Multi Room Usage - Subscription???

[Morpheus101]

I have the lifetime membership which allows multiroom. When I connect my second TiVo to the network will it be able to tie in to my main TiVo device? Will I need to purchase another subscription to get it to work in the same fashion as my main TiVo unit?

I basically want to connect 2 TiVo's through the network and be able to get the same features on both units.

Thanks...

[maharg18]

Yes the 2nd Tivo will need a subscription as well.

[jjberger2134]

the second sub. can be monthly or lifetime. However, both units must be Series 2, and must not be "TiVo Basic" (found on combo units by Toshiba and Pioneer), or Direct TV units.

Both units will be able to connect to one another as well as a PC on your network. You will be able to move shows Tivo to Tivo or Tivo to PC or PC to Tivo.

[TiVoEvan74]

The second unit, though, can be subscribed for only $6.95 per month, and that's the route that many recommend for a second unit-- especially if you're a hi-tech adopter and could be interested in upgrading in the next year or two.

Do read up a bit on the TiVo to Tivo biz, though... you have to networked the TiVos and transfer can take a long time--- in some wireless configs, the transfer time is about 2/3 of the regular show time... so it's not as if you have instant viewing on another TiVo in another room. Still, it generally works well and allows one to move shows around. Even better would be a dual tuner TiVo.

[classicsat]

The second unit can be one of the TiVo Basic units, just Basic service doesn't offer MRV.

[rainwater]

Originally Posted by TiVoEvan74

Do read up a bit on the TiVo to Tivo biz, though... you have to networked the TiVos and transfer can take a long time--- in some wireless configs, the transfer time is about 2/3 of the regular show time... so it's not as if you have instant viewing on another TiVo in another room. Still, it generally works well and allows one to move shows around. Even better would be a dual tuner TiVo.

If you are using wired or a g adapter, unless you have poor signal quality, you should be able to watch any show in real-time without any waiting (since you can watch while it copies).

[Morpheus101]

I have the new Wireless G adapter from TiVo. It's the latest Series 2.

I am planning on upgrading to the Series 3 when it's available.

Will upgrading to the Series 3 effect my Lifetime subscription? I'm assuming I can transfer the subscription.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Morpheus101

I have the new Wireless G adapter from TiVo. It's the latest Series 2.

I am planning on upgrading to the Series 3 when it's available.

Will upgrading to the Series 3 effect my Lifetime subscription? I'm assuming I can transfer the subscription.

Lifetime subs are usually not transferred. When Series 2 came out there was a very brief period that you could transfer the sub from a Series 1 to a Series 2 but there's no indication that that offer will be repeated. Lifetime is lifetime of the box, not the owner.

One way to recoup your investment would be to eBay the machine. Lifetime Series 2 machines are selling from $200 to $250, currently.

[Morpheus101]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Lifetime subs are usually not transferred. When Series 2 came out there was a very brief period that you could transfer the sub from a Series 1 to a Series 2 but there's no indication that that offer will be repeated. Lifetime is lifetime of the box, not the owner.

One way to recoup your investment would be to eBay the machine. Lifetime Series 2 machines are selling from $200 to $250, currently.

Seeing the Series 3 will be out in about 6 months I just canceled my Lifetime and switched to monthly. It seems that transferring service is a very trivial task for TiVo. By TiVo not offering this service, it sure sounds like a gimmick to screw the people that want to upgrade.

[dgh]

TiVo lifetime service typically has very high (sometimes even over 100%) resale value making it a heck of a deal for most people.

[Stormspace]

Originally Posted by Morpheus101

Seeing the Series 3 will be out in about 6 months I just canceled my Lifetime and switched to monthly. It seems that transferring service is a very trivial task for TiVo. By TiVo not offering this service, it sure sounds like a gimmick to screw the people that want to upgrade.

Maybe I'm just stupid and completely without clue, but why would anyone cancel a lifetime sub?

[ZeoTiVo]

Originally Posted by Stormspace

Maybe I'm just stupid and completely without clue, but why would anyone cancel a lifetime sub?

I guess he meant on the new second TiVo and did it within 30 days so he got his money back

[Stormspace]

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

I guess he meant on the new second TiVo and did it within 30 days so he got his money back

<slow>Oooooh. OK, now I get it. </slow>

Been a "day" for me.

