Can I transfer my lifetime subscription to a Series 3?

[jonesin39]

Interesting week I've had. I bought a Series 3 Tivo because someone told me you could get the lifetime subscriptions on them. I currently have a Series 2 with a lifetime that I've not used in 3.5 years because I have no phone line at home, and have been using the Comcast DVR.

Anyway, I bought the Series 3, called Tivo to find out about the lifetime, and was told I could get the lifetime to transfer for $199 or put on both DVRs for $399. In order to be eligible, I have to have my Series 2 plugged in for at least a week. Fine.

Bought a wireless adapter, and can't use it because the software version is too old. I take Tivo to my friend's house, download the new software, and now my Tivo is perpetually spinning between three screens. Updating system information screen which says could take an hour or more. The 'almost there, just a few more minutes' screen. And a gray power up screen. These just cycle continuously between the three screens for the better part of 24 hours now.

Call Tivo for tech support, told I may have to pay them $149 to swap the box that was working before the software update?! Proceed to tell the person on the phone the only reason I'm going through the hell that I am, is to get a lifetime on my Series 3 I just dropped $600 on. She then told me I couldn't get the lifetime on the new one, only on a HD, not a Series 3.

Does anyone know if I can get this or not? Ideally I'd get the lifetime on both Tivo's, if I can get the Series 2 to work, but I really need it on the Series 3. I'm not sure if the person I was talking to hadn't a clue, or am I missing something?

[JacksTiVo]

Currently only newly purchased TiVo HD units can have lifetime transferred from an existing TiVo such as an S2. They do not offer lifetime transfers to an S3 whether either it is a previously or a newly purchased unit.

[ah30k]

Anyway, I bought the Series 3, called Tivo to find out about the lifetime, and was told I could get the lifetime to transfer for $199 or put on both DVRs for $399. In order to be eligible, I have to have my Series 2 plugged in for at least a week. There are either some serious problems at the TiVo support desk or people are having some selective hearing going on. The first one or two times I've seen these kinds of posts I was inclined to think the poster was either incompetent or lying. There have been so many however that I'm starting to think it is the support desk that is incompetent.

[jonesin39]

I can assure you, I'm neither incompetent nor lying. I am, however, extremely frustrated by this.

Why would Tivo allow a transfer on their HD receivers but not on a Series 3? Don't they want people to spend more money???

I just joined this forum today out of desperation, and thought I read a post where Tivo was doing lifetime subscriptions for Series 3 at some point.
Can anyone verify that they in fact were doing this, and stopped for whatever reason?

:confused:

[classicsat]

They aren't outright selling Product Lifetimes (for HD models) anymore, except with the current promo, which requires you have one active subscribed or Product Lifetime unit on your account.

I think the Lifetime transfer offer applies to any HD model.

A $20 instantcake CD could fix the old Tivo for it to call in.

[jonesin39]

Yes,

Already looking at the instantcake cd's...I may as well upgrade the disk while I'm at it.

Too bad it sounds like it doesn't matter if it calls in or not, I'm unable to get the lifetime on the Series 3 I just bought (and will return).

[ah30k]

I can assure you, I'm neither incompetent nor lying. I am, however, extremely frustrated by this. Sorry, my point was that I would have originally been inclined to doubt stories like these but there have been so many similar complaints lately that it is getting harder to deny that there are serious problems with the communications coming out of the TiVo support desk.

[Lensman]

Too bad it sounds like it doesn't matter if it calls in or not, I'm unable to get the lifetime on the Series 3 I just bought (and will return).
I think we've heard some success stories of people being able to transfer their lifetime subscription to an S3 rather than an HD. The letter of the offer was for the new $299 HD - and specifically one that you ordered online directly from Tivo. We've heard that they've been very lenient and allowed transfers to HDs bought through retailers - either brick and mortar or online.

As I said, I *think* we've read of a couple of people who have been successful in getting their lifetime transferred to a new S3. This may be a case of calling again and hoping for the best.

[Lensman]

BTW, I don't want to seem unsympathetic to your situation but remember that this is supposed to be an offer for people with currently working S1s and S2s who want to upgrade their box. It's not meant for people with dead machines who just want to save money.

That said, I applaud your efforts to get your machine working again in order to save money. It's just the kind of thing that I'd do! I wouldn't expect Tivo to help you revive it given that the original terms of the lifetime subscription is "product lifetime".

BTW, I had a Pioneer unit that was exhibiting the symptoms you're describing. In my case it was a hard drive failure and I had to buy a new hard drive, restore from backup, then run the update.

[greg_burns]

Just a reminder to the OP, that if he gets his S2 to call in he will be eligible for MSD pricing on his new S3 as an option. Although they have raised MSD pricing recently.

Multi-Service Discount (“MSD”) is available for $9.95 per month, or 1-year of prepaid service at $99

[lafos]

Does anyone have the link to the lifetime transfer offer? I know I saw it in one of the forums, but couldn't find it. Tried searching the TiVo web site, but there was no joy there, either.

[greg_burns]

Does anyone have the link to the lifetime transfer offer? I know I saw it in one of the forums, but couldn't find it. Tried searching the TiVo web site, but there was no joy there, either.

