the charge into the system to my card on file. The problem was, the expiration date on my card on file was sometime in 2003. oops.

The service activated, all was well, then about a week later my S3 went into an inactive state, and listed something like "Billing Problem" on the system screen. It wouldn't get guide data, and started nagging me daily.

One phone call cleared it all up, and the S3 was immediately happy again.

So if something similar happens to you, it's likely they used the card on file, retried a few times, then cut you off.

-Ken

[Graymalkin]

I decided to go with my THIRD TiVo HD box with this offer, as I've got two S2 TiVos that meet the qualifications. (A third S2 was purchased in mid-2004 and doesn't qualify.)

Now I just need to sell the two remaining S2 units with their lifetime subs for $250-300 apiece and recoup the cost of this one.

[orev]

FYI: Amazon jacked the tivoHD price up by 30 dollars from yesterday to today (10/15 to 10/16).

Its 280.64 today.

10/16: Showing $253.88 when I look at it on amazon.

[c3]

10/16: Showing $253.88 when I look at it on amazon.

Amazon's prices may change many times in a day.

[philrace]

A careful reading of item #7 in the terms and conditions at
under the TIVO website URL buytivo/hdservicetransferterms.html
states "This offer is not elgible for multi-service discount."

(That's their spelling of eligible, not mine .. )

Anyway, what does that mean? SFAIK all life time subscriptions
count as the first subscription, so others get the multi-service discount.
Who would transfer their LT if it meant the price for their month-to-months
would more or less double??

-Phil

[moolman]

[QUOTE=imreolajos]Damn Amazon! They are too damn cheap! :)

Scenario #3 - Buy TiVo Series3 HD, keep current dual-tuner Series 2. Keep lifetime service on S2 (free). Total immediate cost: $370 (TiVo Series3 from Amazon w/ $200 rebate). Get service on new box, with 3 year commitment it's $85/year. Total cost over 4 years: $370 + 4 x $85 = $710.

QUOTE]

I went with Scenario #3 for myself. Amazon dropped the price again of the Series 3 to $558.59, another $11 off, so it becomes the cheapest in your 4 year senario. I don't think the $200 fee to transfer lifetime is worth it unless you plan on discarding the old box after the free 1 year. Until you decide to, I would just go for a 2nd Tivo with MSD discounts. They will offer the lifetime transfer again in the future. It's also the time value of money, a big chunck of money now is worth more than $7 a month for a couple of years. That $200 transfer covers about 2 years of service.

[Wiggum]

I just got off the phone with Tivo.

I have not used my Tivo in two years. I had my lifetime service from 2001. I have a SAT-T60 Series 1. According to Tivo rep. I am not eligible for any subscription transfer to a series 3 because my Tivo is registered with DirectV. I asked her if this Sat-t60 was still listed as Lifetime in the computer and was told yes.

Does this make sense or is she just unaware?

[azitnay]

From http://www3.tivo.com/buytivo/hdservicetransferterms.html:

4. Product Lifetime Subscriptions eligible to be transferred to a Qualifying DVR pursuant to this Offer must be (1) activated prior to October 1, 2003 and (2) not have been previously transferred pursuant to any prior transfer offer from TiVo.. Only registered account owners of a Product Lifetime Subscription may transfer such Product Lifetime Subscription to the Qualifying DVR specified above in conjunction with this offer. DirectTV DVR’s with TiVo service not eligible for offer.

Drew

[Wiggum]

Gotcha. That sucks.

I didn't realize there was Tivo branded boxes back then.

[missdona]

I'm experiencing some billing craziness.

I have the thing where the HD says 1 yr prepaid, and the S1 still has lifetime. They open up a case number to fix it, and I go on my merry way.

I look at my credit card billing, and I have 3 holds for $199 and one for $179. It looks like they charged the 1 yr prepaid. Is this something that's going to resolve itself, or do I have to ::sigh:: call again?

[c3]

I have the thing where the HD says 1 yr prepaid, and the S1 still has lifetime. They open up a case number to fix it, and I go on my merry way.

That's the way it's supposed work:
9. Both DVRs will be activated once this process is complete, but the contract information may take up to 60 days or more to be reflected on the DVR or "Manage My Account".

