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Is it worth it to get Lifetime on a DRT800?

Discussion in 'DVD TiVo Units (Archive)' started by itsyvonne, Jul 21, 2007.

  1. Jul 21, 2007 #1 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    Jan 17, 2003

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    I just bought a new Humax DRT800 on ebay. I'm just wondering if a lifetime subscription is worth it given the fact that this is already "old technology" for Tivo (now that they are into the Series3 models) and I won't be likely to want to use it much beyond 2 years from now.

    I was thinking of just going with the $8.95/month service w/a 2-year commitment (I have a Series2 TiVo w/a lifetime subscription already).

    Alternatively, I was thinking of going with the $6.95/month service w/a 3-year commitment, but if I do that, I'd want to know that if the Humax bit the dust before then, I could transfer that to a new TiVo (and not have to keep paying for nothing until the end of the 3-year commitment. I couldn't find anything about the rules on this in the fine print of the Payment Plan.

    Thanks in advance for any helpful advice!
     
  2. Jul 21, 2007 #2 of 19
    Chester_Lampwick

    Chester_Lampwick Well-Known Member

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    Not really worth it if you already have one lifetimed unit.
     
  3. Jul 21, 2007 #3 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    Why, because the cost per month is so much lower? Also, would you go w/the 2-year or 3-year commitment?
     
  4. Jul 21, 2007 #4 of 19
    Chester_Lampwick

    Chester_Lampwick Well-Known Member

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    I subbed one unit then pay the $7 a month for my other. 300/7 = 43 months to break even. I may upgrade before that
     
  5. Jul 22, 2007 #5 of 19
    Scott Atkinson

    Scott Atkinson New Member

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    It's funny - I just had to make the same decision myself with a used Humax. Given that digital broadcasting will be the law of the land come February 2009, and it looks to me like all our S2 and S1 Tivos will need cable boxes past that point, I decided against Lifetime.

    I have a lifetime subbed unit, and three other units at $6.95 a month. When I added the fourth, (the Humax) I was able to negotiate with Tivo. I told the customer service rep I wanted the lowest price ($6.95) and a one year contract, and he said yes, without much hesitation.

    So I'd at least try to negotiate.

    Scott A.
     
  6. Jul 22, 2007 #6 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    Chester & Scott - thanks so much for your advice. Scott, I'm especially grateful to know that you can negotiate w/Tivo! I am going to try seeing if I can get 2 years at the $6.95 rate...thank you!!!
     
  7. Jul 22, 2007 #7 of 19
    clem2270

    clem2270 New Member

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    you mean that you don't already have a cable/sat box already?

    Its my understanding that the upcoming Digital law only affects the OTA transmissions; anyone with cable or Sat TV will have to get new converter boxes from their service provider's.
     
  8. Jul 22, 2007 #8 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    I don't have a cable box; just plain old cable going straight into the Tivo.

    Something just occurred to me - what if my Series2 w/the lifetime subscription bites the dust? Will I then have to revert to paying the higher monthly rates on the DRT800?
     
  9. Jul 22, 2007 #9 of 19
    Chester_Lampwick

    Chester_Lampwick Well-Known Member

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    No, there's no need to tell TiVo that that TiVo doesn't work anymore. It still cheaper to keep the box working or not.
     
  10. Jul 22, 2007 #10 of 19
    SullyND

    SullyND L: 31-14 (10-2) TCF Club

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    I saw a pallet of Humax's at Wally world about one month ago. It was very tempting.
     
  11. Jul 22, 2007 #11 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    Ahh...so that's where these eBay sellers got their stash!! :rolleyes:

    :p Duh...thanks. ;)
     
  12. Jul 23, 2007 #12 of 19
    Chester_Lampwick

    Chester_Lampwick Well-Known Member

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    Any idea on pricing?
     
  13. Jul 23, 2007 #13 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    Scott - did you do this recently? I just talked to a rep and she said "no way"... :mad:

    I was going to wait and call tomorrow to see if I had better luck w/a different rep, but I ended up buying the 3-year commitment online and being done with it.
     
  14. Jul 24, 2007 #14 of 19
    WhiskeyTango

    WhiskeyTango New Member

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    Won't Tivo realize when the box doesn't call in for 30 days?
     
  15. Jul 24, 2007 #15 of 19
    Chester_Lampwick

    Chester_Lampwick Well-Known Member

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    I don't know. Does your gym membership become void when you stop going? I have no experience with this hypothetical situation.
     
  16. Jul 24, 2007 #16 of 19
    SullyND

    SullyND L: 31-14 (10-2) TCF Club

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    AFAIK The LT unit has to call in every so often for the MSD to be valid.
     
  17. Jul 25, 2007 #17 of 19
    itsyvonne

    itsyvonne New Member

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    Well, I hope mine will keep soldiering on, then....is there still an option to transfer a lifetime subscription to a series 3 unit?
     
  18. Jul 27, 2007 #18 of 19
    Scott Atkinson

    Scott Atkinson New Member

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    I have three Tivos running on regular ole' analog cable, which requires no box.

    I have one Tivo hooked up to digital cable, which does require a box.

    In '09, all OTA signals will be digital, so anyone wanting to use existing equipment will need a converter.

    Less clear is what the cable co.s will/are doing, but I believe both their own need to reclaim bandwidth and some regulatory requirements will push them to all digital at about the same time.

    s.
     
  19. Jul 29, 2007 #19 of 19
    magnum68

    magnum68 New Member

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    Yes they will know if it doesn't call the tivo service in 30 days.


    magnum68
     

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