[mark.havlek]

Xfinity is our cable/internet provider and everything I have read on these boards says it will be "a few years" before Xfinity stops supporting CableCards.

Yes it will be a few years before Comcast ends support for CableCards, but try and get one today. They are no longer buying them, most offices have none in stock, and they will just tell you they are no longer providing new CableCards. Once they transition to DOCSIS 4.0, all TiVo units will cease to function. Now when that transition happens will vary wildly from area to area, but Comcast came through our area a few weeks back and did all the last mile network transition needed for the upgrade. I am making plans to get off my TiVo and would never consider a new unit.

 

[capilot]

I just received this email from TiVo: "For a limited time, BOLT users can now upgrade to TiVo EDGE for Cable for $99.99 + subscription fees. Take advantage of this amazing upgrade offer to enjoy the next generation of TiVo product and experience apps, live TV and a DVR inside one seamless way to find, watch and enjoy it all. With a 30-day money back guarantee, including free shipping and returns, it's the perfect time to upgrade to EDGE."

With tax and first month subscription ($14.99) the total is $124.23. I have a few questions for the board. Is anyone else familiar with this offer? If so, do you see any indication that a current BOLT device must be sent back to TiVo? When I see the word "Upgrade" I take that to mean I have to send them a used Bolt in order to get the discounted price for the Edge but I am not seeing that verbiage on the offer or at checkout. I'm not sure why they use the term "upgrade" if you can keep an existing Bolt.

With regard to the Edge...I've read some not very favorable comments about its quality on these boards. My intent is to replace an old Premiere with this Edge, assuming the feedback here recommends doing so.

So, bottom line...is this a good deal?

Thanks in advance.

I got my Tivo Bolt Vox in January, after "ditching the dish" (dish network), and dumping TWC (now Specturm) over 7 years ago. I bot my Tivo to "cut the cord". I was, and am so tired of all their games, gimmicks, and constant price increases. Living in the LA area, with my Tivo Bolt, that I swapped out, myself, the 500GB HDD for a 1TB HDD, I get over 100 English speaking stations due to most broadcasters having a HD primary broadcast and 2 - 5, or more "sub-broadcasts", in SD. The only "network" I can't get FREE, OVER the AIR, is MSNBC, as I like the Morning Joe program. So I don't pay a cable or satellite bill ANY MORE, and only pay $5.00 a month for NBC Peacock, that includes my Morning Joe program.

Although the Tivo offer for the Edge ONLY for Cable sounds like a nice deal, I DO NOT want to have to PAY a cable or sattelite bill EVER AGAIN, so a Cable ONLY Tivo Edge does NOT interest me in the least. I thought that in order to get the recordings to play at 30% faster, that I needed to get a Edge, but happily discovered my Bolt Vox, already does that. Additionally, the Tivo Edge, for cable ONLY has TWO tuners, while me Bolt has 4 Over the Air tuners. I am quite content with 4 tuners, the 1TB Hard drive I swapped in, and NEVER paying for TV service EVER again. I did make sure that when I bought my Bolt, that I paid for Lifetime Guide Subscription, as that can definitely cost a lot, each year, otherwise.

I am SO done PAYING for TV, and getting stations that are available in better HD, as they are not "processed" by a cable or satellite provider to "banded" together for better transmission, FREE, Over the Air, than the greedy distributors - cable & satellite providers.

Of course, if you don't live in a major metro area, and are limited in what stations you can pick up, Free, Over the Air, you may NEED a cable or satellite provider, and this might be a good deal. I just hope that at this amazing price, that the offer a reasonable "Lifetime Subscription" and not an ever, ongoing, monthly, or yearly subscription fee.