[missdona]

Mmmkay.... what about the multiple hold amounts on the card?

[azitnay]

Holds typically go away by themselves if they're not converted into sales... I wouldn't worry about it unless they show up as sales.

Drew

[mattack]

10/16: Showing $253.88 when I look at it on amazon.

and it was $249 yesterday.. (ignoring the post right after yours.. I know they change their prices a lot)

[trlyka]

You must mean the S3?

The TivoHD is $249 at Amazon.

Yes, The Series 3. Amazon seems to be the cheapest that I can find. It just dropped to $358.59 after rebate.....I think I have to do it.....I was holding out, but the last time I did that, the deal was gone when I decided to buy.

[MannyE]

You do seem to possess a golden goose.

AWESOME! Does that mean I can now also trade my Laserdisc player for a BLU-RAY?

[trlyka]

OK so if everything I have read is correct:

My start date on "manage my account" is Dec 12, 1999.

I should qualify for that grandfathered-in transfer for my lifetime sub to ANY Tivo at ANY time right?

If this is so... I don't have to go crazy calling for this deal because I can wait until the next HD unit comes out (which by then might also include some sort of provision for DirecTV or Dish) and then get my lifetime transferred RIGHT?

Could this be maybe ONE time being an early adopter actually paid off?

For this particular lifetime transfer offer, you have to buy the unit and transfer the lifetime sub by Nov 8th. So unless a new box comes out before then, you need to get the regular HD or the S3 HD Tivo. I am sure they will continue to have offers like this. But the last lifetime transfer offer I remember before this one was from late 2006.

[timckelley]

For this particular lifetime transfer offer, you have to buy the unit and transfer the lifetime sub by Nov 8th. So unless a new box comes out before then, you need to get the regular HD or the S3 HD Tivo. I am sure they will continue to have offers like this. But the last lifetime transfer offer I remember before this one was from late 2006.

Wouldn't he be unwise to do this offer? I thought grandfathered early adopters got to do a free lifetime transfer, but this offer asks for $199 cold cash to do the transfer. He can transfer anytime he wants to, regardless of what offer, if any, are being pushed by marketing, and what's more, he can do it for free. (If I correctly understand the grandfather clause, which maybe I don't.)

[Zaphod]

Sorry for the long message, but I'm really trying to wrap my head around this.

I've got a Philips Series 1 that qualifies for the transfer. I'm pretty well convinced to do get the TivoHD, but I've got a few questions.

First, on a technical front...

I'd hate to get the TivoHD home and then have issues getting the cablecards working and potentially end up having to return it due to those issues. (If everything works okay I fully intend to keep it.) So, at what point should I actually call to transfer my lifetime? Before installing and configuring the cablecards, or after? Ideally I'm thinking I'd like to do it after so I can make sure everything is set up and working okay before I transfer. I'm afraid that if I transfer the lifetime first before settting up the HD, and if I have problems and end up needing to return the HD, will they transfer my lifetime back to my S1 and refund my $199?

Regarding hard drive upgrades, I know this technically voids your warranty, but is there something on the unit that makes it obvious whether a unit was opened or not, like one of those "seal" stickers that you have to break or something? My thought is, as I've read in some other posts, I'd get it working first and then upgrade the hard drive myself and keep the old drive as a backup. But if I had trouble with the unit down the road that would otherwise be covered under warranty could I theoretically put the original drive back in and take/send it in for warranty service? Or would it be obvious that it had been opened? Also, what is the standard warranty on these anyway? 90 days? 1 year? 3 years?

Now, on the subject of cost...

Am I correct that I have these 2 options? On a side note, I will say that I have no interest in keeping my S1 once I get the HD, though down the road I may get an additional S2 or another HD, but not right away.

1. Keep my S1 with the life sub for free (even though I don't care about the S1 anymore), buy the HD and pay $6.95/month for it under the MSD? Sometime down the road they may offer another lifetime transfer offer that I could use on another HD (or they might not).

2. Buy the HD, transfer the sub for the $199 and just stop using my S1 (even though it's got a year free, I don't see me using it). BUT, with having transferred the S1 life sub to the HD, would I still be able to buy an S2 or another HD down the road and pay only the $6.95/mo on that under MSD?

