S3. Has it Gotten Better from Day 1?

jhurlbut · 03-12-2007, 04:17 PM

OK, I don't want this to be another "bash TiVo" thread. I bought my S3 on day 1 from Frys. I live in the northwest and have Comcast. I went through 3 weeks of trying 10 or more different cable cards, Two S3's, 3 technician visits and well over 20 hours of tech support with Comcast and TiVo on the phone. I ended up returning the 2nd S3 and giving up.

I decided to re-visit this forum to see if there were any shining lights out there. But all I see are complaints about cable cards (still!), complaints about dropouts, complaints about audio problems with a few "mine is working great" threads thrown in. I was so on board with the S3. I still absolutely hate my Comcrap HD DVR and would LOVE to have a working S3. But I'm guessing now is still not the right time to buy one.

Does anyone know if TiVo has something new in the works? Potentially without Cable Cards? I've heard rumors of a Comcast box with TiVo software. Any truth to those rumors? Please, I'm dying to have my TiVo back. Give me some hope.

Anyone?

Granzella · 03-12-2007, 04:22 PM

I have had zero issues since I got mine from day 1. (september)

porges · 03-12-2007, 04:26 PM

I just broke down and got Cablecards for my TiVo today, after having the S3 for 5 months. It worked fine. It might be more reliable with the newest software, which was pushed out to all machines a couple of weeks ago. (My cable co is Comcast/Boston.)

fritolayguy · 03-12-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Granzella

I have had zero issues since I got mine from day 1. (september)

Same here. Cablecards were not an issue, and I have been very happy with my S3 investment since purchase.

CosmoGeek · 03-12-2007, 04:52 PM

You could try calling your local Comcast to see if they can confirm a successful S3 install in your area. I remember your original posts. I had similar issues but eventually got it resolved on the third or fourth truck roll (can't remember for sure). For me the problem was the impatient tech instantly navigating after the card was plugged in and before the 161-4 message or the cable card screen coming up on its own. Also they kept sending "hits", which didn't work, but eventually sent an "initialize, refresh, hit" sequence. Anyway, a very painful experience but it eventually worked.

At this point, I would be tempted to wait for the Comcast/TiVo box, especially since SDV could conceivably hit your area by the end of the year. I don't expect to get the five years out of my S3 that I got out of my S2.

I remember when I got my S2 that I figured that if TiVo stayed in business for three years I would think it was worth it. Even though they keep losing money, they are still around.

ashu · 03-12-2007, 04:59 PM

No, OP - it hasn't. It was the best HD DVR in the market in September 2006, and that status is still unchanged.

Blame your local cable franchise for your issues, unless you HAVEN'T tried a replacement unit during your original experience (I may have missed it - but you didn't mention you did - perhaps your S3 unit was faulty?!)

ChuckyBox · 03-12-2007, 05:25 PM

There have been some changes -- there have been a couple software updates that fixed a lot of problems, and there are new features.

As for cable cards, it looks like the biggest change is that the cable companies are learning how to support them. A recent poll in this forum showed that most people got working cards the first time. That didn't seem to be the case when the product was introduced.

TiVo and Comcast do have a deal that will put TiVo software on Comcast's Motorola DVRs. We are told that this product will be introduced to its initial test market in the "near future." Most people think that means within one to three months but no one from the companies is saying. The test market is said to be "significant" so unless you are in a fairly big city, it won't be you. If your Comcast system uses the Motorola DVRs, you will likely get offered the product within a year or so, but again, no one is saying. If you have the Scientific Atlanta hardware, your wait will be longer (maybe forever).

SCSIRAID · 03-12-2007, 05:31 PM

My TiVo S3 has been great since I got it in September. Cablecards and Antenna. I do suffer the dropout/pixelation issue but that isnt near enough to tempt me to go back to the 8300.....

I think Chucky hit on the biggest improvement... the cablecos now know what an S3 and a cablecard are and are learning to deal with them.

caddyroger · 03-12-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhurlbut

OK, I don't want this to be another "bash TiVo" thread. I bought my S3 on day 1 from Frys. I live in the northwest and have Comcast. I went through 3 weeks of trying 10 or more different cable cards, Two S3's, 3 technician visits and well over 20 hours of tech support with Comcast and TiVo on the phone. I ended up returning the 2nd S3 and giving up.

