Better Choice: Premiere or Series 3

3478 Views 35 Replies 16 Participants Last post by lessd, Apr 15, 2011

sptnut

Discussion Starter · Apr 7, 2011

I currently have a Series 2 but I want the ability to record high def so I've been exploring my options. I should first say once I get the new unit, I will cancel my service on my exsisting unit. I also am not interested in paying more then $12.95/mo (lifetime is not an option). Looks like I can get a refub from tivo for $99 then its $12.95/mo. Or according to a tivo rep i talked to today, if I bought a used unit that wasn't a Premiere it would be $12.95/mo also. My question is should I go with a referb Premiere or get a used Series 3unit off ebay. I've heard the Premiere has many issues but a friend of mine has one without any troubles (I help him set his up). I'm not sure which way to go. I do not want to pay $20/mo. That price seem obsured to me, especially since I've had a Tivo since 2003.

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Resist

· #2 · Apr 7, 2011

sptnut said:
I also am not interested in paying more then $12.95/mo (lifetime is not an option).

If you do the math, $12.95/mo will cost you $466.20 for 3 years. This is much more than a lifetime. Your new Tivo should last at least 3 years, most likely it will last much longer.

I have a 2003 Series 2 single tuner that's working just fine. I pay $6.95/mo because I also have a Series 3 purchased in 2007 with lifetime, which is still going strong. In 2009 I bought a Tivo HD Series 3 with a lifetime, it had issues and was replaced by Tivo under warranty, but now works great.

My point is, whatever you decide you have to consider the overall cost and not just the monthly fee. Figure out how long you anticipate keeping the device before upgrading and then do the math. Whatever costs you less for that period is what you should do.

sptnut

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 7, 2011

Resist said:
If you do the math, $12.95/mo will cost you $466.20 for 3 years. This is much more than a lifetime. Your new Tivo should last at least 3 years, most likely it will last much longer.

I understand that, but I do not use credit cards. If I don't have the money for something I don't buy it. I have the money for a unit + the monthly service....not the unit + lifetime.

Resist

· #4 · Apr 7, 2011

I love your financial responsibility!

But I still suggest the lifetime, even if you have to wait a little longer to save up the money. It's less expensive in the long run and makes the Tivo more valuable when you sell it for the next upgrade years down the road.

davezatz

· #5 · Apr 7, 2011

The Premiere is the latest/current platform and will see more updates than the S3. Additionally, it uses less power. On the networking side, it should also be faster.

Chris Gerhard

· #6 · Apr 7, 2011

sptnut said:
I currently have a Series 2 but I want the ability to record high def so I've been exploring my options. I should first say once I get the new unit, I will cancel my service on my exsisting unit. I also am not interested in paying more then $12.95/mo (lifetime is not an option). Looks like I can get a refub from tivo for $99 then its $12.95/mo. Or according to a tivo rep i talked to today, if I bought a used unit that wasn't a Premiere it would be $12.95/mo also. My question is should I go with a referb Premiere or get a used Series 3unit off ebay. I've heard the Premiere has many issues but a friend of mine has one without any troubles (I help him set his up). I'm not sure which way to go. I do not want to pay $20/mo. That price seem obsured to me, especially since I've had a Tivo since 2003.

Of course the $20/month plan is only as a result of the fact the Premiere has to be sold at a loss with the promotion price. It is in effect a way of financing the hardware for users that don't want to pay large up front costs but want a new model, not refurbished or used.

You could consider just buying a used HD TiVo without service and save up for the lifetime purchase. You can watch in HD, use the dual tuners and 30 minute buffer without service while you accumulate the lifetime fee. Monthly service is too much of a nuisance for me and adds no value to the TiVo if you decide to sell it. After 11 years, I have never had anything but lifetime units and have saved a lot compared to any monthly plan. I have a third TiVo HD I am using without service now doing exactly what I suggest except that I already have TiVoHDs on two other HD displays with full capability, so the lack of features isn't difficult to live without on that unit. With the less expensive hardware, used HD TiVos are very inexpensive, and the $13 saved each month and maybe a few dollars from other sources, you should get your lifetime total in a year or two.

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nrc

· #7 · Apr 7, 2011

The only reason that I would recommend that someone go with a Series 3 at this point would be if they don't have high speed broadband, which the Premiere requires.

