Return Series3, get TivoHD?

3448 Views 30 Replies 21 Participants Last post by oldnacl, Jul 26, 2007

chelsel

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2007

I'm within the return period for the Series3. Is it generally advisable to return it for a TivoHD? I paid $600 from Amazon for the Series3. I won't miss the OLED display at all.

Cliff.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

jrm01

· #2 · Jul 24, 2007

Things to consider:

Cost of HD upgrade/expansion
How difficult was the cablecard install, and do you want to go thru that gain?
I for one really like the new backlit remote. Do you? Value?
Are you using Tivo netweork adaptor, or third party? It appears that Tivo HD only supports their branded adaptor.

bdraw

· #3 · Jul 24, 2007

At 600, I think I will still keep the Series3, but it depends on how comfortable you are using eSATA. Right now it isn't supported, but we assume the backdoor will work.

The back-lit remote can be obtained for $50
A larger drive can be obtained for ~$99 (must be comfortable with yet another STB)

b3ar

· #4 · Jul 24, 2007

Alternatively, think of it as you can get an S3 or a THD + a 1TB hard drive.

Bill

davecramer74

· #5 · Jul 24, 2007

id return it if the esata works. your getting essentially the same box for half the price.

lawilson2

· #6 · Jul 24, 2007

I'm not bitter because I was an early adopter at the full price because I understand how tech prices work, but at the same time, I don't see what value the S3 would have to a tech savvy person. I could see if the TivoHD had only 1 tuner or something. But the only significant differences are the remote, hard drive, and the display, so that leaves me a bit dissapointed. I don't see how they can effectively market the S3 anymore at it's current price point.

This new Tivo is definitely a good 2nd machine, provided that they FINALLY have MRV. Either that, or I will buy a Slingcatcher to complement my Slingbox attached to my S3. This way, I can watch my Tivo in my bedroom with this cool device! http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/07/sling-medias-new-slingcatcher/

Mongoos150

· #7 · Jul 24, 2007

jrm01 said:
I for one really like the new backlit remote. Do you? Value?

Buy it from Tivo.com for $49

Leo_N

· #8 · Jul 24, 2007

lawilson2 said:
I'm not bitter because I was an early adopter at the full price because I understand how tech prices work, but at the same time, I don't see what value the S3 would have to a tech savvy person. I could see if the TivoHD had only 1 tuner or something. But the only significant differences are the remote, hard drive, and the display, so that leaves me a bit dissapointed. I don't see how they can effectively market the S3 anymore at it's current price point. [/url]

Totally agree on how are they going to market the S3 at its current price.

Having said that, I have no regrets of paying full price for both of mine last September. I just think if I were in the market now, the new TivoHD would definitely be the way to go. Wouldn't really miss the OLED, and I have to imagine the new TivoHD is just as easy to upgrade the hard drives in, so not much sense in paying for bigger hard drives that are just going to be ripped out anyways. Now, if they started selling the S3 with a 500,750, or 1000 GB hard drive pre-installed they might get some takers!

davecramer74

· #9 · Jul 24, 2007

on second thought, id return the s3 and get 2 tivo hd's.

Dan203

· #10 · Jul 24, 2007

jrm01 said:
How difficult was the cablecard install, and do you want to go thru that gain?

This would be the big question for me. If it was painless and you can get the cable guy back out to install cards in the new unit in a timely manor then I'd say do the exchange. However if it took weeks to get them out there in the first place and a half dozen trips to get the cards working, then I'd say leave well enough alone and stick with the S3.

Dan

TexasGrillChef

· #11 · Jul 24, 2007

Well the S3 has dropped to $600.

Now take the Tivo HD, add $50 for the better remote, add $150 for the OLED display & then add $100 for the upgraded hard drive. and presto you have $600.

Now for some the OLED display isn't of any value to them.

Personally I love the backlit remote, and 20hrs of HD recording for my MAIN Tivo is nowhere near enough. So I would STILL have to upgrade the internal drive or of course add a larger eSATA drive. Still MORE expense.

Thing everyone needs to remember & not forget about it this. Everyone has different needs & different values.

As a second Tivo unit for my bedroom & game room. The 160gb Hard drive is plenty for those rooms. As my main Tivo for my Home Theater room. 160gb isn't even a wet dream.

I love the backlit remotes. So when I order me 2 of the Tivo "lites" I will order the backlit remotes. Anyone want my "Extra" tivo remotes?????

The OLED display is great for the main room. Not needed for the other rooms.

My Advice on getting a S3 or Tivo "lite"????
Its all based on your value, need & desire for the differences & how much those differences are worth to you in terms of $$$$'s

TexasGrillChef

See less See more

VanGoghLikesTivo

· #12 · Jul 25, 2007

I'd return the S3 and use the money for the new HD. It's your call whether its worth the hassle of returning the S3.

Mongoos150

· #13 · Jul 25, 2007

$300 premium for the S3. With the upgraded HDD, remote/display, enabled ESATA port, nicer looking box - it might be worth it. I am having my cable installed Saturday and need a box now. I will unfortunately need to buy the S3 instead of the HD (due to time constraints), but honestly - I was giong to buy the remote at $50 and upgrade the HDD at at least $100, so paying $150 for the premium box isn't a huge deal I suppose.

rodalpho

· #14 · Jul 25, 2007

If someone could confirm that the eSATA works on the tivo HD, definitely return it. Definitely.

megazone

· #15 · Jul 25, 2007

I've been told that the eSATA port does NOT work on the TiVo HD at this time - even Kickstart 62.

jfh3

· #16 · Jul 25, 2007

megazone said:
I've been told that the eSATA port does NOT work on the TiVo HD at this time - even Kickstart 62.

Didn't the kickstart 62 code first appear in 8.3? Since the current THD code is reported to be a fork of 8.1, it doesn't surprise me that eSATA doesn't work now.

But I'll bet it'll "magically" work when the code base converges with that of the S3.

LCD1080

· #17 · Jul 25, 2007

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush especially if the birds in the bush are metaphors for cable cards that require a truck roll to re-pair.

supasta

· #18 · Jul 25, 2007

I would go with the HD.
I am amazed that people are suggesting that you keep the more expensive box just to avoid a $20 CC install fee.

DocNo

· #19 · Jul 25, 2007

supasta said:
I am amazed that people are suggesting that you keep the more expensive box just to avoid a $20 CC install fee.

I notice in your sig you don't list a series 3. If you had gone through a CC install, you would understand what people are talking about.

I just received my cable cards today (after three weeks of wrangling and four failed attempts) but they can't activate them because their systems are down (!!)

So, if all goes well, and if the planets align, by the end of the day I may have working cable cards and HD on my Tivo.

Maybe.

Then again, maybe not.

I wouldn't balk at a CC fee if it was worth it (my S3 was $400 after rebate, so I'm sticking with it, thanks) but the whole CC install thing is what is killer. Once I get it working, I'm never touching them again!

See less See more

gwar9999

· #20 · Jul 25, 2007

lawilson2 said:
I don't see how they can effectively market the S3 anymore at it's current price point.

... **if** TiVo even continues to manufacture them.

In one of the TiVo HD announcements that I read, the TiVo rep didn't confirm whether or not the S3 would still be sold after the current inventory is exhausted. (chances are they would have to drop the S3 price in order to get rid of the current supply let alone build more in order to sell them at $600 since the TiVo HD is reasonably priced and would likely lure nearly all new buyers away from the S3 at $600.)

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.