[ZeoTiVo]

Originally Posted by Stormspace

<slow>Oooooh. OK, now I get it. </slow>

Been a "day" for me.

no worries. I totally vegged on Europe using PAL which is totally different from US standard in a different thread. Dennis had my back on that one

[Morpheus101]

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

I guess he meant on the new second TiVo and did it within 30 days so he got his money back

Yes, I only have one TiVo as I returned the other. I did have 30 days to cancel the lifetime, and I now have a monthly subscription. I do however have to keep that for a year because I received a rebate of $150 off the TiVo, which paid for the year. Also if or when the TiVo dies I can return it for a full refund.

I probably should have rented one from my Cable Co. and waited for the Series 3 to come out. I had no idea at the time that the lifetime was set to the box.

[classicsat]

If the box fails within warranty, you can have TiVo replace it.
If it lives beyond warranty and you want a Series 3, you can sell the Series2 with Lifetie for a decent price, although I wonder what is going to happen To the value of S2s, Lifers and monthlies, when people start replacing their S1 or S2 with and S3.

[jjberger2134]

TiVo has consistently raised the cost of the lifetime service over the years. The current $299 has been around for a couple of years now, and with all of the added features of a Series 3, I would bet the Series 3 will have a higher lifetime charge. Thus making the lifetime sub. on a Series 2 even more valuable, offset by the fewer features of a Series 2 vs. 3. Overall, I think the value of a Series 2 sub will remain fairly close to the current cost. Just my opinion...

[Morpheus101]

Originally Posted by classicsat

If the box fails within warranty, you can have TiVo replace it.
If it lives beyond warranty and you want a Series 3, you can sell the Series2 with Lifetie for a decent price, although I wonder what is going to happen To the value of S2s, Lifers and monthlies, when people start replacing their S1 or S2 with and S3.

If something does happen to my S2, my retailer will will refund the total cost of the system and deal with the return, even if it's been a year.

I'm almost SURE there will be a flood of lifetime systems hitting eBay just after the S3 is released, and selling a S1 or S2 will become very difficult, at least for a decent price.

I know TiVo makes it's money off the subscriptions, but it sure seems that there is something they can do about transfers.

[shady]

Originally Posted by jjberger2134

TiVo has consistently raised the cost of the lifetime service over the years. The current $299 has been around for a couple of years now, and with all of the added features of a Series 3, I would bet the Series 3 will have a higher lifetime charge....

I believe the price rise in lifetime service in the past was to try to make people choose monthly instead of lifetime (which is better financially for TiVo.

Even though the series 3 has new features, that doesn't necessarily mean additional services

[TiVoEvan74]

Plus, won't the new features be mostly things that the real true-blue TiVo high-end users want? So that it won't exactly be mass market?

Why wouldn't TiVo keep series 2 and have a dual track approach? Low-end to get people into the TiVo world and high-end units to make more profits and provide upgrade paths and more revenue... works that way in the computer world and would make sense for TiVos, too!

[oldschooldev]

What is the source for the information that the series 3 will be coming out in 6 months (June '06?) and can someone summarize the benefits/improvements of the S3 over the S2? I'm debating whether to get a S2 now or just wait.

[megazone]

First of all, no one said June (or, if they did, they shouldn't have). The official word is "the second half of the year' - which would be sometime between July and December, inclusive. That comes directly from TiVo at CES, and in posts here. Personally I wouldn't bet on July either, I'd say late Q3 or early Q4, but before the holiday shopping season.

As for the features - do a search on 'Series3', there are a number of threads on that already.

[HDTiVo]

Originally Posted by oldschooldev

What is the source for the information that the series 3 will be coming out in 6 months (June '06?) and can someone summarize the benefits/improvements of the S3 over the S2? I'm debating whether to get a S2 now or just wait.

The source is TiVo Inc. They just have not told us the date that it will be coming out in six months.

[ZeoTiVo]

Originally Posted by HDTiVo

The source is TiVo Inc. They just have not told us the date that it will be coming out in six months.

Like Megazone said - TiVo inc, said second half of 2006. TiVo inc. has never said in 6 months.

[TiVoEvan74]

6-12 months, then, right?

Again, will there really be anything for the rest of us in Series 3? That is, mere mortal users of TiVo, not high-end gurus, audio/video aficionados?

[megazone]

Originally Posted by TiVoEvan74

Again, will there really be anything for the rest of us in Series 3? That is, mere mortal users of TiVo, not high-end gurus, audio/video aficionados?

That'd be called a Series2, wouldn't it? Strip all the high-end features of the S3 and you basically have the S2.

The S3 works for analog and SD content, so you don't need HD or digital to use it.

[HDTiVo]

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

Like Megazone said - TiVo inc, said second half of 2006. TiVo inc. has never said in 6 months.

You totally missed the joke.