I'm new to this.... I need to know how to get the best monthly deal.

[thisisrybo]

Okay this is my first post here, and I searched around first but couldn't really find an exact situation like mine, so here we go. I have a few questions. First, I'll explain my situation. I've never had Tivo before. I want to buy two Tivos. One series 2 DT for our bedroom, and a series 3 or (tivo HD). I want to get rid of my Comcast Motorola 6412, it's slow and getting bad. I'm ready for something new.
#1. Does it matter where I buy the boxes?
#2. Is Ebay a legit place to buy a Tivo?
#3. If i want to pay a monthly rate (not prepaid) what will I pay per month?
#4. Does the cable company have to come out in order to install the cable cards? Or can you do it yourself?
5# What is the major difference between the Series 3 and the Tivo HD (besides the storage space)??

My main concern is the multiple service discount. I don't really know how that works. I know there are some restrictions if you buy the boxes from Tivo and stuff. But I may be wrong.

Anyway, could someone briefly walk me through this and let me know the cheapest and most efficient way to go about this???

Thanks!!

[brettatk]

Okay this is my first post here, and I searched around first but couldn't really find an exact situation like mine, so here we go. I have a few questions. First, I'll explain my situation. I've never had Tivo before. I want to buy two Tivos. One series 2 DT for our bedroom, and a series 3 or (tivo HD). I want to get rid of my Comcast Motorola 6412, it's slow and getting bad. I'm ready for something new.
#1. Does it matter where I buy the boxes?
#2. Is Ebay a legit place to buy a Tivo?
#3. If i want to pay a monthly rate (not prepaid) what will I pay per month?
#4. Does the cable company have to come out in order to install the cable cards? Or can you do it yourself?
5# What is the major difference between the Series 3 and the Tivo HD (besides the storage space)??

My main concern is the multiple service discount. I don't really know how that works. I know there are some restrictions if you buy the boxes from Tivo and stuff. But I may be wrong.

Anyway, could someone briefly walk me through this and let me know the cheapest and most efficient way to go about this???

Thanks!!


1) No

2) If buying a used unit I might consider Ebay but if new then I'd buy it from Amazon, Tivo, or a B&M store.

3) This thread contains your answer: http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=373639

4) 99% of the time a person from your cable company will need to come out to your place and do the install.

5) Series 3 - nicer looking (OLED), slightly more storage space, THX Certiified, menus and MRV supposedly faster but it is more expensive than the Tivo HD. Both can be easily upgraded for more storage space if you have computer hardware knowledge.

[DeathRider]

5) Series 3 - nicer looking (OLED), slightly more storage space, THX Certiified, menus and MRV supposedly faster but it is more expensive than the Tivo HD. Both can be easily upgraded for more storage space if you have computer hardware knowledge.


Chart comparison:
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/23/tivo-hd-vs-series3/

I thought, the THD can only accept TiVo "verified" expansion. Whereas, with an S3, you can make your own eSATA external drives:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=370784

That for some may make/break which one to buy. I myself love the OLED displaying which show is being recorded.

EDIT:

TiVo must have changed their stance. I was sure the last time I the FAQ, it stated TiVoHD home built eSATA drives would only work if they had been installed before the latest software update and if removed, could not be added back:confused::rolleyes:

Pretty funny it says:

Last Updated: 12/06/2008

[classicsat]

1: Doesn't matter really, since you will be getting new subsriptions for them anyway.

2: For new ones, stay away.

3:$12.95 the first, $9.95 the second

4: depends on the provider, but generally they will insist they install them

5. Not mentioned here, is that the THD can use 1 M-card and get dual Tuners.

Without modification, a Series 3 can accept most eSATA drives, the THD only the MyDVR drive.

[sethjvm]

If I were you I would buy the cheapest Tivo (even a broken one from eBay, it doesn't matter since you aren't going to keep it) I could with a monthly subscription. Then go get yourself a S3 or TivoHD and add the Lifetime service for $399.

After confirming that Tivo has properly processed your S3 or TivoHD with Lifetime, cancel the primary Tivo. Then you will have one S3 or TivoHD with lifetime for $399.

Then you could theoretically add yet another Tivo S3 or TivoHD with lifetime for $399 and end up with two Tivos with lifetime. Don't get hosed like those of us who bought prepaid and now have no way to get lifetime without playing annoying games.

Don't buy anything longer than a month to month unless you get lifetime.

[greg_burns]

After confirming that Tivo has properly processed your S3 or TivoHD with Lifetime, cancel the primary Tivo. Then you will have one S3 or TivoHD with lifetime for $399.

IMO, this sounds like bad advice.

Doesn't it still take 30+ days to "properly process lifetime"? Is so, it will be too late to cancel the primary Tivo. (Don't they all have 1yr minimum contracts?) But considering he wanted two Tivos anyways, may make sense to buy the S2 first then get a TivoHD with Lifetime, later, after activating the S2.

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

[djenkins]

>Don't buy anything longer than a month to month unless you get lifetime.

