How to use Series 80 without TIVO service?

[gplm2008]

We have an old TIVO Series 80 analog set and will leave it hooked to an older TV. However since we have a new HDTV and new HD TIVO, the old one will simply become a DVR. Will it work without the Tivo Service? I realize that it will be manual and not record next weeks game automatically. Any suggestions?:p

[LifeIsABeach]

Is this a US unit or for another country? In the US there is only a Series 1, 2, and 3. Most Series 1 TiVos will works manually without a subscription and some Series 2 that came with TiVo Basic will do the same. Not sure about your unit.

[classicsat]

If it is a Series 2:
If you unplug the network or phone cable, it will not receive the "terminate service" command, and may work to manually record, at least until the service keys expire, perhaps longer.

[leemoreau]

I don't know why all TiVo's don't just continue to record manually when unsubscribed. How many people would actually go and buy one to use it like a VCR manually recording everything? Defeats like everything there is about the TiVo, I doubt they'd lose that much revenue over it.

[ZeoTiVo]

I don't know why all TiVo's don't just continue to record manually when unsubscribed. How many people would actually go and buy one to use it like a VCR manually recording everything? Defeats like everything there is about the TiVo, I doubt they'd lose that much revenue over it.

seriously?
have you seen the constant parade of what to do with unsubbed TiVo threads. Subs on S2 would drop quickly if they did a manual record without a sub.

[classicsat]

It boils down to the fact that TiVo's business model is the subscription, with the hardware, sold at a bit of a loss, as a means to have the subscriptions.

Related, to a certain degree, TiVo's brand is the service and interface, not necessarily the hardware features.

[fallingwater]

...Subs on S2 would drop quickly if they did a manual record without a sub.

You're as big a fan of TiVo as exists on these Forums and it's somewhat surprising and refreshing to actually see you admit that.:eek: Many TiVo fans might attempt to smudge it.

IMHO, your forthrightness is in no way harmful to TiVo; it's merely a statement of fact; regardless of its limitations a DVR without even an EPG that records manually is no VCR.

TiVo is continually struggling to make its business model pay. Apparently subs alone can't quite do it, but subs are (by far?) the biggest revenue stream TiVo's got.

[atmuscarella]

TiVo is continually struggling to make its business model pay.The concept that TiVo must be alive and well for our TiVos to function as we want them too escapes some people. I have no concern for Panasonic's financial success if they fold up tomorrow my TV will function just fine. However the same is not true for my TiVo, so I have little concern for those that don't want to pay a subscription or want some great deal that causes TiVo to lose even more money. I am fairly sure everyone wants the best deal they can get but if what you want is also an ongoing service then you need the company providing the service to be financially able to continue to provide the service.

Thanks,

[fallingwater]

Truth be told, ReplayTV boxes were orphaned quite a while ago and ReplayTV's patents(?) have been sold to DirecTV, but old ReplayTV DVR's work just as they always did with no loss of functionally. If, in the unlikely worst case scenario, TiVo were to be sold there'd be no reason whatsoever to expect anything less.

[jmoak]

Truth be told, ReplayTV boxes were orphaned quite a while ago and ReplayTV's patents(?) have been sold to DirecTV, but old ReplayTV DVR's work just as they always did with no loss of functionally. If, in the unlikely worst case scenario, TiVo were to be sold there'd be no reason whatsoever to expect anything less.... as long as they get bought out by someone who will keep up the infrastructure necessary to continue delivering the guide data and background services necessary for the service to continue, as D&M Holdings has done with Sonicblue's ReplayTV line.

D&M Holdings will operate existing service contracts for current ReplayTV subscribers for the "foreseeable future." (http://planetreplay.com/)

If not, well, there'd be no reason whatsoever to expect anything.

[gastrof]

I don't know why all TiVo's don't just continue to record manually when unsubscribed. How many people would actually go and buy one to use it like a VCR manually recording everything? Defeats like everything there is about the TiVo, I doubt they'd lose that much revenue over it.

The reason all TiVos don't work without service is because, as mentioned, the boxes are sold at a loss and TiVo expects to make up the difference, and more, by way of the monthly or yearly subscription price.

As for using a TiVo as a basic recorder without the bells and whistles? There are a few of us who have unsubbed Series 1 machines that have basic functions without service, and we're satisfied with what we have.

THAT's why TiVo made later machines so's to NOT work without service. Because some people would buy the machine and just use it without subscribing. TiVo would be losing money.

Like they do with me. :D

[jlb]

.....As for using a TiVo as a basic recorder without the bells and whistles? There are a few of us who have unsubbed Series 1 machines that have basic functions without service, and we're satisfied with what we have.....

And some Series 2 boxes, or at least my old AT&TiVo S2.

[ZeoTiVo]

You're as big a fan of TiVo as exists on these Forums and it's somewhat surprising and refreshing to actually see you admit that.:eek: Many TiVo fans might attempt to smudge it. I am a fan of TiVo but try and stay in the realm of reality about the company and product. ;) I would hope that is apparent in other postings as well; though same areas are just plain subjective of course( like ads) I still try and present my honest feelings without filtering through some TiVo eye glasses. That is why I always rant when presented with "your a fanboy" replies as it of course implies I spin everything for TiVo regardless of reality. (YRMV)

IMHO, your forthrightness is in no way harmful to TiVo; it's merely a statement of fact; regardless of its limitations a DVR without even an EPG that records manually is no VCR. Correct, my take on reality will not change TiVo bottom line that much. ;) I also think that just season passes and wishlists is not worth $13 a month if I could alternately use a good reliable DVR in manual record mode. I do think that TiVo overall though is worth the sub price to get the best dang DVR that is solid and reliable*, filled with other features I also like and makes setting up ongoing recordings so painless my 11 year old kids set them up on the TiVo in the play room all the time. That totality is what makes TiVo worth it to me.