I'm really debating whether to bother to transfer the life sub or to just keep the S1 active for free and pay the $6.95/mo on the HD under MSD. Again, this is considering that I currently have no interest in keeping my S1 once I get the HD, but may down the road (another year minimum) want to add an S2 or another HD.

Somebody tell me if you see any holes in my math.

On a basic level, $199 to transfer the life sub vs. the $6.95/mo MSD fee gives about a 28 month payback. So if I have it 2.5 years I'm better off to do the lifetime transfer. Is that correct?

BUT, going further and taking into account what I'm currently paying in fees for my cable company DVR, I can actually save money in the long run by buying the TivoHD and giving up my cable company DVR.

Right now I pay a total of $15.90 for my cable company DVR (between the hardware rental and DVR "service" fee). The cable cards from them are $1.99 each. So I drop from $15.90/mo to $3.98, for a difference of $11.92.

If I keep the S1 lifetime and do the $6.95/mo on the TivoHD, between that and my cablecard rental that's $10.93/mo, or $4.97 savings over what I'm paying for the cable company DVR. $299 for the purchase of the TivoHD, divided by the $4.97/mo savings is a paypack of 60 mo, or 5 years.

If I transfer the lifetime sub, that's a total of $498 between the purchase and transfer fee for the TivoHD. My only monthly fee at that point would be the $3.98/mo cablecard rental, the savings mentioned above of $11.92/mo. So $498 divided by the $11.92/mo savings is a payback of 41 months, or about 3.5 years. After that I've got DVR service essentially totally free vs. what I'm paying now to use the cable company's DVR. Correct? (Oh, I have the cable company DVR because it is at least dual-tuner and HD capable, and until the TivoHD came out I couldn't justify the cost of a Series 3.)

So it looks like transferring is the way to go assuming I will have for that 3.5 years. Do I interpret this all correctly? Again, any holes in my math?

Thanks much!

[akitadog]

OK so if everything I have read is correct:

My start date on "manage my account" is Dec 12, 1999.

I should qualify for that grandfathered-in transfer for my lifetime sub to ANY Tivo at ANY time right?

If this is so... I don't have to go crazy calling for this deal because I can wait until the next HD unit comes out (which by then might also include some sort of provision for DirecTV or Dish) and then get my lifetime transferred RIGHT?


I also have an older S1, circa 2001. How do I find out whether this is a grandfathered unit?

If so, this would be a no-cost transfer for the lifetime subscription?

[dswallow]

I also have an older S1, circa 2001. How do I find out whether this is a grandfathered unit?
If you purchased lifetime for it on or before January 21, 2000 it's grandfathered for one no-cost transfer.

[Zaphod]

Sorry again folks for anything confusing here. This is a follow up to my last post about costs (a couple posts up). That previous analyis was all based on the fact that I didn't care to keep my S1 once I got the TivoHD. BUT, I reanalyzed supposing I did want to keep my S1 (I have a friend who wants to keep his so I thought I'd the analysis for his situation while I was working on mine). In that case I think I'm better off NOT to transfer. Again, am I off on my math here?

Quick review, I currently pay $15.90/mo for my cable company DVR. By giving up the cable company DVR and going to TivoHD I drop that to $3.98/mo for cablecard rental for 2 cards.

If I was keeping my S1 and I don't transfer, aren't I still at the 60 month payback on the TivoHD vs. the cable company DVR as mentioned in my previous post? ($3.98/mo cablecard rental + $6.95/mo for TivoHD under MSD = $10.93 or savings of $4.97/mo, $299 divided by $4.97/mo is about 60 months) The only difference from my previous post is whether I actually use the S1 or not. Then after the 60 month payback I'm still saving $4.97/mo for having 2 DVR's over having the cable company DVR along with my S1.

