Trying to get my parents a TiVo for Xmas ... need your help...

[Hyper]

Hi everyone,

I don't watch much TV and never owned a Tivo. My parents, on the other hand, watch quite a bit to relax after work.

I thought it would be a good idea to get them a tivo for xmas. I was thinking of going with the Series 3 or HD.

Currently they do not have a HDTV but they are probably going to have one soon (by March). Currently they have Charter cable with a Motorola cable box circa 2001.

My questions are:
Will they need to get anything besides a wireless antenna to get the internet to the tivo and a subscription to the service? Like will they need something for charter to be set up?

Once they get an HDTV will they have to do something differently?

Will they be able to watch onDemand and PPV with the tivo hooked up?

Would I be better off getting them a Charter DVR thingy? (I'm assuming you can buy that instead of renting it)

And how does dual recording work? Do you have to have two cable boxes to run to the tivo?


Thanks so much!

[ah30k]

Dude, don't give a present that requires a $13/mo subscription that includes early termination fees. You better include a prepaid card for x yrs of service.

Other than that, we'll start knocking off your questions...

If they already have a wireless router in their home then a $50 TiVo wireless adapter will be needed.

No on-demand or PPV with a TiVo. If they are important keep the cable box.

You really can't buy a Charter thingy and even if you could it wouldn't be cost effective compared to leasing it.

Dual recording techniques depend on whether you get a TiVoHD or S3 (CableCARD devices) or TiVo S2s (require a STB). This will take a while for this answer...

[Adam1115]

Will they need to get anything besides a wireless antenna to get the internet to the tivo and a subscription to the service? Like will they need something for charter to be set up?

Well, yes, a wireless network card would assume the also have a wireless router / access point, and high speed internet. Other than that? no. They don't even need that, if they want to use a phone line to connect. But they would lose the option to download net content.

Once they get an HDTV will they have to do something differently?

Well, if they want HD programming, they'll need cablecards from their cable company.

Will they be able to watch onDemand and PPV with the tivo hooked up?

No.

Would I be better off getting them a Charter DVR thingy? (I'm assuming you can buy that instead of renting it)

It depends. You own your TiVo, so it is a bigger up front cost. You rent the cable DVR. Most of us here think the TiVo's are superior.

And how does dual recording work? Do you have to have two cable boxes to run to the tivo?

No, you don't need a box with the S3 or HD. You can use analog out of the box. If you want digital, you need 2 cablecards for dual tuner support.

[aadam101]

Dude, don't give a present that requires a $13/mo subscription that includes early termination fees. You better include a prepaid card for x yrs of service.

Other than that, we'll start knocking off your questions...

If they already have a wireless router in their home then a $50 TiVo wireless adapter will be needed.

No on-demand or PPV with a TiVo. If they are important keep the cable box.

You really can't buy a Charter thingy and even if you could it wouldn't be cost effective compared to leasing it.

Dual recording techniques depend on whether you get a TiVoHD or S3 (CableCARD devices) or TiVo S2s (require a STB). This will take a while for this answer...


I bought my mom a Tivo a couple of years ago. I pay the $6.96 per month for her. I don't mind. It's my mom!

[ah30k]

I bought my mom a Tivo a couple of years ago. I pay the $6.96 per month for her. I don't mind. It's my mom!Sure, my Mom has one of my lifetime S1s. I was warning against sticking someone else with a monthly bill as a present.

[classicsat]

Will they need to get anything besides a wireless antenna to get the internet to the tivo and a subscription to the service? Like will they need something for charter to be set up?

They need:

A way for the Tivo to call home for service. That would be by phone or a broadband internet connection with router.
The TiVo service.
Cablecard(s) for digital programming from the provider. HD falls into that, but there are a lot of SD channels cablecards are required for.


Once they get an HDTV will they have to do something differently?

Not really, just unplug the SD set and connect the HD set, possibly adjusting the formt on the front of the DVR, and some menu settings. If need be, they may also have to subscribe to the HD package from the provider.

Will they be able to watch onDemand and PPV with the tivo hooked up?

Not through the TiVo, as it doesn't have the means for those features. You may be able to order PPV over the phone to the provider. Having the DVR generally removes the need for VOD.

Would I be better off getting them a Charter DVR thingy? (I'm assuming you can buy that instead of renting it)

You cannot buy cable DVRs in the USA market yet, form official sources.

And how does dual recording work? Do you have to have two cable boxes to run to the tivo?

You just need two cablecards (or one M card in a TiVoHD).

