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Bolt OTA Ordered!

4K views 62 replies 22 participants last post by  ADTDRIVER 
#1 ·
After being without TIVO for quite a few years now, I'm finally ready to return. I've had Verizon FIOS TV service for about 3 years, including their DVR service and it's AWFUL! I will be dropping cable TV altogether and that will be a change, but my wife and I barely watch anything beyond local channels and a handful of shows. For her it's Netflix, and I watch alot of youtube. We've been paying nearly $20 per month in set top box and DVR fees, even though that's all contained in the same unit. There's also a fancier DVR feature that you can get without having to change the set top box. The only problem will be the cost of internet from FIOS by itself will likely be very high. We had that for quite a while before opting for the TV service. My new TIVO should arrive by the weekend I hope. I didn't realize when ordering that I didn't change the default subscription plan from monthly to annual. A quick call to TIVO told me that once I receive the unit, I can call to change my plan. I'm not happy that they require an annual commitment, but I wouldn't dream of cancelling once I get going. Having my suggestions, recommendations, and ability to thumb up and down will wonderful to get back. I have an old TIVO collecting dust, but's it's not capable of receiving digital signals. I picked up a Clear Stream antenna at BJ'S for $40 and hung it on the edge of my living room window. I can get enough channels to satisfy our basic needs. Having the streaming might be nice, but we do have a smart tv and don't use anything beyond Netflix. I didn't spring for expedited shipping, but what's the rush <shrug> I first got TIVO around the late 90's or early 2000's or so, and have been through several units over the years. I also found a discount code on the site "Nextdoor" a neighborhood social networking site. This saved me 20% so score! Without cable TV service, activation should be a breeze. We will be connecting via wifi, as there isn't a router in the same room as the TV. We have only a single set. Looking forward to learning about all the new features, tips, and tricks.
 
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#4 ·
If all you steam is Netflix and YouTube, the Bolt should be able to handle all your TV needs nicely. One box and one remote for everything!

As for the cost of standalone internet, don't be afraid to switch back and forth each year between FiOS and cable (or at least threaten to in order to get better pricing). Competition is a good thing for consumers.
 
#8 ·
I agree about competition being good for consumers. I am a Centurystink customer/captive in a rural area. The provider has a monopoly on internet (and phone) services and I'm at their mercy. We are on Centurystink's "3Mbps to 25Mbps" DSL package....I get 3Mbps, which means I'm subsidizing the 25Mbps customers service. So yes, competition is very good for the consumer...monopoly, not so much. :mad:
 
#6 ·
I hate to say it, but I think it might be better to wait for the Amazon Recast, because they are using Gracenote guide data and there will be more of a selection for apps and the apps will be updated more frequently. You can already get the free Roku channel on the fire tv and amazon is coming out with their own free streaming channel. I certainly wouldn't pay $500 for a Bolt OTA with all in service. I think this is the reason Tivo was offering such good deals on Bolts and Roamios the past couple of years. I paid $500 for a Bolt and a Roamio OTA, both with all in service over the past year.
 
#48 · (Edited)
I got my Bolt OTA up and running tonight. It was very easy, but a little time consuming. Wireless works just fine. The tuner is perfect, and found more channels than my TV had. I was concerned after reading a post here about issues with the TiVo tuner. I’m ready to set up season passes for my wife’s shows and cancel FIOS TV. I saved 20% on the hardware using a code from the NextDoor site. Now I just need to call Tivo and convert my monthly subscription to a year up front. I didn’t notice the option when ordering and it defaults to monthly.
 
#49 ·
I got my Bolt OTA up and running tonight. It was very easy, but a little time consuming. Wireless works just fine. The tuner is perfect, and found more channels than my TV had. I was concerned after reading a post here about issues with the TiVo tuner. I'm ready to set up season passes for my wife's shows and cancel FIOS TV. I saved 20% on the hardware using a code from the NextDoor site. Now I just need to call Tivo and convert my monthly subscription to a year up front. I didn't notice the option when ordering and it defaults to monthly.
With just one TV, you're basically just getting guide data, so wireless is fine. When you add Minis to the mix, you have to hard wire via Ethernet or MoCA. Go with Lifetime- it makes more sense in the long run.
 