TiVo is continually struggling to make its business model pay. Apparently subs alone can't quite do it, but subs are (by far?) the biggest revenue stream TiVo's got. actually TiVo is starting to make its business model pay. The company just needed a CEO who focused on that versus the DVR itself. Stay tuned to see if this fan likes all that comes down the pike. Having a Standalone is a big part of the draw for me. I own the hardware and can sling it onto any cable company and FIOS when it comes. If TiVo delivers on the promise of a tru2way DVR that can do this then I will be a happy customer/fan for many years to come despite the imperfections any product and company will have.


*lucky me, I have not had the issues others post about here and still think that the issues are limited to an unlucky minority or specific configuration versus userbase wide software errors.

[fallingwater]

The reason all TiVos don't work without service is because, as mentioned, the boxes are sold at a loss and TiVo expects to make up the difference, and more, by way of the monthly or yearly subscription price.

...some people would buy the machine and just use it without subscribing. TiVo would be losing money.

On TiVo's website there are relatively cheap ($180+) refurbs available with full priced service. Not as good a deal as the $149 email special but available to everyone. The spread between HD and S3 is $170 which is high, but S3's are getting scarce.

https://www3.tivo.com/store/webspecials.do?WT.z_links=shophome_webspecials_hdrefurb

Wonder how much the cheapest used unsubbed HDTiVo from a private party costs in comparison with an almost free Coupon eligible OTA Converter Box. An unsubbed HDTiVo TiVo has no EPG, just like Coupon Converters, but provides hi-def from both OTA and cable sources and 'trick play', which Coupon Converters can't. A used unsubbed HDTiVo might be a better deal for some applications and TiVo service could always be added whenever a user wanted.

[fallingwater]

I am a fan of TiVo but try and stay in the realm of reality about the company and product. ;) I would hope that is apparent in other postings as well; though same areas are just plain subjective of course( like ads) I still try and present my honest feelings without filtering through some TiVo eye glasses. That is why I always rant when presented with "your a fanboy" replies as it of course implies I spin everything for TiVo regardless of reality.

You're my favorite TiVo 'Fanboy' by far. If all 'fanboys' were like you the term would be a compliment!

I do think that TiVo overall though is worth the sub price to get the best dang DVR that is solid and reliable, filled with other features I also like and makes setting up ongoing recordings so painless my 11 year old kids set them up on the TiVo in the play room all the time. That totality is what makes TiVo worth it to me.

As you know I use TiVo 'different'! For me TiVo's fixation with details has succeeded in creating the most stable, reliable, and intuitively easy-to-operate TV recorder available regardless of features or technology.

I never considered using hi-def TiVo w/o service as an OTA/Cable 'trick-play' tuner until you suggested it. (It was you, no?)

I trust TiVo sells new hi-def TiVos above their cost of manufacture. If so they can't help but help TiVo's bottom line a little, no matter what.

[ZeoTiVo]

You're my favorite TiVo 'Fanboy' by far. If all 'fanboys' were like you the term would be a compliment! I will take that as an errr, ummm er.... compliment!? :p


As you know I use TiVo 'different'! For me TiVo's fixation with details has succeeded in creating the most stable, reliable, and intuitively easy-to-operate TV recorder available regardless of features or technology.

I never considered using hi-def TiVo w/o service as an OTA/Cable 'trick-play' tuner until you suggested it. (It was you, no?)

I trust TiVo sells new hi-def TiVos above their cost of manufacture. If so they can't help but help TiVo's bottom line a little, no matter what.
yep that was me, and they do sell them at cost I think, though of course I am just swagging with no access to numbers on what it costs to amke a Tivo HD and get it on a store shelf or Amazon delivery.

[gastrof]

Originally posted by gastrof-

The reason all TiVos don't work without service is because, as mentioned, the boxes are sold at a loss and TiVo expects to make up the difference, and more, by way of the monthly or yearly subscription price.

...some people would buy the machine and just use it without subscribing. TiVo would be losing money

On TiVo's website there are relatively cheap ($180+) refurbs available with full priced service. Not as good a deal as the $149 email special but available to everyone. The spread between HD and S3 is $170 which is high, but S3's are getting scarce.

https://www3.tivo.com/store/webspeci...cials_hdrefurb

Wonder how much the cheapest used unsubbed HDTiVo from a private party costs in comparison with an almost free Coupon eligible OTA Converter Box...

I don't know why you brought this up.

You were replying to a post about TiVos that work without being subscribed. This means no monthly service fee. NO Series 3 TiVo works without subscription, thus there's a fee involved in keeping the machine working.

[gastrof]

The concept that TiVo must be alive and well for our TiVos to function as we want them too escapes some people. I have no concern for Panasonic's financial success if they fold up tomorrow my TV will function just fine. However the same is not true for my TiVo, so I have little concern for those that don't want to pay a subscription or want some great deal that causes TiVo to lose even more money. I am fairly sure everyone wants the best deal they can get but if what you want is also an ongoing service then you need the company providing the service to be financially able to continue to provide the service.

Thanks,

Actually, those of us who use TiVos unsubbed are also depending on TiVo Inc to remain in operation.

To get our clocks to stay accurate and to accomodate any changes in our local channel lineups, our machines have to "phone home" once in a while.

If TiVo wasn't there, our boxes would eventually be useless.