[Hyper]

Thanks so much on all of the replies. I truly appreciate the feedback.

My parents have wireless inside the house. They also have two cable boxes (one in my old room and one in the living room). They won't be getting HD til maybe the summer or so.

Given the comparison between the Series 3 and HD looks like HD is a better choice given my parent's need.

Now my question is, if I get them the HD Tivo for xmas, will it be able to hook up with the Charter box and work with all the digital channels or will they need a card to view the digital content.

I tried calling charter in regards to this, but they were not much of a help.

[MikeMar]

We got parents 2 tivo's for christmas last year (1 for each of them) and it was her dad's bday too, so we gave him 1 year of service.

next year, yup another year of service for both along with other gifts.

Gives you an easy gift each year :D

[RonDawg]

Now my question is, if I get them the HD Tivo for xmas, will it be able to hook up with the Charter box and work with all the digital channels or will they need a card to view the digital content.

I tried calling charter in regards to this, but they were not much of a help.

The HD capable TiVo's will NOT work with an external box. They lack any sort of external channel changing capability.

They will need CableCards in order to view any digital content off the cable, which includes the HD channels. If they don't already subscribe to a digital tier, they will have to pay extra for that. The HD tier is an additional charge as well.

Charter, at least in my area, gives you one CableCard free as part of your digital tier service, and charges $1.50/month for each additional card. Unless Charter in their area provides M-cards, your parents will need two single stream cards in order to provide dual-tuner functionality. Where I live, Charter does not hand out CC's to customers, it is a mandatory truck roll out. I was not charged for this service, it may be different where your parents live.

Between the TiVo fees and the additional fees they will be incurring, you may want to seriously discuss this with your parents before giving them such a gift. There's nothing like a gift that keeps on taking from your wallet :eek:

[fredct]

Now my question is, if I get them the HD Tivo for xmas, will it be able to hook up with the Charter box and work with all the digital channels or will they need a card to view the digital content.

I tried calling charter in regards to this, but they were not much of a help.

Ron did a good job answering, but I just want to make sure its clear. An HD TiVo (or Series 3) do not work *with* a cable box, they work *instead* of it. You just need to get cable cards from your local cable company so they can decode the content. 2 'single-stream' ('S') cable cards are needed to get 2 tuners, unless your cable company offers 'multi-stream' ('M'). There is typically a few dollar monthly rental fee per card.

Without cable cards, the HD TiVo will be able to view analog channels, but not any digital ones.

[Hyper]

The HD capable TiVo's will NOT work with an external box. They lack any sort of external channel changing capability.

They will need CableCards in order to view any digital content off the cable, which includes the HD channels. If they don't already subscribe to a digital tier, they will have to pay extra for that. The HD tier is an additional charge as well.

Charter, at least in my area, gives you one CableCard free as part of your digital tier service, and charges $1.50/month for each additional card. Unless Charter in their area provides M-cards, your parents will need two single stream cards in order to provide dual-tuner functionality. Where I live, Charter does not hand out CC's to customers, it is a mandatory truck roll out. I was not charged for this service, it may be different where your parents live.

Between the TiVo fees and the additional fees they will be incurring, you may want to seriously discuss this with your parents before giving them such a gift. There's nothing like a gift that keeps on taking from your wallet :eek:

So if I got them a tivo then I would have to have them get a digital card from charter as tivo would not be able to be configured with the current box setup?

n/m

[Hyper]

Ron did a good job answering, but I just want to make sure its clear. An HD TiVo (or Series 3) do not work *with* a cable box, they work *instead* of it. You just need to get cable cards from your local cable company so they can decode the content. 2 'single-stream' ('S') cable cards are needed to get 2 tuners, unless your cable company offers 'multi-stream' ('M'). There is typically a few dollar monthly rental fee per card.

Without cable cards, the HD TiVo will be able to view analog channels, but not any digital ones.


Ohh.... ok ... that makes some more sense ...


Now the whole part of cost efficiency comes in to play. Given that I get them a year subscription to the Tivo service would the whole Tivo experience be justified if they have to pay extra for the cable card monthly fee or whatnot?

[fredct]

Ohh.... ok ... that makes some more sense ...

Now the whole part of cost efficiency comes in to play. Given that I get them a year subscription to the Tivo service would the whole Tivo experience be justified if they have to pay extra for the cable card monthly fee or whatnot?

Well, they probably pay extra for a cable box on that tv right now (if they have a cable box). With a TiVoHD/S3, they could return that, and get two cable cards, and the monthly fee would probably be similar, but that certainly varies by company.