This one? :confused: This isn't a transfer though...

http://www.tivo.com/hdgift/

Probably this one
http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-promo/show.do?pg=/buytivo/hdservicetransfer.html

[lafos]

Yes, the second one was the one I was looking for. Thanks. I see in the terms that I have to buy it at full price from TiVo. So that makes it more like $250 instead of $199.

[greg_burns]

Yes, the second one was the one I was looking for. Thanks. I see in the terms that I have to buy it at full price from TiVo. So that makes it more like $250 instead of $199.

You don't have to do that. They don't really care, nor ask.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=369622

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5603198#post5603198

[mattack]

I currently have a Series 2 with a lifetime that I've not used in 3.5 years because I have no phone line at home, and have been using the Comcast DVR.

You could use the S2 (after you get it working again) with a wireless adapter, right?

[RNSAMRN]

Interesting week I've had. I bought a Series 3 Tivo because someone told me you could get the lifetime subscriptions on them. I currently have a Series 2 with a lifetime that I've not used in 3.5 years because I have no phone line at home, and have been using the Comcast DVR.

Anyway, I bought the Series 3, called Tivo to find out about the lifetime, and was told I could get the lifetime to transfer for $199 or put on both DVRs for $399. In order to be eligible, I have to have my Series 2 plugged in for at least a week. Fine.

Bought a wireless adapter, and can't use it because the software version is too old. I take Tivo to my friend's house, download the new software, and now my Tivo is perpetually spinning between three screens. Updating system information screen which says could take an hour or more. The 'almost there, just a few more minutes' screen. And a gray power up screen. These just cycle continuously between the three screens for the better part of 24 hours now.

Call Tivo for tech support, told I may have to pay them $149 to swap the box that was working before the software update?! Proceed to tell the person on the phone the only reason I'm going through the hell that I am, is to get a lifetime on my Series 3 I just dropped $600 on. She then told me I couldn't get the lifetime on the new one, only on a HD, not a Series 3.

Does anyone know if I can get this or not? Ideally I'd get the lifetime on both Tivo's, if I can get the Series 2 to work, but I really need it on the Series 3. I'm not sure if the person I was talking to hadn't a clue, or am I missing something?

I just bought my Series 3 HD within the last two weeks. I already have Lifetime Service on my Series 1. I wanted to keep this, so I opted to drop another $399 for Lifetime on the Series 3 HD. My only problem is getting Comcast to provide and activate cable cards. That is a major issue. I have the wireless hookup on my Series 3 which is working fine. I use the phone line for the Series 1. Don't know if I could make that one wireless too. I was checking it out tonight and saw it has 8.2 or 8.whatever program, while the new Tivo box has the 9.2 program. Tivo told me when I called before ordering my new Tivo that the Lifetime Series was good for any box that I purchased. I didn't see any information about a transfer, but I wasn't really interested in that.

[greg_burns]

I was checking it out tonight and saw it has 8.2 or 8.whatever program, while the new Tivo box has the 9.2 program.

You sure you have a series 1? Or are you mistaken about that version number? :confused: I thought it was frozen at 3.x something.

[RNSAMRN]

I have the original Tivo that they came out with. I assumed it was a "Series 1" as they have since had Series 2 and 3. All I know is I got it about seven years ago - it is still going strong, with Lifetime plan.

Ooops - I stand corrected. It DOES say Series 2 on the box. I have had it so long, I wasn't sure.

[greg_burns]

Ooops - I stand corrected. It DOES say Series 2 on the box. I have had it so long, I wasn't sure.

Now that begs the question of why hasn't your Series 2 Tivo updated to 9.1 and is still stuck at 8.3? 9.1 is the latest for S2s. 9.2 is for the S3s.

As far as making it go wireless, you just need to pick up a Tivo USB Wireless Adapter (http://www.amazon.com/TiVo-AG0100-Wireless-Network-Adapter/dp/B000ER5G6C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198598775&sr=8-1) (assuming you have a broadband wireless network at home.)

[RNSAMRN]

Now that begs the question of why hasn't your Series 2 Tivo updated to 9.1 and is still stuck at 8.3? 9.1 is the latest for S2s. 9.2 is for the S3s.

As far as making it go wireless, you just need to pick up a Tivo USB Wireless Adapter (http://www.amazon.com/TiVo-AG0100-Wireless-Network-Adapter/dp/B000ER5G6C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198598775&sr=8-1) (assuming you have a broadband wireless network at home.)

Well, the Series 2 box has lived in the "cave" otherwise known as my 19 year old daughter's room for the last couple of years. I try NOT to go in there. She doesn't keep it hooked up to a phone line, and only does phone line connects when she absolutely has to. Maybe this is why.

I have been using the Comcast box these past 2 years for HDTV. I will have to look into this. I have the wireless hooked up the the Series 3 HDTV box now. I am guessing her box will support the wireless hookup, but haven't seen the back of it for a long time. Will get that for her if it does, since she doesn't have the phone hookup in her room, and I have to trip over the wire when she does connect. But yes it was stuck at 8.x (3 I think).

I just called out to my daughter. She checked the back and says it has the USB port so guess I will dish out the money for wireless for her now.

RNSAMRN
South Jersey