TiVo Mini pre-order, review and tips thread

[jmpage2]

This thread can serve as a "Fresh start" for people who have pre-ordered the TiVo Mini, who have a review or impressions to share about the TiVo Mini or want to discuss tips/tricks and user experiences.

[Dan203]

I see links to the Mini on the Products and Shop drop down menus on the main TiVo.com site. Neither link does anything right this second, but the fact that it's listed on their live site seems to indicate that the poster who told us about the March 6th date was right. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll actually launch it today or tomorrow instead.

[MPSAN]

Originally Posted by Dan203

I see links to the Mini on the Products and Shop drop down menus on the main TiVo.com site. Neither link does anything right this second, but the fact that it's listed on their live site seems to indicate that the poster who told us about the March 6th date was right. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll actually launch it today or tomorrow instead.

I hope the offer(s) include a bundle as I need TWO Premiere 4 units as well as 1 MINI!

[Loach]

Originally Posted by MPSAN

I hope the offer(s) include a bundle as I need TWO Premiere 4 units as well as 1 MINI!

That's the problem with these bundles - everybody's idea of a good bundle will be different, so many of us (if not all of us) might be disappointed. I need a Premiere and 2 Minis. Or just 2 minis and wait to buy a 3rd Mini until > 2 are supported per Premiere 4/XL4.

[Arcady]

They will have a bundle. It will be the actual retail price of each unit added together, just like the bundles they have now.

[rainwater]

Originally Posted by Arcady

They will have a bundle. It will be the actual retail price of each unit added together, just like the bundles they have now.

The current bundle saves you over $130 for the Stream, MoCA adapter, and Premiere 4.

[Davelnlr_]

I looked all over Tivo.com and dont see any links. Their chat person said there was no release date available at this time... Hope you guys are more informed than tivo chat. I need to add a third room, and dont want to mess with Comcast adding yet another cablecard. Ive had 0% luck so far getting one paired without a truck roll.

[teklock]

Originally Posted by Loach

That's the problem with these bundles - everybody's idea of a good bundle will be different, so many of us (if not all of us) might be disappointed. I need a Premiere and 2 Minis. Or just 2 minis and wait to buy a 3rd Mini until > 2 are supported per Premiere 4/XL4.

The bundle prices are already there...

http://www3-beta.tivo.com/promo/whol...x_newmini.html

[aaronwt]

Originally Posted by teklock

The bundle prices are already there...

http://www3-beta.tivo.com/promo/whol...x_newmini.html

And those look like they are the same prices if everything is purchased separately.

TiVo Premiere 4 & Mini Bundle $349.98

Premiere 4, Mini & Stream Bundle $479.97

XL4 & Mini Bundle $499.98

XL4, Mini & Stream Bundle $629.97

I guess the prices could change when the page actually goes live.

[DaveDFW]

Originally Posted by Arcady

They will have a bundle. It will be the actual retail price of each unit added together, just like the bundles they have now.

Prescience or cynicism? Either way, you're correct!

[Davelnlr_]

So subtracting, Mini is $99 and lifetime is $150? That is reasonable to save the $9.95 outlet fee from Comcast each month.

[UCLABB]

Originally Posted by aaronwt

And those look like they are the same prices if everything is purchased separately.



I guess the prices could change when the page actually goes live.

I am sorta relieved. I just bought an XL4 from a third party seller. I'd be pissed if TiVo actually had a bundle sale but I suspected they wouldn't. So, I saved $60 plus sales tax off the TiVo price, about $85 total for me.

[UCLABB]

Originally Posted by teklock

The bundle prices are already there...

http://www3-beta.tivo.com/promo/whol...x_newmini.html

Click on Mini pic and you get a box showing a Premiere. Oh well.

[Dan203]

Originally Posted by Davelnlr_

I looked all over Tivo.com and dont see any links.

Looks like they removed them. They were there earlier.

[NotNowChief]

I will be absolutely and positively dumbfounded if I can buy this thing today or tomorrow.

[markp99]

Oopsie, they need a copy editor:



http://www3-beta.tivo.com/promo/whol...x_newmini.html

[Tropic]

Originally Posted by markp99

Oopsie, they need a copy editor:



http://www3-beta.tivo.com/promo/whol...x_newmini.html

They also have the wrong picture of the Tivo/Mini combo for $499.98

[tatergator1]

I don't think anyone should expect discounts on bundles for the several months following the initial release. Prices will be retail for several months because there will always be the first-adopters out there willing to pay top dollar. Discounts come after several months when Tivo is confident all the first-adopters have paid full price, they will then offer modest bundle discounts to try to capture the next segment of buyers who really want the Mini, but wanted to get a "deal."

Personally, it would be nice to have one Mini now, but with a 6-tuner box with Stream somewhere on the horizon (at least we all hope so), and dynamic tuner allocation still to come, I'm gonna wait.