[richsadams]

My wife and I looked at giving TiVo as a present. Unfortunately they don't make it easy and because of our frustration it isn't going to happen.

http://i11.tinypic.com/89q8dc1.jpg

Dear Santa TiVo, here's what I want for Christmas: I want to buy a shiny new TiVo with a one-year subscription included to give away. End of story. At the end of the year the lucky new TiVo owner can quit, get a new subscription at the going rate...whatever they want to do. No penalties, no fuss, no muss.

I don't want to buy a gift card that only covers part of the year or more than two, etc. I just want a TiVo with a one-year subscription. Simple.

Yes, there are convoluted ways to do something like that, but they are not easy...it needs to be easy and quick.

Give the gift of TiVo this holiday season!

TiVo HD + 1 Year Subscription = $399 > Add to Cart > Check Out.

Happy gift giver, happy gift receiver. That kind of simple. :)

EDIT: I see TiVo heard our cry...for the Series3 (https://www3.tivo.com/store/webspecials.do)...for the moment. How about for the TiVo HD or DT Series2 TiVo?

[Adam1115]

richsadams, I agree with you 100%.

It's only in their best interest to encourage new TiVo subscribers by doing what you suggest!

[ZeoTiVo]

you can buy a TiVo HD and one year prepay for 429 without having an account at TiVo.com. A holiday special for 399$ would be cool to send as a gift for us tightwad consumers this Holiday season :)

[richsadams]

you can buy a TiVo HD and one year prepay for 429 without having an account at TiVo.com. A holiday special for 399$ would be cool to send as a gift for us tightwad consumers this Holiday season :)Fair enough, but it's still not easy. I want to simply go online, buy the TiVo Box with a one-year subscription. Tie it to a gift card, the TSN, whatever. KISS! (KISS TiVo, not you. ;))

Unwrap your gift > :) > go on line (or call) > name > address > TSN/gift card # ...ta dah...done! :D

Oh, and while I'm at it...I'd also like to be able to buy a one-year gift subscrption card...not one that works for 3 months, or seven or fifteen...just a plain, vanilla one year subscription. Make it $99 and my shopping for the year is done! :up:

Maybe I'm asking too much. :(

And hey...who are you calling a tightwad? I resemble that remark! :o

[ZeoTiVo]

Fair enough, but it's still not easy. I want to simply go online, buy the TiVo Box with a one-year subscription. Tie it to a gift card, the TSN, whatever. KISS! first time I wanted to be called stupid vs. the alternative. :D
then I read the parenthetical of course and all was well again
And hey...who are you calling a tightwad? I resemble that remark! :ous tightwads ;)

[RonDawg]

Now the whole part of cost efficiency comes in to play. Given that I get them a year subscription to the Tivo service would the whole Tivo experience be justified if they have to pay extra for the cable card monthly fee or whatnot?

I personally think so. I am also saving about $15/month over having Charter's own HiDef DVR.

[Hyper]

I personally think so. I am also saving about $15/month over having Charter's own HiDef DVR.

Thanks on the info ...



now the question is ... how fast does tivo switch channels and do all that crazy stuff ... is there a lag guide or something like it ?

[alyssa]

You just need to get cable cards from your local cable company so they can decode the content.

my emphasis
Hyper, you may want to be there when the truck roll arrives for the CC install---;)
my last CC install was very quick, a half an hour. The install before that took multiple visits.<deep sigh>

[Hyper]

my emphasis
Hyper, you may want to be there when the truck roll arrives for the CC install---;)
my last CC install was very quick, a half an hour. The install before that took multiple visits.<deep sigh>

haha
im pretty good with computer stuff ... it does not seem to be a hard thing to do unless charter screws up
unfortunately, i dont watch tv so this whole tivo phenomenon is beyond me ;)

[richsadams]

Thanks on the info ...now the question is ... how fast does tivo switch channels and do all that crazy stuff ... is there a lag guide or something like it ?Our TiVo's switch channels as fast as any cable box can, faster than OTA on our HD LCD. The changes between menus take only a split second as well.

There are a few things that take slightly longer such as when you're creating season passes, wish lists, etc., but no different than working within a computer program. The slowest activity you'll run into is when you move programs around in your season pass list. Since TiVo has to re-index everything that can take as much as a minute or as little as a few seconds depending on the activity.

[fredct]

Thanks on the info ...

now the question is ... how fast does tivo switch channels and do all that crazy stuff ... is there a lag guide or something like it ?