#18 ·
Even taking into account ATSC 3.0, you'll still have a 5 year period of 1.0 simulcasting after it rolls out. So I'm thinking our current tuners are still good for at least another 7 years. So the math still makes lifetime a no brainer until 2022. At that point, the bottom will probably drop out of the lifetime OTA Tivo resale market, so better to get out before that happens.
 
#25 ·
As hard as it is to believe, some people don't really care that much about picture quality. I used to walk in on my parents watching an SD channel and took one look and then asked them why they were watching the SD channel instead of the HD channel. They were completely oblivious to the picture quality being terrible.
I have preached that for years. I don't think people realize how many are "just fine" with SD even when they have seen HD. It's night and day for me but not for alot of people. I have to admit I watch some shows that are on SD channels, mostly westerns and some old shows and after awhile I forget it's SD, that is till I switch to an HD channel.
 
#31 ·
I went on the Fedex site and left delivery instructions “leave at front door”. There was no indication of a release,as with UPS, but I figured it was worth a shot. They left my TiVo and I have it now. I’ll probably activate early next week. Then I’ll cancel FIOS TV and save a bunch of money. Now I need to figure out if Hulu is worth it. I can’t tell much about their programming and am not a fan of Netflix
 
#33 ·
I went on the Fedex site and left delivery instructions "leave at front door". There was no indication of a release,as with UPS, but I figured it was worth a shot. They left my TiVo and I have it now. I'll probably activate early next week. Then I'll cancel FIOS TV and save a bunch of money. Now I need to figure out if Hulu is worth it. I can't tell much about their programming and am not a fan of Netflix
Try Hulu for a month, dig deep, there is a lot in there, including a lot of BBC stuff.
 
#39 ·
I just have to ask the OP why they didn’t use a TiVo with Fios? Typically TiVo with lifetime pays for itself over crappy box rental.

I never experienced the Fios dvrs because I switched to TiVo while I was on Comcast. But I remember how bad the old Scientific Atlantic boxes were. Yes you lose the on demand feature with Fios since they don’t have an app, but you could always get just one basic box if you have to have on demand.
 
#41 ·
I just have to ask the OP why they didn't use a TiVo with Fios? Typically TiVo with lifetime pays for itself over crappy box rental.

I never experienced the Fios dvrs because I switched to TiVo while I was on Comcast. But I remember how bad the old Scientific Atlantic boxes were. Yes you lose the on demand feature with Fios since they don't have an app, but you could always get just one basic box if you have to have on demand.
FIOS wants $4.99/month for a cable cars. TiVo sub on a cable capable unit is more than OTA. I/we don't watch all that much, and the least expensive FIOS package would still be over $100/month. No on demand need here either. If we can get local channels, a DVR, and a decent internet connection (happy with it now) we're good. More isn't always better.
 
#54 ·
I just changed my plan to all in. It bugs me that I have to pay state sales tax there, but it's done. Will I keep the Tivo that long? There's no way to tell, but I'm so far ahead of the game having cancelled FIOS TV a few minutes ago. My internet will be $43/month going forward. My "double play" was $145/month. This included a hefty charge for a converter box that also acted as a DVR, yet there were 2 separate and distinct charges for each component. The Tivo Bolt OTA with lifetime service about $490. With a savings of around $100 in FIOS TV I'll recoup that initial outlay quickly.
 
