New user with many questions Premiere / plans

sillyrabbitt123 · 03-22-2010, 08:21 AM

Hi All

I am about to buy tivo premiere and really excited to do so but i have a few questions i need help / reasoning with.

(1) If I am doing the math right if i buy the Premiere and wireless adapter it will cost me say about $359, then 12.95 / month for tivo service plus $2 for the calble card / mo. if i take all this and say i will have the premiere for 3 years it comes to about $25/mo. what i am really getting for that money?

my current dvr is $10/mo but is terrible. its through cable vision and i hate it!
But i am trying to justify the extra cost of $15/mo extra for tivo.

Since for me i am not the biggest tv watcher not sure if its worth it now.

(2) The one thing that might make the extra charge worth it is the ability to move shows to the computer / mobile phone but i am not sure if cable vision puts copy protection on all files. does anyone know if thats the case?

(3) Is there anyway to not lose the on demand service and caller id on the tv screen service if i only use the tivo box and drop the cable vision box?

(4) The qwerty tivo keyboard coming out soon. does anyone know what it might cost?

Thanks for any help or insight!

socrplyr · 03-22-2010, 08:52 AM

1. I view the Tivo as a premium product that provides more than just being the DVR. Whether or not is worth the premium is solely up to you. As for your pricing, I would not pay monthly. I would either pay yearly or get the Product Lifetime Service (lifetime of the box). PLS is cheaper than paying monthly for 3 years, plus leave a lot of residual value in the Tivo. The one drawback to the Tivo is that it is your own equipment and if it breaks, you are SOL. Tivo doesn't charge a ton to fix them for the first 3 years or so, but they could change that policy at any time. They now offer 3 year warranties for $40, which isn't a bad deal if you consider your box to actually cost $700 (box plus PLS). So with the box, PLS, and a cablecard the cost is <$22 a month over 3 years, plus you could sell the box afterward. The wireless adapter does cost extra, but is typically had for $40 or less. Again, whether or not the extra cost is worth it, is up to you.

2. I can't comment on cablevision, but all local channel's programing can be moved for sure. There are both free and pay programs to do this for you.

3. You will lose on demand. Some rent just a cable box (nonDVR) to do this for them, but you seem to be price conscious, so that is probably out. I personally am forced to rent a cable box in addition to the cablecard, but mine is sitting in a closet. I find on demand features so slow with it and I have netflix and utilize amazon on demand, which make up for it for me. Tivo does not support CallerID on TV (I find it a worthless feature, but others love it so...).

4. I don't think it should be too long for the keyboard remote, but i was surprised not to see it completely launched with the Premiere. My guess on MSRP pricing is $100-$120.

sillyrabbitt123 · 03-22-2010, 09:07 AM

WOW thanks for all the informative and great information. i appreciate you taking the time to do so.

it comes down to is it worth it for "me" i got to figure that out. i love tivo in what they are and do i just need to justify it in my head in terms of what i get / lose

thanks again

tiassa · 03-22-2010, 09:15 AM

In addition to what socrplyr said, some cablecos give you a "free" cable box with your subscription. If you only have one TV, you can plug the cable box into one input on your TV and the Tivo into another. This will give you VOD, and the ability to record 2 things and watch a 3rd live, but at the cost of some complexity (you'll have to switch inputs on the TV)

sillyrabbitt123 · 03-22-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiassa

In addition to what socrplyr said, some cablecos give you a "free" cable box with your subscription. If you only have one TV, you can plug the cable box into one input on your TV and the Tivo into another. This will give you VOD, and the ability to record 2 things and watch a 3rd live, but at the cost of some complexity (you'll have to switch inputs on the TV)

thanks for the info! Mine is the worst....

nothing FREE from Cablevision. if they could charge for "free on demand" i am sure they would lol.

thanks though.

flaminiom · 03-22-2010, 10:16 AM

I would look towards what the Tivo offers beyond your cable DVR. More space is a big one. Internet content is another. I suspect the new Tivo platform will become bigger over time with third party content delivery/apps.

I guess too, make sure your cable company does charge for the card. Comcast, for example, gives you the first free, so that will save you a couple bucks. Paying yearly saves you a couple more bucks.

Be prepared to have a lot of patience and jump through hoops to get that card working.

Other than that, like said it is a premium service. Depending on your life style it may be worth it over a DVR.

sillyrabbitt123 · 03-22-2010, 10:18 AM

yes the internet apps is a great feature for sure and the new qwerty to go with it. is what is drawing me in for sure.

just trying to figure out the best way to get all that i want.

thanks for your insight as well.

rlc1 · 03-22-2010, 10:23 AM

This probably doesn't help at all, but personally I wouldn't look at it as spending $25 a month. I know, technically you can look at it that way if you pay $359 for the equipment and then add in the service fee and cable card fee. But why torture yourself? You're spending $359 one time and then another $14.95 a month to enjoy a great service - that's the reality of it. Any other way you choose to divide up the costs in order to justify it is just going to make you want it less.

sillyrabbitt123 · 03-22-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc1

This probably doesn't help at all, but personally I wouldn't look at it as spending $25 a month. I know, technically you can look at it that way if you pay $359 for the equipment and then add in the service fee and cable card fee. But why torture yourself? You're spending $359 one time and then another $14.95 a month to enjoy a great service - that's the reality of it. Any other way you choose to divide up the costs in order to justify it is just going to make you want it less.

i agree 100% i am just nutty a little sometimes. you are right.

its basically 12.95 plus $2 for the cablecard. do i need [one cable card or two] for cablevision? and $6.95 if i want to keep the cablebox.

its like $20 a month like you say.

