What Will A TiVo Do Without Service?

I'm not sure about #1 (you obviously wouldn't have guide data and couldn't do anything except pause live tv), but #2 is a "no". Networking features simply don't work on unsubbed TiVos.

 

cry in the corner because it can no longer play with its buddies nor record any good shows.

 

Let's clarify that. It should be "under normal circumstances......". Some earlier TiVos (such as my AT&TiVo S2) still work as a manual record unit. Works great to resolve conflicts, albeit in SD.

 

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ok some may not sulk in a corner but go for more of a "slow children at play" approach


** of course this answer can be found in the 12 other threads with the exact same question from this week.

 

The OP specified three Series 3 machines.

These don't work without service.

 

Wait, you're going to reduce a Series 3 to an HD cable box?

Sell it and get a cable box.

 

Well, you could do what I have done for years. I have always subscribed to the lifeline Comcast package for $10/mo. It basically is only the locals, but by law, it also includes the local HD (clear QAM).

 

Well ... I hate to suggest spending MORE money, but if you think you're going to keep the Series3 units for longer than ~3.5 years, then the $300 for a lifetime service might make sense (versus the $7 a month).

More money now, but after the 3.5 years, its "free".

of course, you're increasing your expenses from 21$ to 900$ now, so its a bit of an iffy equation.

Edit:
FYI, I've got a second Series 2 I use the same way, no cable connection, use it to watch video from the main unit hooked to the cable. I've been looking into a Series 3 or HD, once I get an answer on what sort of OTA reception I can get in my area. When I get the replacement unit, I'm trying to save up for a Lifetime so I don't have to worry about monthly expenses, otherwise I feel like I'm getting nickel and dimed by everyone wanting only X$ a month (phone, cable, TiVo, internet, etc, etc, etc)

 

But you'll likely be able to get a significant portion of the lifetime fee back when selling the unit.