TivoHD lasted about 4 days.

[bigdave2004]

Here is story, wife got me a new HD Tv for our wedding anniversary so I said lets check out HD programming. I tried to use the cable co. dvr with my S2DT but I couldn't take using the cable co dvr, it didn't even buffer on channels unless I paused it first, weird. So I called Tivo asked what they could do and I was offered the TivoHD for $199 deal and I quickly took it. The new TivoHD came this past tuesday, I set up cable card install for wednesday. Cablecard went better than I have read on here, took two trips same day but they got them working and all was well. Saturday, 3:00AM I was catching up on Barrett Jackson auctions and the video froze (something was being recorded on the other tuner, nothing HD was on) no response from the remote. I got up and rebooted the TiVo, and that was the end of it, I would get a grey screen on HDMI, grey screen on component, lastly tried RCA's and I got the welcome screen and that's it, it was hung on the welcome screen. Tivo support said its dead and is overnighting me a new unit on Monday. I had to paid full MSRP for the new unit but it will be credited back once I sent the other unit back. I had just gotten the new software on thursday I don't know if this is related or not. I just wanted to share my story. Do I have to have the cable company come back out since I already have the card or do they need to activate it on the new unit?

-Dave

[Creech]

Do I have to have the cable company come back out since I already have the card or do they need to activate it on the new unit?


I'm fairly certain that the card must be paired with the TiVo in question. They may be able to do this over the phone with you, but I suspect they will roll a truck. Sorry about your bad luck. That sucks.

[CrispyCritter]

Try just swapping the card yourself first. My guess is that will work about half the time. It depends completely on what your local cable franchise does.

[Pictor Guy]

Sorry to hear. It's very possible that the drive died as this is typically the most common component to fail. The good news is that in most situations, drives will die within their first 30 days or they won't fail until after the MTBF rating or warranty expire.

[qili]

I was offered the TivoHD for $199 deal

sounds like TiVo is quite eager to get new subscribers.

some retailers must be pissed at being undercut.

[wkearney99]

Then the 'pissed' retailers need to put more effort into selling units.

As for a unit dying, it's not uncommon for cables to come loose during shipment. It's sometimes worth opening the box and reseating all the cables. It's an easy process and if it cures the problems, a lot simpler than dealing with shipping it back for replacement.

[flatcurve]

Then the 'pissed' retailers need to put more effort into selling units.

As for a unit dying, it's not uncommon for cables to come loose during shipment. It's sometimes worth opening the box and reseating all the cables. It's an easy process and if it cures the problems, a lot simpler than dealing with shipping it back for replacement.

$199 is below wholesale. That's impossible to beat. But aren't these $199 THDs refurbs?

[TexasAg]

$199 is below wholesale. That's impossible to beat. But aren't these $199 THDs refurbs?

The $199 offer is made to current customers who call in and try to cancel service. Some have been offered the THD at $199. Don't think they are refurbs.

[flatcurve]

The $199 offer is made to current customers who call in and try to cancel service. Some have been offered the THD at $199. Don't think they are refurbs.

I guess that makes sense. Tivo makes most of their money on the service anyway, so selling the box at a loss is to their advantage if they can get someone into an agreement.

[bigdave2004]

I guess that makes sense. Tivo makes most of their money on the service anyway, so selling the box at a loss is to their advantage if they can get someone into an agreement.

Its not a refurb and I'm not in any contract agreement. I pay $6.95/mo for 1 tivo. I've been a customer since late 2002.