Bu if I do transfer the lifetime, my S1 gets a free year. At $6.95/mo under MSD that's $83.40 worth of subs. BUT, after the first year I'd still be paying $6.95/mo for it. So that's essentially still the same $10.93/mo ($3.98 cable card rental for the HD, plus $6.95/mo to keep the S1 around), or again $4.97/mo savings over what I'm paying now for my cable company DVR. So we take $498 (purchase price plus transfer fee), subtract the 1 year free sub worth of $83.40 = $414.60. $414.60 divided by the $4.97/mo savings is payback of 83 months!!!

Based on that (unless my math is off) the only reason here I might transfer is if I dump the S1 and replace it with a new S2 or another HD so I still have lifetime on a unit and qualify for the MSD on the 2nd device. But if I had a S2 that qualified that I wanted to keep around I think I'd be a fool to transfer the service.

Seems in general, if you want to ADD the TivoHD and keep your existing Tivo long term, you're better off to NOT transfer the sub. If you are going to REPLACE your existing Tivo with the TivoHD and give away or sell the old Tivo, then you should transfer the sub (assuming you believe you'll have your HD for at least 2.5 years).

Am I missing something?

[Stylin]

Seems in general, if you want to ADD the TivoHD and keep your existing Tivo long term, you're better off to NOT transfer the sub. If you are going to REPLACE your existing Tivo with the TivoHD and give away or sell the old Tivo, then you should transfer the sub (assuming you believe you'll have your HD for at least 2.5 years). Am I missing something?
Nope! I came to the same conclusion you did. PLUS, I predict that there will be other LT xfer opportunities in the future.

I'm afraid that if I transfer the lifetime first before settting up the HD, and if I have problems and end up needing to return the HD, will they transfer my lifetime back to my S1 and refund my $199?
captainstabbins reported that he was told that he could xfer LT back to the S2 if things didn't work out. TiVo is known for trying to accomadate their customers, so I certainly believe that they would do a backward transfer.

But if I had trouble with the unit down the road that would otherwise be covered under warranty could I theoretically put the original drive back in and take/send it in for warranty service? Or would it be obvious that it had been opened? Also, what is the standard warranty on these anyway? 90 days? 1 year? 3 years?
TiVo's come with a 1 yr warranty. AFAIK, there is no "seal" to detect tampering. Most ppl sending in for warranty repair send it back with the orignal drive. You can buy an extended warranty from a retailer (CC or BB) or purchase with a credit card that extends the original warranty or purchase from Costco.

[c3]

I'm afraid that if I transfer the lifetime first before settting up the HD, and if I have problems and end up needing to return the HD, will they transfer my lifetime back to my S1 and refund my $199?

There is nothing to transfer "back" because the actual transfer does not occur until the 30-day money back guarantee is over.

[Stylin]

Well I've decided to do msd instead of the LTxfer. Now my decision lies between the S3 or TiVoHD. Usually more expensive denotes a better product, but I'm not so sure with the S3. I do like the OLED, but beyond that I don't really care for the THX, remote (have a harmony) or hd space (will upgrade regardless). I'm more concerned with the nuts and bolts of the machine. The only real difference I've read about is that the TiVoHD seems to have a larger onboard memory than the S3 - is this a really big deal? Basically I want to buy the more "future" ready machine regardless of cost (and looks). Based strictly on the nuts and bolts of the machine, which is better - the S3 or TiVoHD? Thks

[c3]

There are many other S3 vs. HD threads.

[dswallow]

Am I missing something?
There's the lifetime of the unit itself to consider; and while that usually can be extended almost indefinitely by using the "authorized service center" repair system, there's a growing likelihood at some point you won't want to be continuing to spend money to fix an older, less capable receiver, and at some point, too, it may no longer be possible to repair.

Someone with an old series 1 or even a single tuner series 2 might do well to get lifetime off their units onto something with a longer useful life or at least something with a full set of TiVo features.

[JustAllie]

Sorry again folks for anything confusing here. This is a follow up to my last post about costs (a couple posts up). That previous analyis was all based on the fact that I didn't care to keep my S1 once I got the TivoHD. BUT, I reanalyzed supposing I did want to keep my S1 (I have a friend who wants to keep his so I thought I'd the analysis for his situation while I was working on mine). In that case I think I'm better off NOT to transfer. Again, am I off on my math here?

Quick review, I currently pay $15.90/mo for my cable company DVR. By giving up the cable company DVR and going to TivoHD I drop that to $3.98/mo for cablecard rental for 2 cards.

