I did the math, and Tivo makes no sense

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I have 2 Lifetime Premiers, 1 Roku, and 3 PS3s. I find OTA and Netflix to be more than enough for me.

Most people only watch 5 channels beyond the basic OTA stations (if even that) and so paying all that money for cable/satellite just does not make sense.

 

That's why I'll never buy another non-lifetime Tivo again. Better to look at it with PLS as a one-time purchase and compare it to the other devices that were one-time purchases. I'll cede the point here that Tivo is expensive compared to a Roku, but it's also doing more than a Roku does. Apples != Oranges.

"Refuses" implies insight into Tivo's decision-making that we don't have. They might simply be too inept to implement it. They are demonstrating a great deal of ineptitude with the still-unfinished HDUI on the Premiere. If they can't get that job done, then what makes anyone think they have the ability to implement streaming?

The DVR model is fine as long as cable television exists. If cable television ceases to exist (which I predict it will), then the DVR becomes irrelevant. It doesn't mean the DVR is bad -- the DVR serves the purpose that it is intended to for as long as that purpose exists. If you no longer have that purpose, then you no longer need the DVR.

I agree with you that to buy a Tivo for streaming would be wasteful. If all you want to do is stream, but a streaming device and save a lot of money.

 

Since most of my shows aren't on itunes that isn't possible. Even if they were I don't have to do the math on paper to see I would be more than my current cost. All you have to do is analyze how much per month your cost would be per show and if it is more than you are paying now it isn't worth it.

I pay $150 per month which covers all 3 of my lifetime TiVos, my internet, FiOS TV, and my phone. My internet and phone bundle would be around $100 a month so say $60 for cable just to have some overlap.

At $60 a month I have to watch less than 60 episodes or less than 15 shows a month to come out a head. I have way more than 15 season passes at any given time. My TiVos are lifetime and I already recouped my cost on those.

Now if I hadn't and had picked up 3 TiVo HDs at $400 each with lifetime, over 3 years this runs you another $34 a month or gives you another 7-8 shows. This brings your total to 23 shows a month. Now even at a discount for a season pass I don't see it being more than 50% of a discount so say it gives you a total of 40 shows a month. You are still less than your season passes.

Of course after those three years you are now spending more than if you had cable.

 

This is my one sticking point too.

 

Hmmm. No Closed Captions is a big reason for me to not go with downloads or streaming, and then there's the need for high-speed Internet, which costs ~$40/month. My Cable bill is about $80/month, and a quick glance at iTunes shows most of the shows I want to be either $1 or $2 (like Mythbusters). At that rate I could only get 2-3 shows per day before Cable starts coming out cheaper, and I'm still stuck with the stupid 24-hour rental period so if I can't finish something in 1 day I have to pay for it again.

I have two TivoHDs with lifetime. Far more flexible than streaming.

 

I'd miss a lot of baseball games. NBA and NHL fans would also miss a lot of games. College basketball fans would miss a lot of games.

Some of us can't get OTA.

Internet charges are likely to go up if you drop video. Extensive use of ITunes might result in charges for going over your cap.

Do I-Tunes or Netflix show closed captioning?

What resolution? What bitrate? Probably a second class picture.

FiOS has an impressive VoD offering. Might reduce the number of DVRs some household require.

 

this and my 45$ cable bill makes this model a non starter for me

 

1 Tivo lifetimed + 17 netflix, free OTA, 33 dsl = my recipe.

 

Ok, I see your problem now, and yes I would want to fix that

 

I watch more than just what is on my season passes.

 

I pay around $80/mo for directv with as many DVRs as I want.

When I had cable, I think I paid $119 for cable phone and Internet. TiVo was about $20/mo for two DVRs.

I think you're doing something wrong.... Maybe you should switch to satellite? Missing all sports, having to wait 24 hours then having to download everything sounds like a huge hassle to me...

 

I wouldn't mind trying a streaming model but the only broadband option in my area is Time Warner and most evenings it slows down so much it's hard enough to watch a flash ad in web site let alone stream video.

 

Cable internet can get bogged down by users in your neighborhood within a certain radius. So, a 20 mb cable internet connect can get to perhaps 2 mbs because your neighbors are surfing the net or with something. heavy usage.

Unlike Cable, DSL is your private internet connection which is not shared with anyone else.

 

I have FiOS also. Triple Play was $119.99, now $124.99 which includes the 25/25, freedom essentials, and Extreme HD. I have 3 CableCARDs at $3.99 each which brings me to around $140-150 a month after taxes and fees. FiOS Double Play is 79.99 for 25/25 and Freedom essentials which comes out to around $95 after taxes, making it $55 for my cable and CableCARDs if I were to drop cable. https://www22.verizon.com/residential/bundles/overview#fios

I am also on my 3rd time of Free HBO/Cinemax in a row since they keep offering it for free online 3 months at a time.

It sounds like you are on an old plan or no longer under contract since 30/30 isn't offered anymore. 20/5 went to 25/15 and then to 25/25 and the various 30 options went to 35/35 and became available as part of the Ultimate bundle since you couldn't bundle it previously. The Ultimate bundle runs $139.99, includes 35/35, Epix(varies per market since some also get or used to get Showtime), Red Zone, and Ultimate HD. It sounds like you need to review your Verizon bill compared to what they currently offer.

I replace mine also, but I am so far ahead since I have always made money selling my lifetime units to upgrade. The only time I didn't was when I foolishly paid monthly which I am still kicking myself over.