I decided to re-visit this forum to see if there were any shining lights out there. But all I see are complaints about cable cards (still!), complaints about dropouts, complaints about audio problems with a few "mine is working great" threads thrown in. I was so on board with the S3. I still absolutely hate my Comcrap HD DVR and would LOVE to have a working S3. But I'm guessing now is still not the right time to buy one.

Does anyone know if TiVo has something new in the works? Potentially without Cable Cards? I've heard rumors of a Comcast box with TiVo software. Any truth to those rumors? Please, I'm dying to have my TiVo back. Give me some hope.

Anyone?

I live Graham WA not far from Puyallup, WA. I went to the Tacoma 6th st office and picked up 3 cards 2 for the tivo and 1 for my tv . Went home and installed them by, Tivo directions and they be working perfectly since Sept.
The comcast tivo my be out this summer so may be it will work better for you. I might try it again then.

mikeyts · 03-12-2007, 05:58 PM

Judging the quality of a product by discussion in an online forum about it isn't terribly wise. Very few people are going to come here to say how highly satisfied they've been with their S3--they open new topics to discuss problem or issues that they have with it, seeking help and feedback. I've only had mine for two months, but I use it heavily. The cards installed on the first visit both instantly worked and have worked fine ever since. The box froze once (requiring a cold start) since I got it. I've got no complaints, and it would never have occurred to me to come to this forum to open a thread just to say that it works as advertised. I have to believe that the vast majority of user experience with this is pretty much the same.

Well, I do have one beef, and that has to do with external drive support; I feel a bit the victim of false advertising on that front. I do trust that it will eventually be resolved and the expansion drive port enabled (though it might require a special drive).

hornblowercat · 03-12-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashu

No, OP - it hasn't. It was the best HD DVR in the market in September 2006, and that status is still unchanged.

+1. And if you read these forums like you claim you do you realize most people come here to complain, not to talk about how great their S3 is.

And as others said, it's gotten better with the new software implements.

DrWho453 · 03-12-2007, 06:19 PM

After the first installation, I had some issues, one I think was that they never fully init card 2 until later that night because I could not get some of the HD channels but after 9:30 that night, I had all the channels. I did have some issues from time to time with channel going blank for no reason and if I was recording the channel, I had to stop the recording to get the channel back or change to the next channel and back. But that got better over time and since the latest software upgrade, I have had very little problems with it. From time to time if I change channels on the 300 level, the channel sometimes goes gray and if I wait a couple of minutes, I get the cable card on the screen saying to use this information to set the card up but then if I hit clear, the blank channel has video again. I am not sure if its because I am flipping through the channel faster then it can keep up or what but it happens so rarely that its not a problem and I love my tivo 3.

tedbill · 03-12-2007, 06:24 PM

The S3 has worked great for me, CableCards and all. Only getting better with the new services that have been recently announced and updated software.

drew00001 · 03-12-2007, 08:41 PM

I live a bit North of you (Bel-Red area) and also ordered my S3 on the first day. I also have Comcast. Apparently, I had a much better experience, but should note there was a small learning curve for myself and the Comcast agent. The only problems I had installing the first two cards came from my own impatience and not realizing that the S3 manual said to ignore an error message I received. Once I ignored such (and became patient), I had no further problems with these two cards.

Unfortunately, I had to change Comcast accounts, which meant two new cablecards. With both sets of cards, the Comcast office in Redmond innitialized the cards and gave them to me to install. I don't think the second agent set my new cards up correctly, as they did not innitially work. I called CS and Comcast sent an agent ($15 charge to me ) and fixed the problem quickly. That was in October. Everything has been working great since.

BoyScout · 03-12-2007, 09:24 PM

All of my problems have been with Comcast not the S3. There are some features I wish the S3 had (MVR, TTG, etc...) but those aren't problems. I experience occasional audio dropouts, but I get those with the Comcast box too so I believe they are coming from Comcast as well. I was told by a Comcast CSR that the TiVo SW would be available any minute now (three weeks ago).

pmeec888 · 03-12-2007, 09:40 PM

I had my S3 since October. No issues with the installation or setting it up. The only problem I had in the beginning was that channels will dissappear sometimes. I called Tivo and their response was they knew of the problem and that there was an update that would address the problem. No problems since the first update. I love the S3!

aaronwt · 03-13-2007, 12:34 AM

All three of my Series 3 boxes are working great. The only problem was getting the right person from Comcast who knew what they were doing and was able to talk to the correct person at the headend to input the correct cable card info. Once that was done everything was fine and has been now for over 2 months.