Overall, experience with refurbed TiVo's has been about typical for refurb products (mostly ok with a few lemons). Right now you can get a refurb TiVo Premiere XL from sellout.woot.com for $199 with a 1 year warranty. It's eligible for $12.95 service. That seems like a much better deal than taking your chances on a used S3.

aaronwt

· #8 · Apr 7, 2011

sptnut said:
I understand that, but I do not use credit cards. If I don't have the money for something I don't buy it. I have the money for a unit + the monthly service....not the unit + lifetime.

Use the credit cards, earn the reward points, and still pay it off every month. You basically get free stuff for buying things your were already going to buy. That's one of the best uses of credit cards. You still pay it off every month so you have no fees involved.

atmuscarella

· #9 · Apr 7, 2011

aaronwt said:
Use the credit cards, earn the reward points, and still pay it off every month. You basically get free stuff for buying things your were already going to buy. That's one of the best uses of credit cards. You still pay it off every month so you have no fees involved.

Yup Discover has paid me over $600 and Master Card over $1100 to use their credit cards and I have never paid them (or any other credit card) one penny of Interest or fees.

Thanks,

DancnDude

· #10 · Apr 7, 2011

There's nothing wrong with the Premiere over the Series 3. The main issue people are complaining about is that the HD user interface is "half-baked". There may be some UI bugs but you could shut off the HD UI and still have what is basically an upgraded S3 using the SD interface. I'd say just get a Premiere.

aaronwt

· #11 · Apr 7, 2011

Especially if you plan on having more than one and will transfer between them or to TiVo Desktop. The Premiere transfer rates are much faster.

trip1eX

· #12 · Apr 7, 2011

Premiere over Series 3.

Premiere has issues, but drop it down to an SD interface and it's a SEries 3 with a few more benefits as I understand it. I don't have a Series 3 though. I have a Premiere.

Issues are mostly in the HD interface and the overall lack of progress TV has made in 5 years.

Chris Gerhard

· #13 · Apr 7, 2011

I don't have a Premiere only TiVoHDs but I would prefer the Premiere as well based on everything I have read. One consideration is reports of an inferior OTA tuner with the Premiere but I don't know whether that is real or whether it would matter to the OP if it is.

sptnut

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 7, 2011

nrc said:
Overall, experience with refurbed TiVo's has been about typical for refurb products (mostly ok with a few lemons). Right now you can get a refurb TiVo Premiere XL from sellout.woot.com for $199 with a 1 year warranty. It's eligible for $12.95 service. That seems like a much better deal than taking your chances on a used S3.

The unit I have right now was a "refurb" and Ive had zero troubles with it. So I have no problems buying one. Thanks for the heads up about the woot offer. Seriously considering getting this.

BTW the regular refurb is no longer available on Tivo's website

rifleman69

· #15 · Apr 7, 2011

nrc said:
The only reason that I would recommend that someone go with a Series 3 at this point would be if they don't have high speed broadband, which the Premiere requires.

Wrong, you don't need high speed broadband to use the Premiere. Try again.

davezatz

· #16 · Apr 7, 2011

rifleman69 said:
Wrong, you don't need high speed broadband to use the Premiere. Try again.

But you'd have to buy a $30 modem (and give up a USB port):
https://www3.tivo.com/store/accessories-networking.do#A00903

rifleman69

· #17 · Apr 7, 2011

davezatz said:
But you'd have to buy a $30 modem (and give up a USB port):
https://www3.tivo.com/store/accessories-networking.do#A00903

Which makes my point even more valid. High speed internet is NOT REQUIRED to use the Premiere box.

HomeUser

· #18 · Apr 7, 2011

What kind of offer do you get using the Upgrade promotion?

https://www3.tivo.com/store/upgrade.do?WT.ac=tivohome_upgrade

sptnut

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 7, 2011

HomeUser said:
What kind of offer do you get using the Upgrade promotion?

https://www3.tivo.com/store/upgrade.do?WT.ac=tivohome_upgrade

$199 - $12.95/mo
$349 - $12.95/mo (XL)

E94Allen

· #20 · Apr 7, 2011

rifleman69 said:
Which makes my point even more valid. High speed internet is NOT REQUIRED to use the Premiere box.

HDUI requires high speed internet if want to use HDUI. SDUI is fine with 30 dollars adapter to use with the landline dial-up.

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