TiVo HD + Lifetime Service + wireless adapter for $699

[skaggs]

Just got an email from TiVo:

http://albanyhdtv.homestead.com/files/080331_offer_left.jpg (http://www.tivo.com/bluemoon/)

[flaminio]

Er, $698. A dollar cheaper than your subject line :).

Looks like a great deal. I'll probably pull the trigger on this one.

[skaggs]

Er, $698. A dollar cheaper than your subject line :).

It's $698.99...so I rounded up to $699. Sorry. :o

[Popasmurf]

I don't think this is as great of a deal as they make it seem. Granted, it IS the complete package at one price, which is cool.

Buy TiVo at $299 (Or cheaper, which you can do...)
Buy Lifetime at $399
Forgo the Adapter
Total price = $698

Now granted, you don't get the adapter for that price, but the price below, would be my option...

If you can find a TiVo HD for $199 (Which I have heard you can do), you can get it for $598. You could run Ethernet for that $100 couldn't you :)

[RaGINaR]

They're trying :).

Yes, it can be had cheaper. Even with the adapter I was about 75 bucks better than that offer.

[ado]

Buy the tivo here:
http://www.tivo.com/promo/nea_specialoffers.html

Then sign in to your account and under discounted packages in your cart, slect lifetime service. The total should be $598.99. $100 cheaper than the Tivo e-mail offer.

This only works if you already have a tivo though and have an online account.

[flaminio]

It's $698.99...so I rounded up to $699. Sorry. :o

Huh, so it is. My old eyes didn't even see the tiny 99c there. I stand (actually, sit) corrected.

[JimPa]

To the uninformed buyer, this looks like a great deal.

But can you imagine the blown tempers when their cable providers renders their TIVO useless with SDV and they're being told that there will be a dongle (sounds too much like donkey) made available at some undetermined time in the future.

[buellwinkle]

So if my cable company goes with SDV (and they already started doing so in nearby Los Angeles), will that mean that I can't use my TV directly attached to a cable, I'll have to get their box? No more analog TV? That in itself is really, really bad. Then my Tivo won't work with it? Even worse. Will cablecards work with it?

Oh, btw, I got my Tivo HD for $549, $150 at Costco for unit, $399 for lifetime service.

[cyberbeach]

DirecTV actually fedexed me a one page offer/warning about how they would be moving locals to a new satellite that I don't currently receive.

They are offering a non-Tivo DVR.

But the bummer is that DirecTV calls it an "equpment exchange" I guess meaning turn in your old one.

[jamesweber]

So if my cable company goes with SDV (and they already started doing so in nearby Los Angeles), will that mean that I can't use my TV directly attached to a cable, I'll have to get their box? No more analog TV? That in itself is really, really bad. Then my Tivo won't work with it? Even worse. Will cablecards work with it?

SDV is used somewhat by most cable companies now to add additional Digital and HD channels. Some are switching over current digital and HD channels over as well. Your analog cable will still be comming over cable for quite some time. Cable Cards will still get any digital and HD content that is not on SDV yet. There is a product comming out 2nd quarter of this year (no exact date) called a tunning resolver that will allow your Tivo to send the signal needed so that your Cable Cards will then be able to operate SDV channels. You also have the option of choosing to use an Antenna to receive your Digital/HD channels OTA. I use the TREK Model and works extremely well, so well in fact I am considering dropping BHN completely.

Hope This Helps

[wblynch]

DirecTV actually fedexed me a one page offer/warning about how they would be moving locals to a new satellite that I don't currently receive.

They are offering a non-Tivo DVR.

But the bummer is that DirecTV calls it an "equpment exchange" I guess meaning turn in your old one.

Lost all my local HD channels on DirecTV HD Tivo today. But I can get them all over the air with an antenna and even better than the D* feeds.

Everything else is the same... for now.

Got my $150 Costco TivoHD started up tonight. No sub yet (takes 3 days) but the TIvoHD is up and running as we speak.

Seems like Cable and Satellite providers are doing all they can to convince viewers to cut the cord and go with FREE Wireless TV.

I hope Tivo sells more and more boxes to keep their company alive. I need my new lifetime sub to last more than 4 years just to break even.

[gastrof]

...Seems like Cable and Satellite providers are doing all they can to convince viewers to cut the cord and go with FREE Wireless TV...

What I'm waiting for is something that apparently was experimented with already in some areas-

Cable channels being carried as subchannels of digital locals.

Can you imagine Discovery or SciFi being available OVER THE AIR?

I'm not sure how the trial runs were set up with regards to paying to get them, or how they were blocked from people who didn't pay, but it's an interesting idea.

[oldnacl]

I haven't been reading the forum much lately - but is TiVo again selling lifetime service @ $399. Since I popped for 3 years @ $299 when I bought the TiVo, I suppose that means to upgrade to lifetime now I'm spending a total of $698? Bummer!

[Goober96]

Buy the tivo here:
http://www.tivo.com/promo/nea_specialoffers.html

Then sign in to your account and under discounted packages in your cart, slect lifetime service. The total should be $598.99. $100 cheaper than the Tivo e-mail offer.

This only works if you already have a tivo though and have an online account.

I tried this and can't get it to add the lifetime unless I choose to buy the Tivo HD at $299. Also, you can't add the linked Tivo deal to your cart unless you pick a service plan (that doesn't include lifetime).

[brutustv]

I got the same email and am seriously considering it, was going to wait on the sidelines for my cable company to maybe adopt the tivo user interface since I love that, but do not see anything on the horizon.
Now my question to you all is I already have a series 2 SD with lifetime, so if I get this series 3 HD will I be ok and be able to run 2 units lifetime in my household?
I cannot find anywhere that says I cannot..unless I am missing something. Is there anyway to get it better then $399 (coupon codes etc), I mean if you compare this to the $99 MSD we are talking over 4 years to equal the outlay on the Lifetime, so once you hit about the 50th month of the time of owning this device you start making out...but what is around the corner at that point?...not sure if the risk worth reward is good. I just hate the amount of monthly fees that are out there, it really adds up and since you do not really notice it after a while it is kinda sneaky.

I guess the original $299 I paid for an 80hr with lifetime 3 years ago seems like a great deal and I just take it for granted that electronics go down in price not up.

B.

[rocko]

I tried this and can't get it to add the lifetime unless I choose to buy the Tivo HD at $299. Also, you can't add the linked Tivo deal to your cart unless you pick a service plan (that doesn't include lifetime).

This assumes you already have an existing unit subbed. Follow his directions and it works fine.

1) Select the TiVo HD from the NEA page - pick any of the listed plans for now.
2) Add to cart
3) Sign in to your account when in the shopping cart (Sign in to see if you qualify for Multi-Service discount)
4) Click "Select my discounted plan"
5) Choose "Replace my plan" with the $399 product lifetime
6) You have a TiVo HD with lifetime for $598.99
7) Enjoy.

[lew]

I don't doubt your answer, as it applies to the poster you quoted but other cable systems are getting rid of analog. FiOS is getting rid of analog in the NY area this month, system wide by the end of the year.

There are posters who've indicated the same thing with other cable services.





Your analog cable will still be comming over cable for quite some time.

[hddude55]

This assumes you already have an existing unit subbed. Follow his directions and it works fine.

1) Select the TiVo HD from the NEA page - pick any of the listed plans for now.
2) Add to cart
3) Sign in to your account when in the shopping cart (Sign in to see if you qualify for Multi-Service discount)
4) Click "Select my discounted plan"
5) Choose "Replace my plan" with the $399 product lifetime
6) You have a TiVo HD with lifetime for $598.99
7) Enjoy.
I bought two series2 DT units last Christmas for our kids and the best deal was thru a Boys & Girls Club offer processed by TiVo.com but not advertised there. Here's another example of a deal offered in affiliation with various groups like NEA that are better deals than TiVo.com advertises. Another reason to hang around here -- people here always ferret out the best deals!:up:

P.S. The TiVo adapter can be purchased cheaper from other vendors -- I think I got my last one from Amazon.com and it was about ten or twenty bucks less than one advertised on this website or on TiVo.com

[rocko]

I don't doubt your answer, as it applies to the poster you quoted but other cable systems are getting rid of analog. FiOS is getting rid of analog in the NY area this month, system wide by the end of the year.

There are posters who've indicated the same thing with other cable services.

I also can attest to the fact that FIOS will be eliminating all analog broadcasts, including locals, by 1-1-2009 here in North Jersey.

I guess since my (2) Series 2 DTs were so cheap, I shouldn't mind that they'll effectively become single tuner units. :mad:

<sarcasm> I shouldn't mind, right? </sarcasm>

[webin]

Don't forget this current Blue Moon deal ALSO includes a TiVo Plushy!

[brutustv]

Hoping someone can answer this..sorry kinda eager to get moving on this:

Now my question to you all is I already have a series 2 SD with lifetime, so if I get this series 3 HD will I be ok and be able to run 2 units lifetime in my household?
I cannot find anywhere that says I cannot..unless I am missing something.

Thanks,
B.

[Eccles]

Yes, there are many people here with multiple lifetime subs on their account.

[brutustv]

Yes, there are many people here with multiple lifetime subs on their account.

Thanks dude....now my last question, is there somewhere I can clearly understand using this with my current cable provider and accessing 2 hi-def channels at once... I mean I read on Tivo: "Two CableCARDs™ may be required for dual tuner functionality and to receive dual digital cable channels. "

The key here is "MAY"...if not using cable cards how does one access 2 channels with the set-top box I am sure the cable company will force me to get?

Thx,
B.

[ilh]

The TiVo HD and S3 cannot operate set-top boxes. You either access OTA or unscrambled analog cable without CableCARDs, or digital potentially encrypted cable with CableCARDs. With the TiVo HD, one "M" card is required for dual-tuner, or two "S" cards.

Your bigger issue is whether your cable provider is using SDV (selective digital video) for some/all of their HD channels as that is not yet supported by TiVo.

[brutustv]

The TiVo HD and S3 cannot operate set-top boxes. You either access OTA or unscrambled analog cable without CableCARDs, or digital potentially encrypted cable with CableCARDs. With the TiVo HD, one "M" card is required for dual-tuner, or two "S" cards.

Your bigger issue is whether your cable provider is using SDV (selective digital video) for some/all of their HD channels as that is not yet supported by TiVo.

What the heck is SDV?(ok read up on it but not clear on how I would find out about this...and am nervous about outlaying cash on a tivo box that might not be able to handle some future changes to cable) I am running with Metrocast Cable, spoke with them and was told they use the MCard it gets me digital hidizznef, man they were not very knowledgable as it is on this. They charge an upfront fee of $100 to buy the cable card plus $50 install, which seems excessive, but the $5.95 monthly fee seems fair as this is in fact a lot less expensive then digital cable+HD so I can make up the $100 fee in less then a year.

B.

[JimPa]

brutustv

If it were me and I didn't already own the S3, I'd wait for the dust to settle on the whole SDV and Tivo's ability to make it work with the adapter.

If you already own the S3 and can get locals OTA in HD with it, you may want to use it for your locals in HD and add one of the satellite services.

[brutustv]

brutustv

If it were me and I didn't already own the S3, I'd wait for the dust to settle on the whole SDV and Tivo's ability to make it work with the adapter.

If you already own the S3 and can get locals OTA in HD with it, you may want to use it for your locals in HD and add one of the satellite services.

F...I wanted to take advantage of that lifetime deal on the tivoHD plus buy it at $598 which ends Apr 5th. DOH... I guess I can wait, but hate to miss out got money in hand to do this thing....just do not want to get screwed.

B.

[Tom White]

DirecTV actually fedexed me a one page offer/warning about how they would be moving locals to a new satellite that I don't currently receive.

They are offering a non-Tivo DVR.

But the bummer is that DirecTV calls it an "equpment exchange" I guess meaning turn in your old one.

...and likely add a couple years to your commitment.

[brutustv]

Wow, I went to the SDV postings, and it really freaked me out... I was all set on get this tivo hd unit, but now I am highly suspect of this being worth it...in fact why would anyone actually buy one of these units unless they are unaware of the SDV issues, which appear to be expanding no doubt.

B.

[Eccles]

Thanks dude....now my last question, is there somewhere I can clearly understand using this with my current cable provider and accessing 2 hi-def channels at once... I mean I read on Tivo: "Two CableCARDs™ may be required for dual tuner functionality and to receive dual digital cable channels. "

The key here is "MAY"...if not using cable cards how does one access 2 channels with the set-top box I am sure the cable company will force me to get?The TiVo Series3 or HD replaces the cable company's STB. If you don't install a CableCARD, it will be able to receive any analog channels on your cable, plus your local off-the-air (OTA) channels. It can record two HD OTA programs simultaneously.

Once you install a CableCARD, you can also receive digital channels from your cable provider, which will include their HD content. The "may be required" part comes into play if you use single-channel S-cards instead of a multi-channel M-card - with only a single S-card, you will only be able to receive one cable channel at a time, regardless of whether it's digital or analog. However, I believe you can still receive one cable and one OTA simultaneously with only a single S-card, so you could record one HD from the cable and one OTA. (Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong about that.)

So yes, to receive two simultaneous HD programs from your cable, you will need two S-cards (for a TiVo S3 or HD)or one M-card (for a TiVo HD).

SDV, well, that's a whole other area, and well covered in other threads including the stickied SDV FAQ. However, AFAIK not many smaller companies are going SDV yet (if at all), and since your cableco wants to sell you a CableCARD rather than lease it to you, I suspect you may not be with one of the larger, more SDV-lovin' cableco's.

[brutustv]

Well just found this so makes me feel a hell of a lot better:
Certain cable operators are using switched digital technology to add new channel lineups on existing bandwidth or eliminate duplicate feeds of premium channels.

Currently, switched digital channels are unavailable to TiVo DVRs that use CableCARDs. However, cable operators will introduce a new external adapter in 2008 that will enable TiVo Series3 HD and TiVo HD DVRs to access switched digital cable channels. For more information, visit www.tivo.com/switched.

[wblynch]

...in fact why would anyone actually buy one of these units unless they are unaware of the SDV issues, which appear to be expanding no doubt.


Well there are people that want to use it for OTA broadcasts only and are not concerned with cable or satellite companies.

I'm using my TivoHD for free broadcast digital High Definition TV.

[ilh]

And not everyone with "cable" is subjected to SDV (e.g., FiOS is not).

[MediaLivingRoom]

This assumes you already have an existing unit subbed. Follow his directions and it works fine.

1) Select the TiVo HD from the NEA page - pick any of the listed plans for now.
2) Add to cart
3) Sign in to your account when in the shopping cart (Sign in to see if you qualify for Multi-Service discount)
4) Click "Select my discounted plan"
5) Choose "Replace my plan" with the $399 product lifetime
6) You have a TiVo HD with lifetime for $598.99
7) Enjoy.

Yes, that totally worked.

[S3-2501]

Ok, I did this, and while the price is correct for the lifetime deal, my order confirmation still shows only a 1-year prepay. Minor error, or serious issue?

[S3-2501]

Just checked the order history and there it correctly says "TiVo Package, Product Lifetime 180-hr TiVo HD DVR In-Box Accessory Letter" Thanks so much for posting the instructions on this deal!

[roven97]

How are some of you getting TiVO HD for $150 at Costco? I checked on the costco website, as well as in store, and the best I can find is $259. I'd love to get a TiVO HD and drop D*TV (I really only watch OTA shows anyway, besides BSG) but don't want to pony up $250+ if I don't have to.

I wonder if I should just hold off? Seems like they are offering the Lifetime to get rid of stock on TiVO HD G1, so that this summer (NAB???) they can release G2. Hard to say.

Thanks gang.

[wblynch]

How are some of you getting TiVO HD for $150 at Costco? I checked on the costco website, as well as in store, and the best I can find is $259. I'd love to get a TiVO HD and drop D*TV (I really only watch OTA shows anyway, besides BSG) but don't want to pony up $250+ if I don't have to.

I wonder if I should just hold off? Seems like they are offering the Lifetime to get rid of stock on TiVO HD G1, so that this summer (NAB???) they can release G2. Hard to say.

Thanks gang.

There were two stacks of them at my local Costco store for that price. I bought one and my friend bought one. When I went back to get another they were all gone. I haven't seen any Tivos in 4 local Costco's since April 1.

The best alternative I've seen is the $199 NEA special. You can find links to that promotion posted in this forum.