If I was keeping my S1 and I don't transfer, aren't I still at the 60 month payback on the TivoHD vs. the cable company DVR as mentioned in my previous post? ($3.98/mo cablecard rental + $6.95/mo for TivoHD under MSD = $10.93 or savings of $4.97/mo, $299 divided by $4.97/mo is about 60 months) The only difference from my previous post is whether I actually use the S1 or not. Then after the 60 month payback I'm still saving $4.97/mo for having 2 DVR's over having the cable company DVR along with my S1.

Bu if I do transfer the lifetime, my S1 gets a free year. At $6.95/mo under MSD that's $83.40 worth of subs. BUT, after the first year I'd still be paying $6.95/mo for it. So that's essentially still the same $10.93/mo ($3.98 cable card rental for the HD, plus $6.95/mo to keep the S1 around), or again $4.97/mo savings over what I'm paying now for my cable company DVR. So we take $498 (purchase price plus transfer fee), subtract the 1 year free sub worth of $83.40 = $414.60. $414.60 divided by the $4.97/mo savings is payback of 83 months!!!

Based on that (unless my math is off) the only reason here I might transfer is if I dump the S1 and replace it with a new S2 or another HD so I still have lifetime on a unit and qualify for the MSD on the 2nd device. But if I had a S2 that qualified that I wanted to keep around I think I'd be a fool to transfer the service.

Seems in general, if you want to ADD the TivoHD and keep your existing Tivo long term, you're better off to NOT transfer the sub. If you are going to REPLACE your existing Tivo with the TivoHD and give away or sell the old Tivo, then you should transfer the sub (assuming you believe you'll have your HD for at least 2.5 years).

Am I missing something?
You are missing the potential effect of the lifetime subscription on the future resale value of your TiVoHD a few years down the road.

You are missing the fact that if you transfer the lifetime away from a Series 1 TiVo, you can still use the Series 1 as a dumb digital VCR, so that even once the year of free service is used up, somebody might get some value out of it even without a subscription. (This is not true of Series2 and later TiVos.) So once you transfer the lifetime away from the Series 1, it can be operated (in some fashion) for free in the future.

You are missing the fact that a Series 1 TiVo it is quite "old" technology at this point, and will become less and less desirable as more people buy HDTVs, and also the fact that a Series 1 TiVo that qualifies for this offer is old (and potentially near the end of its usable life). A new TiVoHD is just at the beginning of its potential lifespan.

You're missing the fact that comparing a cable company DVR to a TiVo is like comparing apples to... turnips. :D

Basically, it's not just about your monthly cost and amortizing it over X number of months. You have to take into account the old tech/new tech issues, TiVo vs. clunky generic DVR, and resale value.

[azitnay]

Someone with an old series 1 or even a single tuner series 2 might do well to get lifetime off their units onto something with a longer useful life or at least something with a full set of TiVo features.

Exactly... As the push to HD continues, SD units are going to become less and less useful to the majority of people. As long as you plan on using the unit lifetime is being transferred from for at least another year, I feel it's well worth a one-time payment of $115.60 ($199 - $6.95 * 12) to move your lifetime investment to a more current unit.

Drew

[missdona]

Holds typically go away by themselves if they're not converted into sales... I wouldn't worry about it unless they show up as sales.

Drew

The $179 converted to a sale, the 3 $199s are still pending

[nyny523]

Well, it took me an hour on the phone, and insisting on being transfered to a Supervisor, but I finally got my lifetime membership transfered to my new Tivo HD last night!!!

FYI, the explaination for purchasing through the Tivo websight that was given to me was that this was the only way to verify if your old box was qualified for the transfer. I explained that by calling, they could look at my records and see that I qualified. Then they gave me the transfer.

It was a lot of aggrevation, but worth it. My cablecards are being intalled on Saturday. I should be able to Tivo the football game on Sunday in HD goodness! :)

[azitnay]

Sounds like your experience rivaled mine, Sheryl... I was on hold for over 20 minutes, and then the woman was pretty incompetent (I had to read both TSN's and my credit card information all at least twice). She didn't question the purchase location, though, so that was a plus (not that I expected her to).

