Definition of lifetime

[Fedhead]

I have spent 10 minutes searching the Tivo site to see what Lifetime really means. It is not under their FAQ. Is it tied to the Tivo unit? If the unit dies in 2 years, am I screwed? Can you point me to the fine print?

Thanks all

[WhiskeyTango]

It's the lifetime of the unit.

[bamachick19]

The PLS is intact to one unit. If the dvr breaks, TiVo will exchange it and the PLS is transferrable either with a manufacturers warranty or retailers warranty.

[GBL]

From TiVo Service Agreement (http://tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivoserviceagreement.html)

14. Product Lifetime Subscriptions. A "Product Lifetime Subscription" to the TiVo service covers the life of the TiVo DVR you buy – not the life of the subscriber. The Product Lifetime Subscription accompanies the TiVo DVR in case of ownership transfer. The subscription remains in effect if the TiVo DVR needs to be repaired or replaced due to a malfunction (see manufacturer or retailer warranty details) or even if you upgrade your TiVo DVR to increase storage capacity (though such upgrades, if not performed by TiVo or a TiVo-authorized third party, will void the warranty on your TiVo DVR and constitute a breach of this Agreement). Because a Product Lifetime Subscription is linked to a particular TiVo DVR, you may not transfer it to any other TiVo DVR unless all the following conditions apply: (a) the TiVo DVR is being replaced pursuant to the manufacturer's or retailer's warranty; and (b) the TiVo DVR being replaced is of the same make and model as the replacement TiVo DVR; and (c) you provide us with a proof of replacement by the manufacturer or retailer. TiVo reserves the right to charge you a fee to transfer Product Lifetime Service from a TiVo DVR being replaced to a replacement TiVo DVR. Each TiVo DVR purchased requires its own TiVo service subscription and activation. Of course, hardware products don't last forever and their lifespan will vary. TiVo makes no warranties or representations as to the expected lifetime of the TiVo DVR (aside from the manufacturer's or retailer's warranty).

[brettatk]

I have not known many units to just "die". Most of the time it's just the hard drive that fails and that can easily be replaced. I had a series 1 that ran for 7 years (which I transferred to a new Tivo HD) and I'm over 4 years on my Series 2. If given the oppurtunity I would always buy lifetime rather than paying a monthly fee.

[jkalnin]

While the life of a Tivo may vary, I'm sure you find more stories of people with Tivos that are 6-10 years old and still running vs one that died within two years.

My S2 is over 5 years old and still running strong.

[ciper]

Power Supply and Hard drive failures are easy to repair. However there are times when the motherboard is damaged (dead modems on the S1 was somewhat common).

If you are worried about Lifetime and the unit breaking you could always connect it and your network equipment to a UPS and use a good coaxial surge suppressor.

[scandia101]

Power Supply and Hard drive failures are easy to repair. However there are times when the motherboard is damaged (dead modems on the S1 was somewhat common).


Even the dead modem issue on a S1 or S2 could be solved just as easily as a hard drive or power supply by using an external modem.

[JohnnyO]

It seems that the useful lifetime of a device is in flux. HD becomes more common. Cable providers are using Cable Cards. SDV is in the picture, or nearly so for some. It seems that even if the TiVo units themselves are still working fine, two years from now, a TiVoHD unit might seem as outdated as an SD Tivo is today.

With that in mind, do folks still think LifeTime is a good investment? Are folks banking on the ability to transfer to a newer unit, or do folks think they will still be happy in a couple of years with their current TiVo units?

[mattack]

I have spent 10 minutes searching the Tivo site to see what Lifetime really means. It is not under their FAQ. Is it tied to the Tivo unit? If the unit dies in 2 years, am I screwed? Can you point me to the fine print?


To be a bit redundant since this is in the quoted terms in another reply...

but if it's fixed/replaced by Tivo, the lifetime can go to another unit.

It's just that you can't generally go out and buy a new Tivo and move the subscription to
a new unit. (The exceptions to "generally" have been paid-for lifetime transfer options in the past.)

[BobB]

It seems that the useful lifetime of a device is in flux. HD becomes more common. Cable providers are using Cable Cards. SDV is in the picture, or nearly so for some. It seems that even if the TiVo units themselves are still working fine, two years from now, a TiVoHD unit might seem as outdated as an SD Tivo is today.

With that in mind, do folks still think LifeTime is a good investment? Are folks banking on the ability to transfer to a newer unit, or do folks think they will still be happy in a couple of years with their current TiVo units?

Definitely, because even if you decide to buy a new unit to get new features, your old one will still be of interest to someone. For example, when I recently got my new HD TiVO, I gave my S2 to my sister, who doesn't have an HDTV and probably won't for some time, so for her the step from no TiVO to an SD TiVO was huge. And the Lifetime subscription is transferable so she'll never have to pay a thing until something in it breaks.

And if you decide to sell it, a box with Lifetime will have much greater resale value than one without.