#2 ·
I'm sure that you know your own needs, but do consider, if you haven't already, the possibility of getting an All-In/Lifetime subscription at $250 rather than a monthly or yearly subscription, if you plan on keeping the box and service for a bunch of years. At the price, the break-even point is at 3-1/2 years--any use beyond that is "gravy." The only downsides to All-In service is if you don't use the service for that long or TiVo ceases to be; also, unless the terms have changed, you don't get TiVo "continual care" (a form of extended warranty, albeit with some charge) with All-In, as you do with a monthly or yearly subscription.

My Tivo boxes each have had a Lifetime subscription and it has saved me considerable $.
 
#3 ·
I'm thinking that 3 1/2 years is a long time and who knows what the future holds for the hardware and more. $70 a year is a steal imo. Paying for a lifetime on this unit, along with the initial outlay, is a bit much when I'm trying to stop the bleeding that is a cable TV subscription. I was thinking in terms of break even with initial cost vs monthly cable, but now you've got me thinking. Also I may wind up going back to cable in the future, never say never, and the BOLT OTA would not be compatible there. I could certainly sell the unit with lifetime service. I was attracted to the BOLT OTA for the low subscription cost. The higher costs negate any savings over the cable company DVR, and I'm back where I started. So I guess I need to ponder an annual plan vs lifetime. Thanks again for the advice.
 
#5 ·
Sorry to complicate matters for you. ;)

When I had my first TiVo box many years ago, a Toshiba Series 2, it came with a free, stunted subscription service, "TiVo Basic" (an experiment by TiVo--no Season Pass capability, a 2-day (I think) program guide, etc.), which was great, even with the limitations--no extra charges! In actuality, that's the only reason TiVo got me to buy. It also came with the offer to upgrade to a full subscription service if one wanted. I wasn't going to do so initially, but then TiVo announced that it was eliminating Lifetime subscriptions (which it later brought back, of course) and so I ended up buying Lifetime the last weekend. Because I'm a use-it-'til-it-drops sort of guy, it ended up costing me around $25/year over the years, and so a good investment. :) But even back then, I wondered about it, especially wondering if TiVo would be around to have it pay off.
 
#7 ·
I don't need or want all the latest and greatest apps. I have very simple and limited needs right now. I don't spend alot of time watching TV. That may change, but TIVO's features have been great for me in the past. I'm looking forward to using them again.
 
#10 ·
Since you have not used a Tivo with Netflix, you can add all your Network shows as a season pass or add movies to your Shows list. Searches will also search Netflix.
When did this start (i.e. which model)... becasue I still use Netflix on my Series3-HD unit but the Search Beta (been beta forever?) doesn't even work. So do the Series4 Premieres with Netflix utilize that ability?
 
#24 ·
As hard as it is to believe, some people don't really care that much about picture quality. I used to walk in on my parents watching an SD channel and took one look and then asked them why they were watching the SD channel instead of the HD channel. They were completely oblivious to the picture quality being terrible.
I've seen the same thing. My parents can't seem to comprehend the obvious fact that Comcast's picture is blurry and nasty looking, and has lost all the detail that should be there, and keep paying them for piss-poor cable service with piss-poor equipment.
 
#28 ·
Well I’m wondering when I’ll get my TiVo. FedEx delivery is scheduled for Saturday. It’s unlikely that someone will be available to sign for it. I tried having Fedex hold it using their site, and was unable to do so. They’re saying TiVo won’t allow it and for TiVo to contact them to authorize a change. I called TiVo and rather than doing this, they were trying to change to delivery address to a fedex pickup point, my local Walgreens. I think I got them to stop that, but have no idea what will happen next. I’ve had this kind of thing happen before, but with UPS I’ve been able have my packages held a a UPS hub. I called Fedex and they can’t make any changes without TiVo authorizing. TiVo tells me to contact Fedex and that they, TiVo, don’t do that. I’ll have to see what Fedex does after not receiving a signature at time of delivery. Very frustrating trying to talk to TiVo by phone.
 