Overall, it was a lot more frustrating than I remember the S3 transfer being last year... Ahh well, at least I'm free of lifetimed S2's.

Drew

[No Static At Al]

I am tempted to Xfer my LT sub from my S1 (101 hours, June 2000, still working PERFECTLY BTW)

But am I understanding correctly: If I ADD an S3 (Hardware cost roughtly $60 more than THD) I can sub it for $6.95 a month if I keep the LT on the old trusty S1?

My old LT sub purchased over 7 years ago makes me eligible for MSD????

[azitnay]

Yep, per the MSD FAQ:

http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/multiservicediscountfaqs.html

Drew

[DVDerek]

There's the lifetime of the unit itself to consider; and while that usually can be extended almost indefinitely by using the "authorized service center" repair system, there's a growing likelihood at some point you won't want to be continuing to spend money to fix an older, less capable receiver, and at some point, too, it may no longer be possible to repair.

Someone with an old series 1 or even a single tuner series 2 might do well to get lifetime off their units onto something with a longer useful life or at least something with a full set of TiVo features.

Why? If my S2 on lifetime ever truly spits the bit, I can apparently just leave it in my closet collecting dust and qualifying me for the MSD on the HD. You're out 1 working TiVo, of course, but if you wanted to replace it it's still just another MSD charge.

Of course, MSD rates are not set in stone, nor is it set in stone that MSD will always exist... I think THAT is the calculation that is key here. How confident are you folks that are choosing MSD over lifetime in the MSD rate staying relatively low? How would an increase of $1 effect your math? $2? 3$?

[azitnay]

I believe there's a stipulation that says the lifetime unit has to call home at least once in a while to maintain MSD eligibility (to prevent just the situation you describe)... I'm not sure how well it's enforced, though.

Regardless, if your S2 does die (or perhaps more likely, becomes obsolete), you're paying $6.95 per month for your THD instead of getting it free.

Drew

[dswallow]

Why? If my S2 on lifetime ever truly spits the bit, I can apparently just leave it in my closet collecting dust and qualifying me for the MSD on the HD. You're out 1 working TiVo, of course, but if you wanted to replace it it's still just another MSD charge.
The lifetime unit becomes inactive if it has not connected to TiVo in the last 6 months and then is no longer an MSD-qualifying receiver.

[DVDerek]

Regardless, if your S2 does die (or perhaps more likely, becomes obsolete), you're paying $6.95 per month for your THD instead of getting it free.

You have a funny definition of "Free." You're paying $199 for it (a little less if you have a true need for 2 active TiVo's). Further, while we know the series 2 units are pretty robust (they have a proven track record) the HD Hardware is still new and largely un-tested. Then there's the whole switched digital video issue...

I don't think lifetime is a slam dunk. At the current price of the offer it's very much a crapshoot (especially if CSR's continue to enforce the "You must pay the $50 direct from TiVo tax).

I've said before, I'm not eligable for the offer so TiVo won't be getting my $500 yet. If I were eligable I'd have to look into this SDV issue quite a bit. I think I may end up biting the bullet and doing the transfer (I like to avoid monthly bills), but I can't fault anyone who doesn't.

[DVDerek]

The lifetime unit becomes inactive if it has not connected to TiVo in the last 6 months and then is no longer an MSD-qualifying receiver.

Interesting. This is the first I heard of it. I'd wonder if this is being enforced.

[azitnay]

You have a funny definition of "Free." You're paying $199 for it (a little less if you have a true need for 2 active TiVo's). Further, while we know the series 2 units are pretty robust (they have a proven track record) the HD Hardware is still new and largely un-tested. Then there's the whole switched digital video issue...

My point was that down the line, if (although I really look at it more as "when") the S2 ever becomes obsolete, then by not transferring you're effectively paying $6.95 per month going forward instead of nothing, all for the same service (a single TiVo). Even if you have no use at all for a second TiVo for a year, then $199 / $6.95 ~= 29, so it makes sense after two years and five months. I don't know about anyone else, but I've thus far never owned a TiVo for less than this amount of time.