Even though I bought my Tivo Bolt for Over the Air ONLY, IF Tivo offered the Edge, for $99.00 for Over the Air, AND had the same 4 tuners, AND allowed a ONE TIME, Lifetime Guide Subscription, I would consider "upgrading" to the Edge. Save that happening, I am SO much more than content with my 4 tuner, 1TB, Tivo Bolt. I had heard of Tivo for years, it wasn't until my 3rd price increase with dish, in just over a year, that I had had enough and looked into both the Amazon device (replay, I think it is called), and Tivo. I only wish I had made the switch 5, or more years ago, and saved likely over $1,000 dollars by now.

I am a "happy camper" with my Tivo Bolt, Over the Air, 4 tuner, and upgraded 1TB HDD.

 

[barnabas1969]

Once they transition to DOCSIS 4.0, all TiVo units will cease to function

JFC! I googled "DOCSIS 4.0 cablecard" and I found the following document:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-15-114A1.pdf

Tivo and Hauppauge are the only members of the "FCC Downloadable Security Technical
Advisory Committee" who might be on our side! No mention of SiliconDust nor Ceton.

EDIT: I should note that the cable companies (aka "Cable Labs") have been trying to convince FCC that a "downloadable security module" would be better than the CableCARD for MANY YEARS, but none of the players involved have agreed to a technical standard.

Refer to this link:

Downloadable Security and the Future of CableCARDs

The Downloadable Security Technology Advisory Committee (DSTAC) just released its final Report on August 31, 2015. A large number of companies (including

www.cablelabs.com

 

[barnabas1969]

most offices have none in stock, and they will just tell you they are no longer providing new CableCards

I'm on Spectrum (fka Time Warner Cable/Brighthouse Networks). It's true that they don't have any in their local offices, but they will ship one to you. I just moved to this area in Jan 2022, and it was no problem to get a CableCARD delivered.

I came from the Washington DC area, and when I moved there in 2020, it was the same... Comcast shipped a CableCARD to me because they didn't have them in the local offices.

 

[barnabas1969]

Regarding the 99 dollar deal for a new Edge DVR:

The only advantage I can see about an Edge vs. a Bolt is that the Edge doesn't have the stupid curved case design (really, WTF were they thinking when they made that curved/bent case???).

In every other respect, they are identical. Well... except that the Edge is available with a 2TB drive instead of the max 1TB that came with the Bolt. But... if you search my other posts... you'll see how easy it is to upgrade the Bolt to as much as 16TB.

Use the eSATA port with an external drive (up to 8TB DVR...

I am so glad that I found this method. I bought a Bolt VOX with a 1TB drive. Everything that I found on this site told me that the only way to get 4TB of storage (which is what I want) was to drill a hole in the Bolt and connect an external drive to the internal SATA port on the Bolt. The...

www.tivocommunity.com

 

[Netmouse]

<snip> Additionally, the Tivo Edge, for cable ONLY has TWO tuners, while me Bolt has 4 Over the Air tuners. I am quite content with 4 tuners, the 1TB Hard drive I swapped in <snip>

My Bolt Vox died last month, it lasted just under 3 years. Some people said the Bolts have a hard drive problem (while others have had their box for many years), so I chose to upgrade to the Edge for Cable and am very happy. NOTE: The Edge for Cable has 2TB hard drive and 6 tuners - not what CAPilot says. I was offered a brand new Bolt for $99, but wanted the great discounted deal with an upgrade to the Edge. Easy set-up, no problems at all so far.

 

[Steve]

In every other respect, they are identical. Well... except that the Edge is available with a 2TB drive instead of the max 1TB that came with the Bolt. But... if you search my other posts... you'll see how easy it is to upgrade the Bolt to as much as 16TB.

Not taking sides, but just to set the record straight, here's what Ted Malone (one time TiVo VP) had to say about the differences between the Edge and the Bolt, as reported by Dave Zatz:

"Main differences are faster CPU (BCM 7278), more RAM (4GB vs 3GB on BOLT), USB 3.0, Dolby Vision. Also, we will be able to support Dolby AC4 audio natively, where on BOLT we would have to do this decode on the CPU. […] Air flow is dramatically improved vs. BOLT [yet] it should be much quieter."

