Using TIVO without subscription

[scottsdalecfo]

I got tired of paying Cox for their DVR rental. Can I buy a used TIVO (which models ?) and simply plug it into my cable outlet and record programs. Basically I
just want to replace our VCR. We don't want to pay a monthly sub fee.

[rtsahil]

Hello,

There are definitely advantages to buying the TiVo and ditching the Cox Cable DVR. Purchase a TiVo Series 3 or higher and you should have no regrets. Purchase an HD TiVo, if your TV can support it. A few things to keep in mind:

1) Cox will provide you a Cable card that will allow you access to the the cable service. More often than not, the Cox Tech who comes to your home to activate the card, will have no clue what they are doing. Do your homework before the tech gets on site. Ask Cox if they are going to charge you for the cable card.

2) Setup TiVo with your home network as opposed to using the phone line. The advantages are just too good.

3) You HAVE to purchase a subscription plan from TiVo. Otherwise, you will not see the guide or be able to record any programs with a season pass/manually.

4) Create your account at TiVo.com and provide your TiVo Serial #. So many people forget to do this.

5) TiVo provides free software for your PC. This will allow you to download recorded programs from your TiVo to your PC. If you can, Purchase the TiVo Desktop Plus which will allow you to transfer movies, pics, videos, music, etc from your PC to your TiVo and then watch it on your TV. The price for TiVo Desktop Plus is about $30 (a one time charge).

[scottsdalecfo]

I don't want to subscribe to TIVO. I'm not interested in channel guide. All i want to do is manually record a program every day at a certain time on a certain station.

Basically use the recorder to replace our VCR. So can this be done and what models will allow this?

[gastrof]

Scott-

I'll send you an internet link for something that might be more along the lines of what you want.

[moonscape]

you can get a used lifetimed tivo on ebay - then you won't have a monthly fee but will have all the benefits you say you don't want. they're probably going for around $150 - you could check.

UPDATE: just looked and this old listing would've gotten you an old series 1 for $17 including shipping - if it was really still working, it'd record and give you more functionality surely than you're looking for.

you might want to just keep an eye on lifetimed tivo units - any of them will result in no monthly fees.