I don't think lifetime is a slam dunk. At the current price of the offer it's very much a crapshoot (especially if CSR's continue to enforce the "You must pay the $50 direct from TiVo tax).

It's absolutely not a slam dunk for everyone... If you plan on using (not just keeping) the lifetimed unit for the forseeable future, then it probably doesn't make much sense. However, I can't honestly see myself getting any use out of an SD TiVo for more than a couple more years at this point. People's habits are different, of course, and I'm sure there are plenty of people that could get use out of one beyond that.

I've said before, I'm not eligable for the offer so TiVo won't be getting my $500 yet. If I were eligable I'd have to look into this SDV issue quite a bit. I think I may end up biting the bullet and doing the transfer (I like to avoid monthly bills), but I can't fault anyone who doesn't.

SDV could obviously play into the picture... Admittedly, I haven't been bitten by the SDV bug yet, so it's hard for me to be objective about it. However, I continue to believe that TiVo will implement a solution in the not-too-distant future that will work with existing S3/THD hardware.

Drew

[ah30k]

Originally Posted by dswallow
The lifetime unit becomes inactive if it has not connected to TiVo in the last 6 months and then is no longer an MSD-qualifying receiver.
Interesting. This is the first I heard of it. I'd wonder if this is being enforced.If they did not do this then everyone who has ever owned a lifetime box (regardless of if it is now seeping pollutants into a landfill somewhere) would be able to use the MSD forever.

[azitnay]

Anyone who throws a unit with lifetime into a landfill should be shot :).

Drew

[Koan]

My point was that down the line, if (although I really look at it more as "when") the S2 ever becomes obsolete, then by not transferring you're effectively paying $6.95 per month going forward instead of nothing, all for the same service (a single TiVo). Even if you have no use at all for a second TiVo for a year, then $199 / $6.95 ~= 29, so it makes sense after two years and five months. I don't know about anyone else, but I've thus far never owned a TiVo for less than this amount of time.

Another advantage in upgrading to the Tivo HD or Series 3 for those with a cable box is the savings in changing from a cable box to cable cards. In my Comcast area, it's a savings of about $5 per month (or maybe $7 with an M-Card).

[maryjos]

I'm kind of in a sticky situation with this transfer deal. I had an old S1 box that I wasn't using and the deal on the lifetime transfer for the S3 was way too expensive for me. I had a Tivo with DVD on one TV and the Comcast DVR with HD on another so I wasn't sure if getting an HD Tivo was worth it. Since the old S1 wasn't being used anymore and I didn't feel like bothering with upgrading the HD to get a decent price on Ebay I ended up giving it to a guy I was dating. Thing is, we broke up (doesn't it always go this way?!) but I never got the box back from him. But I'm also 99% sure he never hooked it up. Turns out, I never gave him all the cables, remote, IR blaster, etc. and he also didn't have a phone line in his room to use it on. So I'd like to transfer the lifetime on it and get the new HD Tivo now that it's not going to cost me $1000+ to do so, but I'd rather not have to get in touch with him to do that. Do I have to have the box actually hooked up to transfer? Or have the serial number off of it?

[azitnay]

There's no reason it needs to be hooked up. You will need the TSN, but you should be able to get that from TiVo's website (http://www.tivo.com/mma/).

Once you have it, you can plug it into the form on http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-promo/show.do?pg=/buytivo/hdservicetransfer.html to double-check that it's eligible, and if so, buy a TiVo HD and initiate the transfer.

On the off-chance he is using it, it sounds like the ultimate revenge to me :). Of course, it won't truly have an effect until a year after you transfer.

Drew

[maryjos]

All I need is the TSN? Yes, that's on my account page, and it definitely is eligible, this is one of the original S1 boxes, never upgraded, transferred or anything else. And yes, I have no problem with it not longer working in a year. ;-)

[azitnay]

One more note... If you got lifetime on it on or before January 20, 2000 (I think that's the correct date), then you can instead use the grandfathered lifetime transfer, which means you wouldn't have to pay the $199 fee.

You also don't have to feel pressured to transfer by November 8th, but that's a different story.

Drew

[maryjos]

No, sadly I just missed the grandfathering lifetime date. :(