 

[Joey Bagadonuts]

My new Edge arrived earlier today as promised. The setup went without issue. And thennnnnnnnnn it was time to activate the CableCard that I moved from the now retired Premiere to the Edge. I tried to do it online but they couldn't find my account and I was instructed to contact a CableCard expert and an 877 number was provided. My call was answered by a female with a heavy accent (Philippines?) who kept calling me Meesta Yo. When I told her I was calling to have a CableCard activated, it was obvious she needed some time to refer to a script so she asked me how my day was, blah blah blah. Long story short, she could not find the reference she was looking for to assist me and I finally asked to talk with a supervisor. Her exact reply: Oh, I so sawwy you want supavyza. Yes, unfortunately, all supavyza busy with a utter stuff now. If I unnastan you cowectly, you need help with a cablecard, that's a c-a-b-l-e c-o-r-d. Eez that cowect meesta yo?" I said "No. I need help activating a cable CARD. That's c-A-r-d. Cable CARD" She actually giggled and said she was sorry for the mistake. I looked at my phone timer and it read 12:26. So for more than 12 minutes this person who is supposed to be a CableCard expert thought I was calling for help with a cable CORD. The good news is, she did ask for all three pieces of required data and my cableCARD was activated within a minute or twh, and I took your advice Diane and said nothing about the card initially being in a different device. So, thank you again for that.

Anyway, all good for now. I've been playing around with it for a few hours and, so far anyway, I'm not seeing any difference in performance between this Edge and either of our Bolts. Thanks again everyone for the great feedback and advice.

 

[OregonRider]

I just received this email from TiVo: "For a limited time, BOLT users can now upgrade to TiVo EDGE for Cable for $99.99 + subscription fees. Take advantage of this amazing upgrade offer to enjoy the next generation of TiVo product and experience apps, live TV and a DVR inside one seamless way to find, watch and enjoy it all. With a 30-day money back guarantee, including free shipping and returns, it's the perfect time to upgrade to EDGE."

The deal I got today:
TiVo Package, All-in service plan $ 299.99
TiVo EDGE $99.00
Total: $ 399.98

 

[celtic pride]

i wish i could get the deal all i get is $399.99 for tivo edge and $99.00 for lifetime service I will call them on monday and see what thy can do for me (21 year customer)

 

[OregonRider]

i wish i could get the deal all i get is $399.99 for tivo edge and $99.00 for lifetime service I will call them on monday and see what thy can do for me (21 year customer)

Yes, do that. The rep asked me if I had a code. I said no. She put me on hold for several minutes & said that a supervisor gave her a code. I don’t know what it was.
Loyalty goes a long way so if necessary say something.

 

[Joey Bagadonuts]

i wish i could get the deal all i get is $399.99 for tivo edge and $99.00 for lifetime service I will call them on monday and see what thy can do for me (21 year customer)

Try this code
717YXAXWJQCI

 

[Joey Bagadonuts]

A couple hiccups in just the three days since I've had the Edge. I can't get it to accept transfers from either of our Bolts (there is a thread in the Edge forum initiated by a user with the same problem and he gave up trying). The shows (10 episodes of Last Man Standing) are showing in the Edge To Do List but are not transferring to My Shows. I've tried x3 thus far without success. Also, I am very displeased with the extremely dim status lights on the front of the Edge. The red "recording" indicator isn't visible unless the device is in a completely pitch black room. Not a huge deal but...

 

[Netmouse]

Try this code
717YXAXWJQCI

Code does not work, says not available. Note to the deal mentioned by OregonRider. You won't get a new Edge for $99 I'd think unless you had a situation like I had. I had a Bolt Vox that died in less than 3 years, and I was offered a new one for $99 (not refurbished, a new one).

 

[OregonRider]

Code does not work, says not available. Note to the deal mentioned by OregonRider. You won't get a new Edge for $99 I'd think unless you had a situation like I had. I had a Bolt Vox that died in less than 3 years, and I was offered a new one for $99 (not refurbished, a new one).