[Time_Lord]

As I see it Tivo has overpriced the Mini and I will not be buying one.

based on the bundle price of a TiVo Premiere 4 & Mini of $349.98, that makes the Mini's cost $100 which in itself isn't too bad HOWEVER the monthly service fee of $6 per month or $150 for the lifetime makes the cost unrealistic.

1) I give up a tuner on my Premier 4
2) instead of paying $6 a month to the cable company for a second box I pay it to TiVO (break even is almost 42 months vs cable company)

And if this actually comes to bear fruit: http://www.dailytech.com/FCC+to+Forc...ticle29357.htm then IMHO the Mini will be dead as far as many customers are concerned. I for one would end up dumping my premier and simply keep my premier 4.

-TL

[jmpage2]

Originally Posted by Time_Lord

As I see it Tivo has overpriced the Mini and I will not be buying one.

based on the bundle price of a TiVo Premiere 4 & Mini of $349.98, that makes the Mini's cost $100 which in itself isn't too bad HOWEVER the monthly service fee of $6 per month or $150 for the lifetime makes the cost unrealistic.

1) I give up a tuner on my Premier 4
2) instead of paying $6 a month to the cable company for a second box I pay it to TiVO (break even is almost 42 months vs cable company)

And if this actually comes to bear fruit: http://www.dailytech.com/FCC+to+Forc...ticle29357.htm then IMHO the Mini will be dead as far as many customers are concerned. I for one would end up dumping my premier and simply keep my premier 4.

-TL

This is not a debate thread. This is not a "is the price fair" thread. This is a pre-order, reviews and tips thread. If you want a thread about the price being too high then please create one, or contribute to the "TiVo Mini Lives" thread.

This thread is already getting big enough without the pre-order being available without it becoming a junk yard for everyone's pre-release gripes.

[MPSAN]

Originally Posted by Loach

That's the problem with these bundles - everybody's idea of a good bundle will be different, so many of us (if not all of us) might be disappointed. I need a Premiere and 2 Minis. Or just 2 minis and wait to buy a 3rd Mini until > 2 are supported per Premiere 4/XL4.

Tivo sent me an email today that the current Bundle expires on 3/11. IF they have a new bundle with a P4 and Mini, and I need 1 Mini and 2 P4's I wonder if we could sell a New never opened Mini?

Also, they may let you put 2 bundles in your cart and then change the Mini to ONE.

[MPSAN]

Originally Posted by markp99

Oopsie, they need a copy editor:



http://www3-beta.tivo.com/promo/whol...x_newmini.html

I sea this kind of think everywhere now!

[Loach]

Originally Posted by MPSAN

Tivo sent me an email today that the current Bundle expires on 3/11. IF they have a new bundle with a P4 and Mini, and I need 1 Mini and 2 P4's I wonder if we could sell a New never opened Mini?

Also, they may let you put 2 bundles in your cart and then change the Mini to ONE.

I'll be a little surprised if there is a discounted bundle involving the Mini at launch, although I suppose it's possible if they want to take the Mini launch as an opportunity to pump up Premiere sales.

[takeagabu]

Originally Posted by Time_Lord

And if this actually comes to bear fruit: http://www.dailytech.com/FCC+to+Forc...ticle29357.htm then IMHO the Mini will be dead as far as many customers are concerned. I for one would end up dumping my premier and simply keep my premier 4.

-TL

The FCC mandates many things and all too often no one pays attention and there is no enforcement

[atmuscarella]

Originally Posted by Loach

I'll be a little surprised if there is a discounted bundle involving the Mini at launch, although I suppose it's possible if they want to take the Mini launch as an opportunity to pump up Premiere sales.

? The only reason for the Mini is to support Premiere sales, now if they offer any discounts right away or not is another matter they may want to start slow to be able to deal with any unknown issues that come up.

[SactoEJ]

My question is this: can 1 Tivo mini participate in a network with two XL4 Tivos as a client of both?

If so, how does it work to switch from one to the other for a) Streaming existing content and b) grabbing a tuner for live TV?

Thanks!
Ed

[Loach]

Originally Posted by atmuscarella

? The only reason for the Mini is to support Premiere sales, now if they offer any discounts right away or not is another matter they may want to start slow to be able to deal with any unknown issues that come up.

I'm sure they'd be happy to sell Minis to existing owners of Premiere 4s and XL4s like me as well.

EDIT: And they might want to work through the demand from owners like me before making a push for new subscribers with discounted bundle packages.

[Loach]

Originally Posted by SactoEJ

My question is this: can 1 Tivo mini participate in a network with two XL4 Tivos as a client of both?

If so, how does it work to switch from one to the other for a) Streaming existing content and b) grabbing a tuner for live TV?

Thanks!
Ed

I believe you'll have to pair your Mini with one P4 or XL4 for purposes of hijacking a tuner for live TV, but you'll also be able to stream recorded content from other Tivos on your network.

[magnus]

Will there not be a discount on service for the Mini if you already have a lifetime Premiere?

[waterchange]

Originally Posted by magnus

Will there not be a discount on service for the Mini if you already have a lifetime Premiere?

Nope.