IHDB · 03-13-2007, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashu

No, OP - it hasn't. It was the best HD DVR in the market in September 2006, and that status is still unchanged.

Not quite - you're right it was and still is the best, but now it has the Kidzone, Recently Deleted folder, TivoCast and Unbox software updates, so I think it is substantially better.

rdrrepair · 03-13-2007, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyts

I've only had mine for two months, but I use it heavily. The cards installed on the first visit both instantly worked and have worked fine ever since. The box froze once (requiring a cold start) since I got it.

This mirrors my experience including the cold restart - just once.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyts

I have to believe that the vast majority of user experience with this is pretty much the same.

Yep, same with me...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyts

Well, I do have one beef, and that has to do with external drive support; I feel a bit the victim of false advertising on that front.

I think TiVo could have done a better job of informing us that the external drive didn't work yet and that MRV was not enabled. Yes, I feel disappointed and a little bit deceived. I do trust the explanations though.

I've seen enough posts that a lot of people feel this way too... And a few also think that it was well know. Sorry, I didn't know. Now, would that have kept me from buying it? No, I bought it for the lifetime transfer and the HD clarity - both I am happy to report went well and the S3 is a very enjoyable luxury!

I would have bought another S3 but the wife wanted nothing to do with a TiVo (For her) that did not do MRV and only recorded 30-300 hours - Her machine records 478+ hrs.

My S3 is a very nice unit and I am happy to have it! One shot install with Time Warner of Newburgh NY - The tech that installed the cards never did one but that didn't keep it from working right the first time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IHDB

Not quite - you're right it was and still is the best, but now it has the Kidzone, Recently Deleted folder, TivoCast and Unbox software updates, so I think it is substantially better.

I love the Unbox - I downloaded 3 shows so far - Not in HD or 5.1 but it works very well. They will improve this with time too!

Squeege96 · 03-13-2007, 07:09 AM

Mike,

I am a Comcast customer here in VA. I picked up an S3 in Jan from the TCS, Comcast came out the next day (which was surprising), and everything went 100% smoothly. The installer said that he had installed CC's in over a dozen S3's, so he was realy confident during the process.

I say go for it. The only downside that I have seen is that I have become a total "Hi-Def" snob -- if it isn't in Hi-Def, I don't watch....

kosherbacon · 03-13-2007, 07:58 AM

I echo the opinions of hornblowercat and mikeyts. Don't judge customer satisfaction by the people who post to these forums. When I was purchasing, I had the same concerns that you express. I posted a customer satisfaction survey (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=330242) and the results were overwhelmingly positive.

My personal experience was a horror show with Comcast, but once I got everything up and running, I have experienced no freezes or bugs that you read about on these forums. I love my S3!

keithaxis · 03-13-2007, 08:41 AM

I would guess youir originall issues were solely due to Comcast and their cable card knowledge or lack there of it...I also live very close to you, up in bonney lake, I have had no issues with s3, only issues wiht the comcast people. But if you get and s3 and go pick up your cable cards then you are just the luck of who you get when you call to activate. If the first person fails you then call back. It took me a few calls to get all working and then a few weeks later one card died adn it took me a few more calls. I got lucky the last call and got my original comcast csr lady who knew her cable card stuff..3 months now and no other issues. The only headache for my s3 was comcast but once you get past that all is well..and as others have said, forums are mostly where people go to complain or vent about their issues.

try again and all will be better, just need a little luck on your sevice call to comcast..

keith

SugarBowl · 03-13-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Granzella

I have had zero issues since I got mine from day 1. (september)

Works great here. I was praising the Passport Echo software, but once you get over the $800 price tag, Tivo is back.

mikeyts · 03-13-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdrrepair

I think TiVo could have done a better job of informing us that the external drive didn't work yet and that MRV was not enabled. Yes, I feel disappointed and a little bit deceived. I do trust the explanations though.

I've seen enough posts that a lot of people feel this way too... And a few also think that it was well know. Sorry, I didn't know. Now, would that have kept me from buying it? No, I bought it for the lifetime transfer and the HD clarity - both I am happy to report went well and the S3 is a very enjoyable luxury!

I dropped my S1 TiVo for a SA8000HD running Passport Echo 5 years ago, then recently moved from that system into a system using SA DVRs running the hideous SARA IPG. I could not continue to use SARA, so buying the TiVo was my only option. I wouldn't have bothered if I could have stayed with Passport.