When I called I said that I was responding to the message that had popped up on my Bolt regarding getting an Edge for $99. From there the rep talked about getting a code since I didn't have one...

Note that if you go to tivo.com and see the blue banner at the top "LIMITED TIME OFFER! SUMMER BREEZE is back with savings up to $450 with a new TiVo EDGE. Ends 9/30" and follow the BUY NOW link, then click "TiVo EDGE for cable" it says to use code SUMMER99. This deal was $100 more than I paid when I called. Again, the rep had to find a code that she applied to my purchase to get me the $399 deal.
It's scheduled to arrive on 9/29. I'll post up on what I get and how it works (especially when I try to transfer my stuff from the Bolt to the Edge). I'll post that in an appropriate thread and link to it from here. I don't want to derail this thread.

 

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Code does not work, says not available. Note to the deal mentioned by OregonRider. You won't get a new Edge for $99 I'd think unless you had a situation like I had. I had a Bolt Vox that died in less than 3 years, and I was offered a new one for $99 (not refurbished, a new one).

That was the code I was emailed a week or so ago and it worked for me. Maybe it was specific to my email address. Regardless, I did receive a new Edge for $99. With taxes and the first month subscription fee it was around $120.

 

[Netmouse]

That was the code I was emailed a week or so ago and it worked for me. Maybe it was specific to my email address. Regardless, I did receive a new Edge for $99. With taxes and the first month subscription fee it was around $120.

I got the deal email, and the code is QW68DZFWN00R. They require you pay about $250 no matter what deal is made.

In this promotion, the box is $99 and the annual service plan for me would be $149 annual plan. So total $250. When 2 weeks ago I got just the Edge box upgrade to replace my dead Bolt box, my deal was to pay $250. They gave me a free transfer of my service from the dead Bolt box.

What I found out is that the $99 deal for the Edge requires the purchase of a service plan, they will not transfer the service plan you paid for and have with the Bolt you are upgrading from. So, I guess you have a good Bolt and a good Edge, each with their own plan.

 

[Joey Bagadonuts]

I got the deal email, and the code is QW68DZFWN00R. They require you pay about $250 no matter what deal is made.

In this promotion, the box is $99 and the annual service plan for me would be $149 annual plan. So total $250. When 2 weeks ago I got just the Edge box upgrade to replace my dead Bolt box, my deal was to pay $250. They gave me a free transfer of my service from the dead Bolt box.

What I found out is that the $99 deal for the Edge requires the purchase of a service plan, they will not transfer the service plan you paid for and have with the Bolt you are upgrading from. So, I guess you have a good Bolt and a good Edge, each with their own plan.

You are 80% correct. You are correct bout the specifics of the offer and that I have a good Bolt (actually I have two good Bolts). The 20% you are incorrect about is having a good Edge. In the five days or so I have been trying out the Edge, I have run into a few hiccups. I am returning the edge and have bought a Roamio Plus with a Lifelong membership from an eBay seller.

 

[OregonRider]

When I called I said that I was responding to the message that had popped up on my Bolt regarding getting an Edge for $99. From there the rep talked about getting a code since I didn't have one...

Note that if you go to tivo.com and see the blue banner at the top "LIMITED TIME OFFER! SUMMER BREEZE is back with savings up to $450 with a new TiVo EDGE. Ends 9/30" and follow the BUY NOW link, then click "TiVo EDGE for cable" it says to use code SUMMER99. This deal was $100 more than I paid when I called. Again, the rep had to find a code that she applied to my purchase to get me the $399 deal.
It's scheduled to arrive on 9/29. I'll post up on what I get and how it works (especially when I try to transfer my stuff from the Bolt to the Edge). I'll post that in an appropriate thread and link to it from here. I don't want to derail this thread.

Okay, the new Edge arrived. Here's what's been going on so far: Clicky

 

[johnd01]

So why would anyone want an Edge when they have a good bolt or Roamio?