The main lag is if you're hooked up to a cablebox on an S2. Then you need to tell the TiVo to change channels, the TiVo needs to tell the cable box, and the cable box needs to change the channel. If you're using a serial connection, the lag is probably a second or so. If you're using blasters, it can be more like 1.5 to 2, I'd say.

[Hyper]

Thanks on the information about the lag times. I guess I'm going to call Charter and see how a switch to a cable card will go and after that I'm ready to get my parents a tivo for xmas.

380 bucks for a hd tivo, wireless card, and 100$ gift card .... thats a good deal right?

Should I look elsewhere?

[richsadams]

Thanks on the information about the lag times. I guess I'm going to call Charter and see how a switch to a cable card will go and after that I'm ready to get my parents a tivo for xmas.

380 bucks for a hd tivo, wireless card, and 100$ gift card .... thats a good deal right?

Should I look elsewhere?That sounds like a good deal to me. Where did you find it?

Did you notice that they'll also be able to access and view your Flickr photos on their TiVo? :up:

BTW, no lag times if they use a cable card.

[Hyper]

That sounds like a good deal to me. Where did you find it?

Did you notice that they'll also be able to access and view your Flickr photos on their TiVo? :up:

BTW, no lag times if they use a cable card.

Ooooh thats pretty cool .... the deal is over amazon :D

[richsadams]

Ooooh thats pretty cool .... the deal is over amazon :DD'oh!

[Hyper]

Ok so I went through with it and purchased all the necessary parts :D

How exactly do I get charter to mail out cable card?

[RonDawg]

Ok so I went through with it and purchased all the necessary parts :D

How exactly do I get charter to mail out turner card?

Do you mean a CableCard? The part needed to receive digital cable channels?

I don't know about your area, but Charter in my area will not hand out CableCards to customers directly. It is considered a mandatory truck roll out. I was not charged for the installation, it may be different in your area.

[Hyper]

Do you mean a CableCard? The part needed to receive digital cable channels?

I don't know about your area, but Charter in my area will not hand out CableCards to customers directly. It is considered a mandatory truck roll out. I was not charged for the installation, it may be different in your area.

yes cable card ... so i should just call up charter and say i need a cable card deliver it whenever yadda yadda ?

[alyssa]

yep
I got TW to give me cable cards over the counter once-before they knew they weren't suppose to.<grin> that was the easy CC install, then a channel(s) went wonky due to a up stream problem but they insisted it was the cable cards so they scheduled a roll & the tech didn't bring any cable cards!<shaking head> This was in jan of '07 tho, most cable comps seem to have figured out how to do the install now.

I would recommend you be familiar with the TiVo CC install end tho. Let the Tech handle the cable end & you handle the Tivo end. This way you can help your parents too-

[richsadams]

Alyssa is right...some cableco folks get it, some still don't and it all depends on the tech...and how soon his coffee break is. :rolleyes:

There are clear, printed cable card instructions included with TiVo which they recommend handing to the cableco tech. My advice is to let him look at them, but make sure he's following them exactly as it can get stuffed up if he (or she) does it wrong.

The most important thing to remember is that if he's installing two "S" cards, that the first card goes into cable card slot #1/activate with the second card to follow. Many techs try to do both at the same time and it doesn't work. However if you're lucky and they have a single "M" cable card, then everything is much easier...slot #1...done. :up:

As mentioned, most have it down now and things should go smoothly…but you might get a rookie so keep an eye on ‘em. ;)

[letsroll]

Hi, I'm in the same situation, buying tivo for xmas 4 parents. Only difference is I'm not getting them HD, I don't think they'll be getting HD anytime soon so it's a waste. When they do I'll upgrade them.

Here are my questions

-Next year or in 3 years when their subscription runs out I can buy a new gift card for xmas and they can reactivate their Tivo's right? I'm assuming yes but Tivo's terms pages isn't exactly clear.

-I read about tivo offering lifetime on a second unit, is it worth it to invest lifetime into a series 2 at this point?

So far the pros and cons of lifetime as far as I have been able to come up with are:
Pro, sell it to possibly recoup some value when upgrading to newer tivo

Cons:
when the cable company goes all digital the tivo will be downgraded to single tuner
Tivo isn't likely to raise prices much higher with all the new competition
Second unit is eligible for multi service discount

Anyway with all that I still can't come up with the best option. Any opinions or advice would be appreciated.

[Hyper]

Xmas update for y'all ...

I got the tivo, wifi and a gift certificate from Amazon. I thought it would be fun to give my parents their present a tiny bit early.