I'm thoroughly confused. I don't have my Tivo S3 yet and my head is spinning. What is the best service plan to get for a 3+ year period? I've got to activate the S3 when it comes quickly to qualify for the $200 rebate...

[redsting]

Okay this is my first post here, and I searched around first but couldn't really find an exact situation like mine, so here we go. I have a few questions. First, I'll explain my situation. I've never had Tivo before. I want to buy two Tivos. One series 2 DT for our bedroom, and a series 3 or (tivo HD). I want to get rid of my Comcast Motorola 6412, it's slow and getting bad. I'm ready for something new.
#1. Does it matter where I buy the boxes?
#2. Is Ebay a legit place to buy a Tivo?
#3. If i want to pay a monthly rate (not prepaid) what will I pay per month?
#4. Does the cable company have to come out in order to install the cable cards? Or can you do it yourself?
5# What is the major difference between the Series 3 and the Tivo HD (besides the storage space)??

My main concern is the multiple service discount. I don't really know how that works. I know there are some restrictions if you buy the boxes from Tivo and stuff. But I may be wrong.

Anyway, could someone briefly walk me through this and let me know the cheapest and most efficient way to go about this???

Thanks!!

1) Shop around. Some sites like amazon give a better deal (50 buck off for a $299 Tivo HD).

2) Legit sometimes, but not economic. Unless you want lifetime and can't get help. If that is the case, Tivo is offering a deal where an existing customer can purchase a lifetime service gift card and the Tivo HD along with it for $699. You pay full price for the Tivo, but it beats the hassle of having to mess with transfering service.


3) See previous posts.


4) Depends on the cable company and location of the office.

5) THX certification mainly.

[thisisrybo]

I went ahead and got an S2 DT for free with a promotion I found. I just have to pay the monthly fees. So that's where I'm at now. It should be coming sometime late next week. I figured I would jump on the S2 first since it's free, and try the service out. If I like it, I will purchase the THD or s3 (if I find a good deal). After having the s2 on my account, would the monthly fee for the next box then be $9.99? This is where I'm confused.

[RonDawg]

After having the s2 on my account, would the monthly fee for the next box then be $9.99? This is where I'm confused.

The second box is $9.95/month, or you can choose to prepay a year for $99 ($8.25/month).

[cwerdna]

Any reason you only want to go monthly? I think more at least a few folks on here would be willing to help you get lifetime on one or both the units for $399. See below...

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=373639
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5679342&&#post5679342
www.tivo.com/hdgift

[jjberger2134]

I went ahead and got an S2 DT for free with a promotion I found.

Please post the link or information for the "free" S2 DT. I need to get an S2 for my parents and if free, would be great for me to get them. My parents are not quite ready for HD yet, my dad is a very slow-adopter. I thought I could get them the mentioned free unit with a couple of years of service, then they could always upgrade to HD and swap out the box (if they every get an HDTV).

Please post the info. Thanks.

[thisisrybo]

Please post the link or information for the "free" S2 DT. I need to get an S2 for my parents and if free, would be great for me to get them. My parents are not quite ready for HD yet, my dad is a very slow-adopter. I thought I could get them the mentioned free unit with a couple of years of service, then they could always upgrade to HD and swap out the box (if they every get an HDTV).

Please post the info. Thanks.

As to that, I found the link on this website.

Here: http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=ywca

As to why I don't get a lifetime subscription, I don't really know if I want to commit at this time. Because here at our house, we can't get Dish. LONG STORY. Tried about 2 months for it. Anyway, we will be moving in the next couple of years so I don't want to be stuck with something. Although I may end up wanting to do it. Who knows at this point. I just want to eventually have a THD as well. I believe we will still come out cheaper than our cable plan is now. Any other ideas are welcome obviously.

[jjberger2134]

As to that, I found the link on this website.

Here: http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=ywca



Thanks a lot! That is awesome.

[Bsteenson]

There are least three sites that I know of that have this offer. In addition to the one cited, try these:HERE (http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=ptc) and HERE (http://dynamic.tivo.com/0.11.LP_kz.asp?a=kidsfirst). Also, for those of you wanting to add additional TiVo's, the offer says that multiple service discount doesn't apply, yet I and others I know who got TiVos through this offer were only charged the MSD rate. So for me, at the time I got it, I got an absolutely free new dual-tuner TiVo (even free shipping) for $6.95 a month. How can you not jump on that deal? :D

BS

[Good Ol Gal]

So, can I use this deal and then transfer the TSN to one of my 6.95 units?

We have one dual tuner, 3 S2 and a Humax./ one lifetime and four at 6.95.

[ZeoTiVo]

So, can I use this deal and then transfer the TSN to one of my 6.95 units?

We have one dual tuner, 3 S2 and a Humax./ one lifetime and four at 6.95.
no, unfortunately you need to buy the service at the same time as the DVR. you can lways do a 1 year prepay deal at MSD rate and then transfer the TSN after a year.

I also got in on this deal and was able to go MSD at the TiVo website when ordering. It will be the current MSD offerings though. I was lucky and did this about 20 days before the new rates went into effect. now 3 years is to my advantage :up: