What to do with old Series2 TiVo

[Clownpleco]

So I just bought a TiVo HD (in preparation for th DTV switchover Feb '09, yes I still use rabbit ears). Now I have my old Series 2. I do have an extra TV, but I'm too cheap to purchase monthly service. Once upon a time I heard of a free TiVo plan that allowed you to get just a day or 2 programming information.

Is that still available?

Thanks

Rick

[shady]

That plan was only available on some third party DVD/Tivo Combos. You cannot get that service on a Series 2.

If you don't want to pay monthly on it (even with the multi service discount) then I suggest ebay

[lastdeadcat]

Since DT Series 2 boxes will become ST with a cable box or digial OTA converter, A ST Series 2 might become more valuable.

I bought at TiVoHD because my cable company is going all digital in August 2008. Before that I had three ST Series 2s subscribed. I transfered the subscription from a 540 box to the TiVoHD and kept the other two 240 boxes subscribed. I will probably unsubscribe my 40-hour Series 2 in August when I get the CableCard(s) for my TiVoHD and get a cable box for my remaining 80-hour Series 2.

With the summer repeats and the writers strike, I have been recording much on my Series 2s. I have them both set to record suggestions, just looking for something interesting to show up. With the DT capablity in the TiVoHD and the clipping ability, I haven't needed a third box to get a recording. I want to have one on hand just for those times when there are three programs to record and my TiVoHD's DTs can't handle it.

[Clownpleco]

My wife is the TiVo goddess in our house ...

Can you still use a Series 2 TiVo with out a subscription - like an old VCR? If I remember right, that is possible, just don't get all the bells and whistles.

Rick

[DrewTivo]

My wife is the TiVo goddess in our house ...

Can you still use a Series 2 TiVo with out a subscription - like an old VCR? If I remember right, that is possible, just don't get all the bells and whistles.

Rick

You get 30-minute buffer and nothing else.

[bhaas]

you're thinking of the S1, IIRC- they could be used as VCRs, by manual time/channel recording with no guide data. Not the S2, though.

[classicsat]

Since DT Series 2 boxes will become ST with a cable box or digial OTA converter, A ST Series 2 might become more valuable.


Having to use a cable box will not make a dual tuner a single tuner, it is capable of having a cable box and analog cable setup. It only becomes single tuner when analog cable goes away.

A Series 2 DT (or 542 single tuner) will not work with the OTA convertors, at least officially, since those TiVos don't work with antenna anyways.

There is no need to dump a Series 2 Dual Tuner for a Series 2 Single Tuner because you lose analog cable, unless you wish to dump cable for OTA because of that, and want official OTA box support.

[Clownpleco]

You get 30-minute buffer and nothing else.

Well I got home and found the S2 will work like a VCR - there is a time record option - yea!!

[Clownpleco]

I just checked our S2 and it does have time record capabilities. I did not try it, but it looked exactly like the options on a VCR with even a better interface. Looks like my old S2 will have some use - at least until Feb '09. At that point I hope that TiVo will start supporting the DTV->Analog converter boxes.

[dwit]

You will still need a subscription for long term use of even the vcr type operation.

After you cancel the sub(or transfer to another TSN), the cancelled Tivo will be deactivated for all functions the next time it connects to the Tivo service.
If you do not allow it to connect, it will continue functioning for a period, but will eventually self deactivate.