So, though I have a buddy who moved from here (San Diego) to Santa Clara County to work on TiVo firmware (the dread advertising related features), I wasn't using a TiVo when I bought the S3 and wasn't paying attention to these forums or I would have known about the external drive being disabled. My buddy hadn't used TiVo before taking the job and doesn't own any HDTVs so his awareness of S3 was vague.

I miss some features of Passport Echo: finer control of series recordings, control of the order in which recordings get deleted and a grid guide with numerous visual clues--you can see things that are going to be recorded and any recording conflicts at a glance. Many of the features that TiVo has that Passport doesn't--like Wishlists and Showcases--are completely useless for me. TiVo does have some things that I missed, like the Recording History. On balance, given the potential for useful new things like TiVocast and downloads from sources like Amazon Unbox, I'm happy to have bought the TiVo.

Necro · 03-13-2007, 12:31 PM

I went from Tivo S1 to an additional SA DVR w/Adelphia. UI was terrible and not smart at all. BUT it was very stable.

Got the S3, transferred my lifetime to the S3, kept the S1 on the free year service. At first, it worked ok except for some audio drop outs when watching a channel too long.

Now, the S3 is more tempermental than a red headed step child. It doesn't like three of my HD Channels and sometimes doesn't play them. Signal strength is fine. Also found out that if I'm watching a show in HD and hit fast forward accidentally when I'm already at the end of the buffer, it loses goes to a black screen and says Acquiring signal. All I did was hit fast forward. That shouldn't drop the signal.

As soon as Comcast comes out with their DVR w/Tivo, I'm switching. Unless they get the software bugs worked out first, I'm gone. Will probably sell the S1 too... or just throw it in the garbage.

BL · 03-13-2007, 12:32 PM

My S3 has worked pretty much flawlessly since day one. It is light years ahead of the SA 8300 HD and has completely changed my HD recording for the better.

Don't let the minority of people with issues that post in this forum suggest to you that it is anything less than an outstanding product.

mrmot · 03-13-2007, 02:07 PM

For what it's worth, I'll share a little bit of my experience (not) owning one thus far.

I've been lurking these forums for a while, and watching the s3 troubles from day one, waiting for when I felt comfortable buying one to replace my aging S2 unit.

I would've actually been an early adoptor but I've personally gotten tired of playing that game - I've had a bleeding edge smart phone, television and remote control that all needed some sort of repair.

From everything I've been reading on the s3 forum, things seem to have calmed down quite a bit - the cable companies are finally comfortable with the s3, and many bugs have been fixed via updates.

At this point, I'm days (weeks at the longest) from ordering one. I talked to a comcast customer service rep yesterday and as soon as I mentioned "cablecard" and "tivo", she knew exactly what I was talking about.

So, if I'm not interested in being an early adoptor and the S3 has gotten far enough along for me to finally pick one up, my guess is that since you've already got one you're well prepared at this point to pick up a second

Hope that helps!

beerkensp · 03-19-2007, 04:15 PM

I am a Tivo 3 owner from day one and I have not had a single problem. Once you seen the HD quality you never want to watch SD again.

gwar9999 · 03-19-2007, 06:28 PM

The S3 has been pretty solid for me since say 1 (about 3 months ago). The Cox installer should be promoted to president of the company. I HATE Cox but this guy installed the 2 cards perfectly the first time so he deserves a promotion since he might be the only reason I'm sticking with cable (until Fios comes to town) for now.

I was an S1 user for 6 years and wanted HD, so I balked at the S3 $800 price tag. When I cancelled my S1 account w/ TiVo I couldn't even imagined TiVo staying in business for much longer-- how can they compete w/ the cable provided boxes that do (in THEORY) the same thing?

So with that thought, I leased the SA 8300HD DVR from Cox-- it was the biggest piece of crap I had ever seen:

http://www.phil-schwartz.com/reviews...iatlanta8300hd

Heck, the S1, with it's lack of HD support was superior to the 8300.

Luckilly, after about 2 months of using the 8300, the S3 price dropped by about $150 so I literally couldn't toss my 8300 fast enough. The 8300 was the BEST reason to buy an S3.

Sure, I'd like to see some improvements (TTG, HME SDK updates, channel surfing bug fix, etc) but it's already pretty amazing.