#29 ·
Well I'm wondering when I'll get my TiVo. FedEx delivery is scheduled for Saturday. It's unlikely that someone will be available to sign for it. I tried having Fedex hold it using their site, and was unable to do so. They're saying TiVo won't allow it and for TiVo to contact them to authorize a change. I called TiVo and rather than doing this, they were trying to change to delivery address to a fedex pickup point, my local Walgreens. I think I got them to stop that, but have no idea what will happen next. I've had this kind of thing happen before, but with UPS I've been able have my packages held a a UPS hub. I called Fedex and they can't make any changes without TiVo authorizing. TiVo tells me to contact Fedex and that they, TiVo, don't do that. I'll have to see what Fedex does after not receiving a signature at time of delivery. Very frustrating trying to talk to TiVo by phone.
Both FedEX and UPS do this. If the shipper has not allowed any address changes. I've run into it multiple times from FedEx and UPS in the past. In the end I've had devices shipped back and ordered the same item again.

And it's really stupid to not allow pickup from a FedEx or UPS site. That requires the proper ID to pick up the package. It's much safer than leaving a package at the doorstep.

But I've had $5 packages not allow for addresses changes and $2K packages left at the door. In a box that shows exactly what it is. They have always been inconsistent for me.
 
#35 ·
Even taking into account ATSC 3.0, you'll still have a 5 year period of 1.0 simulcasting after it rolls out. So I'm thinking our current tuners are still good for at least another 7 years. So the math still makes lifetime a no brainer until 2022. At that point, the bottom will probably drop out of the lifetime OTA Tivo resale market, so better to get out before that happens.
I think there is a possibility that an ATSC 3.0 to ATSC 1.0 converter could be manufactured. It seems like it would be more cost effective to give such a device away rather than simulcast.
 
#45 ·
Does anyone know if I can use the cable running to my TV to connect to a second router and feed my Tivo and TV with ethernet?
What cable? Where? You cannot mix FiOS and OTA, but if you have Ethernet running to your router, you can disconnect the cable from FiOS entirely and use all your cable for MoCA and OTA. The FiOS router, if it's connected via Ethernet to the ONT, and the cable is NOT connected to the ONT, can be used to provide MoCA on the OTA side, provided that you have a MoCA PoE filter on your antenna.
 
#46 ·
Shaking my head hard in confusion
My FIOS router is in a different room than the TV. I was thinking I could have a second router where the TV is, not needing the coax for TV service and instead connecting it to a router. This would give me a hard wired connection for internet to the TiVo, rather than using WiFi.
 
#51 ·
I meant instead of paying for their equipment for 3 years. I understand wanting to ditch cable and go ota.
I actually don't know anyone around here with a TiVo. No one seems to care what DVR comes with their service as long as it tunes channels and records their shows. The cable company takes care of them so they just swap it out if there is any problem. Comcast includes the X1 with almost all their bundles around here.
 
#55 ·
Wow that is crazy expensive for just the two services. I have the triple play with FiOS and have GigE Internet, home phone, and the Ultimate HD tier. My total cost each month is only around $152. After all taxes, fees, and cable card rentals(two cable cards)

I have a couple of combined OTA antennas mounted outside. And use a Roamio with it but only as a backup to my Bolts on FiOS. For me to go ota only I would end up paying more per month to be able to watch all the shows I currently watch.
 
#56 ·
Wow that is crazy expensive for just the two services. I have the triple play with FiOS and have GigE Internet, home phone, and the Ultimate HD tier. My total cost each month is only around $152. After all taxes, fees, and cable card rentals(two cable cards)