ZeoTiVo · 03-22-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sillyrabbitt123

i agree 100% i am just nutty a little sometimes. you are right.

its basically 12.95 plus $2 for the cablecard. do i need [one cable card or two] for cablevision? and $6.95 if i want to keep the cablebox.

its like $20 a month like you say.

Why not look at options to not pay a monthly fee like Moxi?

socrplyr · 03-22-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

Why not look at options to not pay a monthly fee like Moxi?

I agree that it is an option, but why not also mention that Tivo has a no monthly fee option as well?

ZeoTiVo · 03-22-2010, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrplyr

I agree that it is an option, but why not also mention that Tivo has a no monthly fee option as well?

umm - because I chose not to.

fatlard · 03-22-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

umm - because I chose not to.

and the cost of the Tivo with lifetime will be higher than a Moxi.

Tivo Premier (2 Tuners)
$299 (purchase Price)
$399 (lifetime cost if you a new Tivo user)
----------------------------------
$698

Moxi 2 Tuner $499
Moxi 3 Tuner $599

steve614 · 03-22-2010, 05:33 PM

Anyone who knows anything about how a Tivo works won't like a Moxi.

fatlard · 03-22-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve614

Anyone who knows anything about how a Tivo works won't like a Moxi.

That is because Tivo will clean your house as well as make dinner for you.

Pay the $100/$200 dollars more for the Tivo. IT IS WORTH IT.

daveak · 03-22-2010, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlard

That is because Tivo will clean your house as well as make dinner for you.

Pay the $100/$200 dollars more for the Tivo. IT IS WORTH IT.

Well, it won't make my dinner, but it gives me more time for dinner.

And I agree that the TiVo is worth more money. The Premier is a much better unit than the Moxi (based on initial reports and specs), and the legacy units are certainly worth looking at - compared to any other DVR out there.

Thing is, depending on your setup and needs, you might spend less with TiVo (or more) depending how you do it for your situation.

Make a list of what you want to do entertainment wise (like what you want to do aside from recording TV content), how many viewing points you need, and how many tuners you would like. Add up the costs. And do not forget THX certification (if that matters to you), HD space available, and ability to upgrade the box yourself. And for those of you with a network, you might want to consider how easy it is to port your media (pics, video, movies, TV programming) to any networked hardware (including to from non-TiVo units) in your house.

ZeoTiVo · 03-22-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlard

That is because Tivo will clean your house as well as make dinner for you.

Pay the $100/$200 dollars more for the Tivo. IT IS WORTH IT.

but I want 3 tuners

fatlard · 03-22-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeoTiVo

but I want 3 tuners

Then save $100/$200 and get a Moxi since has three tuners

ZeoTiVo · 03-22-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlard

Then save $100/$200 and get a Moxi since has three tuners

psst - Dude - I am schilling Moxi now as well

orangeboy · 03-22-2010, 06:56 PM

Quite a little show you guys have going on here...

innocentfreak · 03-22-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlard

Then save $100/$200 and get a Moxi since has three tuners

Well assuming you aren't in a market with Cisco/Scientific Atlanta tuning adapters. Otherwise even if you pay for that third tuner you may not be able to use it.

mattack · 03-22-2010, 09:50 PM

If you get rid of the cable box, you will likely get the first CableCard for free as part of your digital cable subscription. That seems to be typical behavior.

whynot83706 · 03-22-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrplyr

They now offer 3 year warranties for $40, which isn't a bad deal if you consider your box to actually cost $700 (box plus PLS).

Do you purchase warranty when you register with Tivo or thats only if purchased through Tivo.com?

whynot83706 · 03-22-2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlard

That is because Tivo will clean your house as well as make dinner for you.

That must be special edition, I should order one of those

innocentfreak · 03-22-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whynot83706

Do you purchase warranty when you register with Tivo or thats only if purchased through Tivo.com?

I believe you have the option during the first 30 days when you select the plan you want.

socrplyr · 03-23-2010, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innocentfreak

I believe you have the option during the first 30 days when you select the plan you want.

Correct.

mec1991 · 03-23-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangeboy

Quite a little show you guys have going on here...

Has Zeo gone TexasGrillChef on us or am I missing something?

orangeboy · 03-23-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mec1991

Has Zeo gone TexasGrillChef on us or am I missing something?

I have no idea what's going on with that guy. I used to enjoy reading his normally informative and entertaining posts, but he's since been added to my ignore list.

ZeoTiVo · 03-23-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mec1991

Has Zeo gone TexasGrillChef on us or am I missing something?

Just another TCF casualty