Unfortunately, you picked the one Tivo that was not designed to work for ota viewing.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Tcd649080 Ota Hd?
Hi,
I'm totally new to TIVO. I've looked online and can't seem to find a straight answer to my question. I hope someone can help. I'm very tech-savvy, so whatever I need to do to make this work, I can figure out.
I just bought a TCD649080 (Series 2 80hr recording) Tivo off Ebay. My roommates and I want to just use OTA to watch shows - we don't want to pay for cable. It's the whole reason we bought the Tivo - to kick cable. But I can't seem to figure out if the TCD649080 can work or not.
Any help on how to make it work is greatly appreciated. I have a Sony Bravia HDTV and no external antenna as of now. Thanks!!
I'm totally new to TIVO. I've looked online and can't seem to find a straight answer to my question. I hope someone can help. I'm very tech-savvy, so whatever I need to do to make this work, I can figure out.
I just bought a TCD649080 (Series 2 80hr recording) Tivo off Ebay. My roommates and I want to just use OTA to watch shows - we don't want to pay for cable. It's the whole reason we bought the Tivo - to kick cable. But I can't seem to figure out if the TCD649080 can work or not.
Any help on how to make it work is greatly appreciated. I have a Sony Bravia HDTV and no external antenna as of now. Thanks!!
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Of course I did...sigh. Okay, do you have suggestions on any of them that would allow us to record OTA in HD that's affordable? If there's one that allows dual recording, that's preferable. Thanks!
The Tivo HD is what you want. The subscription rate for the Tivo service is the same as your 649x. Namely 12.95/mo. It has all the features you are looking for, including dual tuners for ota and cable.Of course I did...sigh. Okay, do you have suggestions on any of them that would allow us to record OTA in HD that's affordable? If there's one that allows dual recording, that's preferable. Thanks!
Ebay prices are low to reasonable, but not the fire sale prices you are seeing for the 649x and other series 1 and 2 units.
I've had my Tivo HD for approx 4 years and am extremely happy with it. I also have the 649x that I used for analog cable. My area just went all digital cable a few months ago, so it has become almost worthless to me. I also have been looking for another Tivo HD to replace the 649. The service for the new Tivo Premiere is too expensive.
If you happen to have any open Blockbuster video stores in your area, check them. Many were liquidating their stock of brand new Tivo HD's at fire sale prices. Sometimes $20.
Check craigslist.com also. You can usually, eventually find one very cheap.
Good luck.
ps: See my next post below.
However,
Maybe you might want to consider the Premiere. There is a promotion going on right now where the new Tivo Premiere when used for OTA reception only has the lowest subscription plan of all, $9.95/mo. This rate will supposedly continue indefinitely, if you buy in now.
Supposedly, you can buy the unit anywhere and get the rate by entering a special promo code at tivo.com when the unit is activated. You can also buy the deal from tivo.com, but you will pay $99.xx for the unit. In my area, I see brand new Premiere units on craigslist for $50. Originally the special email offer from SolidSignal.com , but everyone seems to be able to get it, just by using the promo code.
There is a thread or two somewhere in these forums discussing Premiere OTA promotion.
Something to consider.
Maybe you might want to consider the Premiere. There is a promotion going on right now where the new Tivo Premiere when used for OTA reception only has the lowest subscription plan of all, $9.95/mo. This rate will supposedly continue indefinitely, if you buy in now.
Supposedly, you can buy the unit anywhere and get the rate by entering a special promo code at tivo.com when the unit is activated. You can also buy the deal from tivo.com, but you will pay $99.xx for the unit. In my area, I see brand new Premiere units on craigslist for $50. Originally the special email offer from SolidSignal.com , but everyone seems to be able to get it, just by using the promo code.
There is a thread or two somewhere in these forums discussing Premiere OTA promotion.
Something to consider.
I was able to get the seller to refund my purchase, so I'm going to look at the premiere. I really appreciate your help! Thank you!!
Good that you were able to return your Tivo.I was able to get the seller to refund my purchase, so I'm going to look at the premiere. I really appreciate your help! Thank you!!
If you are considering the Premiere because of the OTA promotional rate, please try to locate the thread(s) discussing the promotion and try to learn all the details, before making a purchase.
I'll try to locate the thread(s) and provide links if you cannot locate it/them.
Good luck.
What you had was the first of the dual tuner (NTSC only) TiVos (ignoring the TiVos made to work as DirecTV receivers) and the last of the Series 2 TiVos.I was able to get the seller to refund my purchase, so I'm going to look at the premiere. I really appreciate your help! Thank you!!
A Series 3 (all of which are dual tuner, but capable of ATSC and NTSC) will probably suit your needs just fine.
The first Series 3 was pretty pricey when new and used ones generally aren't cheap either, but the second one, the HD, shows up on Craigslists around the country fairly regularly for $50.
There was a more expensive version of the HD, the HD XL, which basically just added THX certification and a larger hard drive to the HD at a much larger price.
Of course if you find one for which a lifetime subscription (Product Lifetime Service--the lifetime of the machine, not the owner) has been purchased, they'll probably be asking a good deal more.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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