I have a couple of combined OTA antennas mounted outside. And use a Roamio with it but only as a backup to my Bolts on FiOS. For me to go ota only I would end up paying more per month to be able to watch all the shows I currently watch.
I had a very low level programming package, and a very basic DVR function for what I was paying. Taxes and fees are hefty for me. The least expensive package would have been around $115 or so with everything totaled up. Still an awful lot. I wanted only the basic networks, as I've had in the past with the cable companies, in order to avoid going OTA only in this age of digital signals and no more static. I was quite surprised at how well the inexpensive indoor antenna that I bought worked. I simply threw it up on the top corner of my living room window, near the TV, and got acceptable reception on a decent amount of channels. My internet only package gets a major discount, about half of the full rate, with a 2 year agreement and autopay set up. In the past I was paying the nearly $85/month after taxes and fees, for 50/50 internet. That's what pushed me to get the TV service. That internet price started much lower of course, but after my initial 2 years ended I was not offered any additional promotions and kept seeing it rise. I was paying around $15/month to the cable company, not FIOS, for the most basic channels. Between the 2 I was right around $100.
 
#58 ·
...The Tivo Bolt OTA with lifetime service about $490. With a savings of around $100 in FIOS TV I'll recoup that initial outlay quickly.
As my tagline says, we dumped DISH back in January. Our Roamio OTA, Mini Vox, and associated Ethernet gear/HDMI switch/etc., have already been paid for in money saved from not having to pay for the satellite service. Now we are actually saving money, even with the seasonal (college football) subscription to "HULU Live" for ESPN/SEC/etc.,. The problem I have with the cost of the new Bolt OTA is that I was wanting to buy a Roamio OTA for my two daughters, then TIVO discontinued it and came out with a replacement unit that's basically $200 more than I paid for our unit.. There's no savings in it for me and both of them are OTA-only already, they just don't have an OTA-DVR. $1,000 so my daughters can have OTA DVRs??? And no future savings for any of us, just the convenience...I think not.

I'm considering the Recasts, but the jury hasn't even been picked yet for that trial. I ordered two of the CM Stream+ during the $99 introductory deal, but before I opened up either of them I started reading all the problems people were having and decided I didn't want to dump those on my daughters...I shipped them back. I'm still kind of out there on my decision. If TIVO decides to have a big sale with deep discounts I might have to jump on a couple of the Bolt OTAs, but it'll have to be deep. :neutral:
 
#60 ·
The problem I have with the cost of the new Bolt OTA is that I was wanting to buy a Roamio OTA for my two daughters, then TIVO discontinued it and came out with a replacement unit that's basically $200 more than I paid for our unit.. There's no savings in it for me and both of them are OTA-only already, they just don't have an OTA-DVR. $1,000 so my daughters can have OTA DVRs??? And no future savings for any of us, just the convenience...I think not.
Roamio OTA refurb. direct from TiVo via its online store--get them while still available, before supply runs out. $349.99. | TiVo

I purchased one years back (a Roamio OTA refurb. direct from TiVo) and it has worked just fine and, indeed, seemed new out of the box (no scuffs or scratches, all feet pads there, power cord tightly wrapped and appearing as if it never had been unwrapped).
 
#61 ·
I have a refurb Roamio OTA, I replaced the 1TB HDD with a 3TB HDD and it's been great! Looked just as good as new!
 
#62 ·
I got my Bolt OTA up and running tonight. It was very easy, but a little time consuming. Wireless works just fine. The tuner is perfect, and found more channels than my TV had. I was concerned after reading a post here about issues with the TiVo tuner. I'm ready to set up season passes for my wife's shows and cancel FIOS TV. I saved 20% on the hardware using a code from the NextDoor site. Now I just need to call Tivo and convert my monthly subscription to a year up front. I didn't notice the option when ordering and it defaults to monthly.
I'd suggest you just do the lifetime subscription if you can afford it, since it's only $250 for the OTA. A used TiVo with lifetime can always be sold on ebay for a few hundred bucks, but a used TiVo without lifetime service is almost worthless.
 
#63 ·
I did get the lifetime subscription. My FIOS set top box is packed up and ready to be dropped off at UPS. I discovered that my Clearstream antenna with amplifier was not plugged in to an always on power source. I had it connected to a USB port on the TV. I used the included AC power adapter instead. This was causing some shows to fail to record, due to no signal. Luckily I didn't miss any important shows.
 
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