Needless to say:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/2130784857_6f78f72a0c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zlatko/2130784857/)

:D

[MickeS]

Xmas update for y'all ...

I got the tivo, wifi and a gift certificate from Amazon. I thought it would be fun to give my parents their present a tiny bit early.

Needless to say:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/2130784857_6f78f72a0c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zlatko/2130784857/)

:D

Keep us updated, I'm curious how it all goes. :)

[richsadams]

Xmas update for y'all ...

I got the tivo, wifi and a gift certificate from Amazon. I thought it would be fun to give my parents their present a tiny bit early.

:DHow cool is that?! What a good son you are. :up:

[Bsteenson]

A couple of points:

You do not need to subscribe to a digital service to use a Series 3 or HD TiVo, unless you want those additional channels. I'm pretty sure cable companies are required to send over the high-def signals of local network stations on the regular basic feed. In my case I am getting all the networks on HD and the other cable channels analog on my HD TiVo for the regular basic price (plus monthly rent for cable cards). By adding my cable co's additional HD digital service I would only be getting a couple of additional HD channels that aren't worth the $9.99 additional per month, at least to me.

If you are interested in giving/buying a Series II TiVo, you can still get one ABSOLUTELY FREE (yes, the dual-tuner model) by agreeing to at least a year of service. See HERE (http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=ywca), HERE (http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=ptc) or HERE (http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=kidsfirst). You even get free shipping!

The terms say they are not eligible for multi-service discount, but I and many others have found they are.

BS

[Hyper]

Hey everyone,

Just to post an update a year later. My parents love the Tivo.

As I don't have cable at home its always nice to go back to my parents and watch something in HD on their huge TV.

Anyway, thank you all for your suggestions and help with my purchase. I'm thinking of getting them the Western Digital expansion hard drive this time around. IT sucks that the HD series does not let you make your own expansion hard drive.

[RonDawg]

Thanks for the update. I can't believe it's been a year since this thread.

Looking at the pic, somehow I can imagine your father saying :

"TiVo....Wireless....Adapter....son, what's a WeeFee?" :D

[Bob723]

Originally posted by HYPER:
IT sucks that the HD series does not let you make your own expansion hard drive.

There are other expansion HD choices out there besides the supported WD drive. It will take a little time and effort but, check out this thread: http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=370784 I added my expansion drive to my HD TiVo before the supported WD was available and it works great.

[Hyper]

There are other expansion HD choices out there besides the supported WD drive. It will take a little time and effort but, check out this thread: http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=370784 I added my expansion drive to my HD TiVo before the supported WD was available and it works great.

Thanks on the info. I really want to make this painless. Just give the product to my dad and have him install it. Its bad enough how much troubleshooting I had to do for the HTPC/BluRay player. Oh boy.

[donnoh]

Here is your most likely scenario with Charter.
1. Call 888 number, press 347 keys to be put on hold while the next available representative becomes available 6 hours later.
2. Talk to a complete moron who will tell you that they don't have a clue what a CableCard is much less know the difference between a single stream or multi stream card.
3. Schedule an appointment between 8 AM and 5 PM sometime in the next millenium to have a complete moron show up to install the CableCards and oh by the way pay Charter $39.95 for the privilege of having someone plug in the card for you.
4. Wait until 4:59 PM for the installer to call and say that he is on his way to pick up the CableCards and will be there in 20 minutes.
5. At 6:30 PM when the installer shows up and says he's never done a CableCard install make sure you hand him the TiVo provided install guide for installers so he can say pffft and throw it aside without even looking at it.
6. At 9:00 PM finally jerk the remote out of his hand and say thank you after he has called every Tom, Dick, Harry and Jane on his cell phone trying to make the CableCards work before finally calling Mary Sue at the headend who makes them work in 5 seconds.

I love my TiVo but, dealing with their technically incompetent CSRs and installers is a trial of ones most deep down patience.

[Hyper]

Dell shop@home has the 500 GB eSATA MY DVR EXPANDER External Hard Drive (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A1739170&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=30322&lid=680413) for $99!


500 GB eSATA MY DVR EXPANDER External Hard Drive
QTY: 1 $129.99
Sub Total $129.99
Total Discounts -$30.00
Sub Total $99.99
Shipping & Handling $7.99
Shipping Discount -$7.99
Tax $8.00
Total $107.99

[richsadams]

Dell shop@home has the 500 GB eSATA MY DVR EXPANDER External Hard Drive (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A1739170&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=30322&lid=680413) for $99!Nice find! :up: