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Tivo isnt worth it200$ to buy it, another 300$ for lifetime use, or 13$ a month is just not worth it. By the time its paid for itself it will be outdated and much better stuff will be out. My cable company charges 10$ a month for pretty much the same thing. 50 months of that would equil me paying for the tivo, and i can get a new one for nothing (hopefuly) by then. | |
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 |  JoshNJ
Premium Member
join:2001-12-25
Freehold, NJ
1 edit |
JoshNJ
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 1:55 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itgenerally start at $100 after rebate, not $200 | |
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| |  Logan 5What a long strange trip its been
Premium Member
join:2001-05-25
San Francisco, CA |
Logan 5
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 2:37 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by JoshNJ:
quote:
said by Megladon13:
200$ to buy it
generally start at $100 after rebate, not $200
So, what's the price BEFORE rebate then?? I can get a PVR Box from Comcast added to my Cable Bill for a few $$$ more per month then what I'm already paying and have all the features of a TiVo at a cheaper price. Pricing is what will ultimately make or break a product and when your competition does it better, faster & cheaper then you do, you either swim with the sharks or swim with the fishes... Looks like TiVo's been fitted for their cement shoes...  | |
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Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by Logan 5:said by JoshNJ:
quote:
said by Megladon13:
200$ to buy it
generally start at $100 after rebate, not $200
So, what's the price BEFORE rebate then?? I can get a PVR Box from Comcast added to my Cable Bill for a few $$$ more per month then what I'm already paying and have all the features of a TiVo at a cheaper price.Pricing is what will ultimately make or break a product and when your competition does it better, faster & cheaper then you do, you either swim with the sharks or swim with the fishes... Looks like TiVo's been fitted for their cement shoes... not entirely true. the comcast DVR does not have the ratings feature that will automatically record shows based on ratings you've given a previous show. i have a comcast DVR and i think it's great way to watch TV, but i wish they had that Tivo option. | |
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| | | JoshNJ
Premium Member
join:2001-12-25
Freehold, NJ |
to Logan 5
said by Logan 5:I can get a PVR Box from Comcast added to my Cable Bill for a few $$$ more per month then what I'm already paying and have all the features of a TiVo at a cheaper price. Pricing is what will ultimately make or break a product and when your competition does it better, faster & cheaper then you do a tivo is does more than your comcast dvr does, and a tivo's hardware is much more powerful than any of the cable companies dvr boxes that i have seen (it actually is capable of doing a lot more than it currently does even, it's a basically a cheap computer) tivo in the end is CHEAPER than getting service from a cable company, with tivo you buy the box plus lifetime fee, and that is it, after a couple years the tivo pays itself off, while you will be stuck paying comcast dvr fees for as long as you have the unit there are only 2 reasons to even think about going with a cable company dvr over a tivo, built in dual tuners, and hd , if you don't need either of those tivo is the obvious choice | |
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|  sivranVive Vivaldi
Premium Member
join:2003-09-15
Irving, TX |
to Megladon13
You don't need the subscription  | |
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| |  TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA |
TechyDad
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 3:36 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itI'm pretty sure you do. I looked this up once as I'd love to have a TiVo unit function like a digital VCR. (Tell it what time to start and stop recording and then select which recorded slots to replay.) The consensus that I found was that TiVo Series 1 units could do this, but Series 2 units were glorified doorstops without the service. (Which of course leads to the question of what would happen if TiVo were to go out of business?) | |
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| | |  Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
Thaler
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 3:47 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itDunno, mine shipped with Tivo basic service integrated, though it is a bit more costly than the introductary $100 Tivo they offer. Fortunately though, I get the added benefits of a DVD-R W burner and a 120 GB HD to boot, for the small added investement.
And I use it primarily for that function, a digital VCR. (with TV-Guide built in) The pausing live TV is really nice too, but primarily for show recording/burning. | |
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Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by Thaler:Dunno, mine shipped with Tivo basic service integrated, though it is a bit more costly than the introductary $100 Tivo they offer. Fortunately though, I get the added benefits of a DVD-R W burner and a 120 GB HD to boot, for the small added investement. And I use it primarily for that function, a digital VCR. (with TV-Guide built in) The pausing live TV is really nice too, but primarily for show recording/burning. My brother has that unit and with his satellite service and even cable it changes channels horribly slow. The only reason he has kept it is because he has both cable and dishnetwork so it is better for him to get the stand alone tivo. | |
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| | | | | Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
Thaler
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 4:35 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itYou SURE you're using the same Toshiba unit as mine? I have no problems changing channels - it's just as fast as the TV tuner ever did. | |
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| | Davey78
join:2001-04-20
Jacksonville, FL |
to sivran
Why dont you need a subscription? | |
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| | | Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
Thaler
Premium Member
2005-Feb-24 5:34 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itA hack would be my guess. | |
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to Megladon13
Have you had real Tivo? I've tried both the cable, Tivo Standalone, and currently the DirecTivo. While I agree, from a marketing perspective Tivo is hard to bill as the clear cut winner, having used them and compared them with the Cable company boxes, I'm a Tivo fan for life.
Fixes?
1. Dual Tuner standalone boxes. If they can do it with DirecTivo, why not the standalone? (I use both tuners DAILY)
2. Drop the fee for the Home Media Option, and then expand what it can do.
3. Build the box with an easy HD upgrade option. Sure I can put one in, but I also have a water cooled computer. The average joe isn't going to upgrade....or realize just how nice it is to be able to. | |
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| |  banditws6Shrinking Time and Distance
Premium Member
join:2001-08-18
Frisco, TX |
Re: Tivo isnt worth itI agree with your ideas for fixes. One nice thing is that TiVo recently did remove the fee for the Home Media Option; it is included now, assuming you have your box networked of course. | |
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Re: Tivo isnt worth itWell and I should have added......let DirecTivo users get HMO!!!! | |
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| | | |  barqsdrinkerWhat Can I Photograph Today?
Premium Member
join:2001-02-26
Apo, AE |
Re: Tivo isnt worth itAmen to that, bro!!! Us DTV folks are still stuck with v3 of the software, even..... | |
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Brown2
Anon
2005-Feb-22 3:25 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itYou have to take that one up with Ruppert Murdoch. They didn't license the HMO stuff when they made the DirecTivo. It's really not in TiVo's hands on this issue. They licensed the technology to DirecTV to make their hardware. Just as other manufactures have licensed TiVo's technology, toshiba, pioneer, etc.. | |
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| | | | |  stray
join:2000-01-16
Warren, NJ |
to barqsdrinker
My R10 DirecTivo came with V6.1 software. Folders - Yes!, HMO/MRV - No  Still waiting for the same software to be downloaded to my HDVR2. said by barqsdrinker:Amen to that, bro!!! Us DTV folks are still stuck with v3 of the software, even..... | |
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Re: Tivo isnt worth itI saw mention that some people are using the R10 with v4.x. Any link to instructions on upgrading the R10 would be appreciated. | |
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| | | | |  Jeremy341Bye
Premium Member
join:2000-01-06
localhost |
to barqsdrinker
said by barqsdrinker:Us DTV folks are still stuck with v3 of the software Some of us are running v4 with HMO.  But for those who aren't, 6.2 will be coming soon. Folders! Woo hoo!  | |
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| Logan 5What a long strange trip its been
Premium Member
join:2001-05-25
San Francisco, CA |
to Megladon13
ok, fixes are fine and all, but what about the pricing? Can TiVo really be competitive with the Cable Co's who basically give away a PVR for just a few more $$$ per month then what most customers are already paying?
In otherwords: What can I get from TiVo that's SO compelling that I won't even consider a Cable Co. PVR even though it's cheaper then a TiVo? | |
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Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by Logan 5:Can TiVo really be competitive with the Cable Co's who basically give away a PVR for just a few more $$$ per month then what most customers are already paying? Well but see for us DirecTivo people (those who aren't grandfathered on the FREE Tivo plan) only pay $4.99 a month for the Tivo subscription. And for that we also get the dual tuner/recording option I have yet to see on ANY cable offering. Season Passes (that work) Record first run only / first run and repeats/ all keep at most xxx delete on xx/xx/xxxx dump to VCR (or PC, though analog) wish lists - record by just about anything, such as Actor name, show type, etc. There is a lot the Tivo boxes do better than the generic cable boxes, they just don't advertise them well. And without wanting to get into the cable v satellite argument, all of my RECORDINGS start and end digital. I've not seen any cable co's offering 100% digital TV yet, thus their recorders are still doing an A/D conversion. | |
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| | |  scavio
Premium Member
join:2001-07-14
Melmac |
scavio
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 8:13 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by Camelot One:Season Passes (that work)
Record first run only / first run and repeats/ all
keep at most xxx
delete on xx/xx/xxxx
dump to VCR (or PC, though analog)
wish lists - record by just about anything, such as Actor name, show type, etc.
Actually, my DVR from Time Warner does most of that. My season passes work great, I have the first run only options, etc etc. I can record two shows at once and watch another recorded one. It doesn't delete on a certain date (but after a certain time period) and I never dump to a VCR but suppose I could output to one if I really wanted to. I do want wish lists, but for the $6 a month I pay for it I can deal. Also, when I moved to hi-def, I didn't have to worry about paying for a new box either, they just gave me a new one. | |
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| | | |  Hugh JanusThe Internet O.G.
Premium Member
join:2002-07-10
back nine |
Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by scavio:Also, when I moved to hi-def, I didn't have to worry about paying for a new box either, they just gave me a new one. I just priced a HD Tivo at $900. I love my Tivo but there is no way in hell I'm spending $900 on a piece of hardware that will be useless in a year once DirecTV comes out with their own version of the DVR. | |
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| Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
to Megladon13
TiVo isn't that expensive, if you purchase it smart. I have a Toshiba DVD-Burner Tivo bundle, and it cost me $450 after tax & shipping. Now, considering that other DVD-Burners/DVR combos go for that or more, and mine comes with Tivo basic for free, it just made more sense to pay the little extra up front. For comparison:
Regular Tivo:
$100 regular price + $299 lifetime use = $399 total + tax
My Toshiba:
$450 flat, 3x Hard Drive Space, DVD-Burner, and Tivo service included. | |
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| | jagx
join:2004-05-03
Morris, IL |
jagx
Member
2005-Feb-22 4:17 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itWell i have had a directtivo for over 1 year and just love it.
I subscribed to all channels on directv.
When i called to order my 1st tivo i was able to get $20.00 off per month for 6 months as long as i has the premium subscription not a bad deal.
Now i called them 4 weeks ago and talk to them about giving me 2 more directtivo and sure enough they did all for FREE. And they also gave me the $20.00 off for 6 months again.
So i really cant complain i paid $99.00 for my first tivo and i paid NOTHING for the 2 they just sent me and free install also.By the way the new ones are Samsung 70 hour units
All is good here | |
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| | moonpuppy (banned)
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD |
to Thaler
Tivo Basic (which is what you have) and the regular Tivo service are not the same. One difference is the 3 day guide you have and 14 day guide regular Tivo service has. More differences: » customersupport.tivo.com ··· 1199.htmI have a series 1 unit that I use as a manual DVR and Tivo loves to keep reminding me I have no service. Make it cheaper and people will consider it. $12.99/month?  Also, add the following: -Caller ID on screen option -networking option even if it is nothing more than being able to remotely tell the Tivo to record something you forgot about. (Panasonic sold a VCR that did this over the phone years ago for one year. Didn't catch on because people still can set their VCRs. ) | |
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| | | Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
Thaler
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 5:49 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itOh, I definately believe they could afford to toss in more features, or lessen the prices, by all means. Currently though, especially for my needs, the $399 TiVo introductary unit was nowhere near as good of a deal as the $450 TiVo "Basic" DVD-RW Burner machine.
There are differences, sure, but it does everything I could imaging wanting a TiVo for. I sit down nightly, review what's upcoming, hit record, and watch (or don't) what I recorded last night. I personally feel that the $450 burner was an awesome deal for the value, it's certainly changed the way I watch TV. | |
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Re: Tivo isnt worth itFOr $15 a month I get a HDTV PVR from my cable company | |
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| | | | | Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
Thaler
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 8:53 pm
Re: Tivo isnt worth itsaid by kiantech:FOr $15 a month I get a HDTV PVR from my cable company Heh, hopping my basic Adelphia cable to a digital package would cost that much alone easy, let alone getting a DVR unit. Plus, I highly doubt you get a DVD-Burner and 120 GB, do you? | |
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|  brad_k
join:2004-07-11
Wenatchee, WA |
to Megladon13
Well I don't know for me it has been well worth it I paid 99 bux for my Tivo and 149 for the lifetime and I have upgraded my HD a couple of times when the old one has given up the ghost.
So all said and done my Tivo has cost me $ 350 for the last 5 or so years not too bad.
I just wished that it would do 5.1 but that's another story
Cheers Brad | |
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|  FutureMonDude Whats mine say?
join:2000-10-05
Marina, CA
1 edit |
to Megladon13
I dunno. The Dish network visited my house just yesterday with a "Free TiVo" offer. I didn't answer the door cause I saw the logo on the guys shirt (they left the flyer on my door) but there is still the question about what happens when the company goes out of business...OOooohh Free TiVo that I can't use...lolol
- FM | |
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 DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey |
cablecard ????Maybe they should build a BETTER cablebox with tivo, and use cablecard. I would rather buy my equipment then rent it from the cable company. | |
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 The BeerI Love It When A Plan Comes Together
Premium Member
join:2001-07-24
Lincoln, NE |
The Beer
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 1:55 pm
There is only 1 TivoDVR's are not Tivo.
Tivo users are like Mac users, they will never turn back.
They need to get to the masses to get the cash flowing, not charging an arm and a leg to the people who already have it.
The cable co's would have jumped on board, had the price been right. It was cheaper for them to develop their own product. | |
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| Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA |
Thaler
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 3:32 pm
Re: There is only 1 TivoTrue that DVRs aren't all Tivos. In fact, while testing the waters of DVRs, I had a Sony w/ its own TV-Guide service on it.
The unfortunate thing is, I was missing the pause live TV function of Tivo to the damn thing. Sure, it could record just as well as my new guy, but the live TV control was a real good selling point I couldn't do without. | |
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| tgmct
join:2004-01-13
Moodus, CT |
to The Beer
I agree, but if sales don't turn around the lifetime of of 'lifetime service' may be somewhat sooner than I would like. The bottom line is that they need to be WAY AHEAD of the competition in terms of features. The service update of TivoToGo was really nice but there are much more pressing features needed:
1. At least a month of future programming for those that want (or need) it. The daily update should only reflect changes anyway.
2. Multiple tuner and direct digital decoding options. This could be handled with something like PCMCIA cards.
3. A method to handle schedule changes on an up-to-the-minute basis. How many shows have you lost because a football game went overtime? This could only be a reality with a broadband connection, but it is certainly feasible from a technology standpoint.
4. Give users the options to start a recording a few minutes late or stop them a few minutes early. Tivo scheduling is really being crippled by the games that the networks are playing these days with 9:03 or 9:59 start times. This option would probably require less than an hour of development time to accomplish.
There are many more. Tivo needs to be better in ALL respects than the competition in order to survive. Most of what I have mentioned is nothing new; the users have been requesting this and more for years. Every thing that it can't do is one more reason for a consumer to look at something else instead. So maybe Tivo management should be paying closer attention to their establish customers some more? | |
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 dadkinsCan you do Blu?
MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA |
I think I have it coveredMy laptop IS a PVR/DVR. | |
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 oliphantI Have 8 Boobies
Premium Member
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA |
oliphant
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 2:29 pm
That's what happens...When you raise fees, make people pay steep charges for cool features like HMO, put more and more advertising into the PAY service and then float ideas of putting commercials over fast forwarded commercials. I was a 3 TiVo owner (1 died and had 2 when I cancelled). Now I'm happily with Comcraps updated 2 tuner HD-DVR. The features aren't as extensive as TiVo, but it has series recording which I found most important...but it has 2 things TiVo didn't...$5/mo price tag (Comcrap gets $5 more for HDDVR than their regular HD converter) and 2 tuner HD recording capability. Having working firewire which I routinely use to copy HD programming to HD-DVHS is just another bonus.
TiVo had their chance and got greedy with both consumers and system operators acting like they and ReplayTV were the only games in town when it came to DVR technology. Well Motorola and others have stepped up and after a few horrid first attempts and now putting out decent DVR products with more features for less money.
I'm just glad I wasn't suckered into the $300 lifetime membership. | |
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| Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA |
Ahrenl
Member
2005-Feb-22 3:21 pm
Re: That's what happens...Yep, they completely blew it. My Sister-in-law has Tivo, and its pretty nice. But its still a single-tuner non-HD box, that now lags horribly AND has to be plugged into a phone jack (ver. 1). The fact that I got my Dual-Tuner DVR for $5's a month, just makes me laugh. It will take 100 months for them to pay back their Tivo, I bet the HD dies before then. (or Tivo goes out of business) Regardless I'm sure to have mine upgraded a few times by compcrap as more features come out. All free to me. I would MUCH rather rent my DVR instead of buy it, especially if the rent is going to be so low. If I ever record something I don't want to delete I can always off load it on to my HTPC, which is just a glorified media storage/player now anyway. | |
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 FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ |
FFH5
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 2:34 pm
Tivo is dead meatThey are going down and are not coming back. 
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as I've said in the pastThey'll have to pry my three ReplayTV 5080's out of my cold dead hands... | |
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Re: as I've said in the pastAmen to that !! - the Comercial Advance feature is the best feature period. That alone is worth the $500 bucks (lifetime subscription plus the unit cost.) For you non-replay folks the older replay units automatically skip through the comericials when playing a recorded show. That one feature alone would save TIVO if they had the cahones to stand up to the lawyers (wish replay had ). | |
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Re: as I've said in the pastYeah, the commercial advance has me spoiled, at least until product placement really takes over. I'd say it works 90% of the time. I was saddened that they had to relent - and remove the feature in subsequent models.
I was able to upgrade one unit's HD to 160GB with the help of the Replay hacking project. Also the lifetime service activation goes with the unit and is based on the serial number.
I keep telling friends that these things are considered contraband by the media industry, and should be hoarded while the company that supports it (Digital Networks North America) is still around! | |
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Want to fix TIVO.....maybe a TIVO Exec or two might see this, so here goes...
1. Get rid of stupid restrictions.
2. Allow me to mount the drive as a share over my home lan and access the content stored on board. Since you run on linux it should be fairly easy to allow for multiple mounting options. Then I can transfer the data files on and off at will. Or even record in the living room and play back on my computer.
3. Make the Storage drive user upgradeable in a bay..better yet two bays...put the OS and applications on a small internal drive put the content on drives that I can swap in and out at will...in fact you could ever offer the unit with a bring your own storage package.
4. Restore original pause, fast forward, commercial skipping functionality. Stop kowtowing to the media industry.
5. NEVER EVER comply with the broadcast flag. I realize that you might have to in the face the law, but make the broadcast flag support easily fooled and "leak" the bypass on the net.
6. Here is a big one. Do just software releases, and provide TV listing subscriptions same as always. provide me the software and I will build the box myself the way I want it...this is the true way for you to put yourself back in the back, Sell TIVO as a software package, that I can then adapt to my needs. I have no issue with you keeping whatever you want as binary only release, you can even code it to specific hardware (TV decode/decode cards)...just let me build my own linux box then install your recording playback software eon to it. | |
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| haplo2112 |
[Slightly OffTopic] Related fix reception methodThe way that both cable and SAT are received into the home is so stupid to begin with anyway. If it were fixed (which would probably take government intervention to make companies do it right), TIVO's fortunes would probably be better.
I have long believed that the providers should only have to install one box in my house in the basement where the cable enters the house. That box should decode all the channels that I have contacted for with my provider. Then those signals should be sent to all of the cable outlets in my house. They used to do something similar to this (I lived in an apartment in Marlborough, MA that did this up until 1999) with the channels effectively de-scrambled at the pole. Only the cable entered the apartment and any TV could watch any channel including the premium ones. Alas that ended in early 2000 when they sent us a letter saying would have to get boxes for continued premium service. (Might I add right after we got the box and all was well for a brief time, we also had to 4 day outage when the screwed the whole transition up, that's another story.) | |
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| Jeremy341Bye
Premium Member
join:2000-01-06
localhost |
Re: [Slightly OffTopic] Related fix reception methodsaid by haplo2112:I have long believed that the providers should only have to install one box in my house in the basement where the cable enters the house. That box should decode all the channels that I have contacted for with my provider. Then those signals should be sent to all of the cable outlets in my house. That's great, but you do realize that they'd be restricted to analog channels 2-125, with no IPPV, guide, or interactive services? Come on, receiver boxes provide all kinds of value-added services. They're a necessary evil. | |
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| Jeremy341 |
Good RiddanceTivo has the slowest STBs in existence today. On my DirecTV DVR, when you press the Guide button, it takes a good 3-4 seconds before it fills the guide in. And don't tell me I should use the "Tivo" guide, because I don't like that one. My old standard receivers were much quicker, and had a much nicer interface. Aside from the cool animated backgrounds on the full-screen menus, Tivo's interface is butt-ugly.
The only reason I put up with them is because it's the only integrated DVR solution for DirecTV, for now. I personally can't wait for DirecTV to come out with their new DVRs, so I can kick my Tivos to the curb. | |
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| wierdo
join:2001-02-16
Miami, FL |
wierdo
Member
2005-Feb-25 4:56 pm
Re: Good RiddanceSupposedly, the 6.1 software rolling out soon has some changes to the guide database that speed up both the TiVo guide and the DirecTV guide.
That said, what on earth are you doing watching live TV? I find a grid type guide appropriate for figuring out what to watch now, or perhaps in 30 minutes, but for browsing what's on in the next few days, the TiVo style guide is much better. Far better than that, of course, are wishlists, so the TiVo records everything you're interested in anyway. Strategic use of the "keep at most" setting prevents wide-ranging wishlists from taking up too much of your disk space.
For people who do not like the TiVo way of doing things, preferring to watch television conventionally other DVRs will likely be much more satisfactory. For people who embrace the TiVo way of watching TV, there really is no need for such a gridded guide. The unfortunate aspect, of course, is that when you use the wishlist feature extensively, and use the thumbs up and down buttons appropriately, using a DVR is very much a letdown. TiVo is a PVR, most other similar products are DVRs. There's a reason why TiVo uses that term.
DirecTiVo probably isn't going away as soon as many seem to think, either. Posts on other forums have indicated that DirecTV is seriously considering rolling out a "better" multi-room viewing, which will use the satellite coax to transfer shows between multiple TiVos. Regardless of that occurring, I would be surprised if an MPEG-4 compatible HDTivo isn't in the works. DirecTV has long stated that they will have both the new DVRs and the TiVo for some time. Everything points to the NDS DVR being the cheap or free option going forward, while the TiVo hardware will become the "premium" receiver option.
Whether that ends up working out favorably for TiVo is anybody's guess, although thus far TiVo doesn't seem to have had much trouble getting people to pay small sums for their boxes, although they do seem to have more difficulty enticing people into paying more than $200 for their units. | |
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Cable PVR != TivoThere is no comparison whatsoever between cable PVR's and Tivo. I've used both... been a Tivo user for about 5 years now. Could never use anything else... But, the biggest bang for the buck is DirecTV Tivo (which is what I have). All digital, all the time. It'd be nice to have HMO, etc. but I'm not chomping at the bit for it. I have 3 DTivos (the oldest, a T60 is 120 hrs, which is way more than I need; the other two are 2nd gens). Cable PVR's may only cost a few bucks a month but they cannot compare in function to Tivo. They are only a hard drive based VCR. No real season passes, etc etc etc. The only benefit I see to these is that if it breaks you simply call the local cable folks and tell 'em you need another (which my folks have had to do 3 times in the past year). Sure, Tivo's die (hey, my T60 and the other 1st gens are notorious for heat induced death) but I fix 'em myself. YMMV of course. LONG LIVE TIVO!  | |
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Re: Cable PVR != TivoI'm sorry to say your wrong. I had a tivo for 5 years and switch to comcast dvr. about the only feature it does not have is the thumbs up and down. I'm in washington state so we our dvr's run microsoft foundation. It has season pass's
the menu is so much faster than my old tivo. also no delay when changing channels. With the tivo I was paying 12.95 a month for the service. comcast cost me 15.00 per month.
Have a series 1 30 hr tivo real cheap if you want it.
Tivo needs to have dual tunners. That was always the biggest disapointment with it. | |
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 cbrigante2Wait til Next Year
Premium Member
join:2002-11-22
North Aurora, IL |
T-60I still have an original T-60 running at my house. Original hard drive as well! That guy has got to be at least 4 years old now, I figure my (at the time $200) lifetime fee has paid for itself by now. My only beef with the unit is it is LOUD. | |
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 AreSee
join:2000-09-20
Atlanta, GA |
AreSee
Member
2005-Feb-22 5:03 pm
But I already have those optionsquote:
1. Get rid of stupid restrictions.
2. Allow me to mount the drive as a share over my home lan and access the content stored on board. Since you run on linux it should be fairly easy to allow for multiple mounting options. Then I can transfer the data files on and off at will. Or even record in the living room and play back on my computer.
3. Make the Storage drive user upgradeable in a bay..better yet two bays...put the OS and applications on a small internal drive put the content on drives that I can swap in and out at will...in fact you could ever offer the unit with a bring your own storage package.
4. Restore original pause, fast forward, commercial skipping functionality. Stop kowtowing to the media industry.
5. NEVER EVER comply with the broadcast flag. I realize that you might have to in the face the law, but make the broadcast flag support easily fooled and "leak" the bypass on the net.
6. Here is a big one. Do just software releases, and provide TV listing subscriptions same as always. provide me the software and I will build the box myself the way I want it...this is the true way for you to put yourself back in the back, Sell TIVO as a software package, that I can then adapt to my needs. I have no issue with you keeping whatever you want as binary only release, you can even code it to specific hardware (TV decode/decode cards)...just let me build my own linux box then install your recording playback software eon to it.quote:
quote:
1. Dual Tuner standalone boxes. If they can do it with DirecTivo, why not the standalone? (I use both tuners DAILY)
2. Drop the fee for the Home Media Option, and then expand what it can do.
3. Build the box with an easy HD upgrade option. Sure I can put one in, but I also have a water cooled computer. The average joe isn't going to upgrade....or realize just how nice it is to be able to.
I have all these features/benefits with my home built HTPC based on MCE. (except for the removable bay option). Additionally, I play almost all my PC games on my TV. | |
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 NightfallMy Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI |
The way I see itI have had Directv with Tivo for over a year and a half now, and in that time I have come to love Tivo. I have seen the DVRs that come out on Dish Network and Comcast, and they are nothing compared to the Tivo.
Take name based recordings for instance. My Tivo has it. Dish and Comcast don't. Which means I don't have to worry about a special time that a program has, or times when the program changes a time slot. I just tell it to record and then sit back and let Tivo do the rest.
The price on my Directivo is VERY affordable. I got 2 Tivos for free when I got my dish installed. I can get another one for $50 or less right now. Monthly cost is only $5 and that covers every Tivo in the house.
Now, if I had a standalone model, I wouldn't like it to much. Right now, my Directivo can record anything on any channel without the use of an IR blaster. It is just a pain in the ass setting something up to interface with a proprietary cable or dish system. That is where Tivo is failing in my opinion, because a lot of other people don't like that either! The reason why Tivo is such a great thing on Directv is because of the ease of use and interoperability with their current system.
I am as dedicated to Tivo as I am my computer. My love for the system goes out the door when something better comes out. I am really looking forward to the Directv branded DVR that is coming out later this year. | |
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 pike
Premium Member
join:2001-02-01
Washington, DC |
pike
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 5:23 pm
Who could have seen this coming?Discussed 8 months ago in another related news article.. » RIP TiVo-Mike | |
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|  Rhobite
Premium Member
join:2002-02-24
Waltham, MA |
Rhobite
Premium Member
2005-Feb-22 6:31 pm
Re: Who could have seen this coming?said by pike:Discussed 8 months ago in another related news article.. » RIP TiVo-Mike Is that bragging? Your predictions haven't come true yet... | |
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schillit1
Anon
2005-Feb-22 8:10 pm
Tivoanything but dual tuner tivo is sh#$, and everybody knows it. Dish pvr blows as does comcast. I agree with the comments above that it should sell as a software package, similar to like an antivirus program where you get periodic updates and you pay for the service. It should all be networked and updateable, for free, via the web to every users TiVo, it is no cost to them to allow it, so they should build that into every box. | |
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Parent's seem to like TiVoMy parents just recently bought Tivo from costco for 100 bucks with the rebate and then paid 300 for the life time subscription. A few weeks before this they were notified by our cable company that sometime in 2005 that they will offer DVR service. I told them but they didn't seem to care. DVR from our cable company for just a few bucks more!!! Another dumb thing is that my step dad now wants to burn his tivo things to DVD. He should have just got a tivo from panasonic/sony with built in dvd-burner. Now I'm going to have to set it up through the network and mess with it to burn with my pc.
I think TiVo is dead. Cable/Dish companies are offering DVR service for cheaper.
BTW, how are the cable/dish DVR services? TiVo has a good menu and a lot of neat options, like remote scheduling and you can hook it up to your network etc.
Thanks! | |
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 viofam
Premium Member
join:2001-07-17
Clarksville, TN |
viofam
Premium Member
2005-Feb-23 12:01 am
gimme back the onscreen caller ID functionDirecTV has been nearly flawless since we upgraded to the second gen unit years ago.
Bought a Hughes DirecTV + Tivo unit and a few months ago and discovered no current receivers have on-screen caller ID funsction or keep up with who's called since we last checked "fetch" like our old faithful.
Boxed it up and took it back for the refund.
When the onscreen caller ID returns, I may consider it.
Small features, but essential. Have we lost 20th century technology? | |
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Tivo_user
Anon
2005-Feb-23 12:34 am
tivo user for lifeA few months back, a cable guy came to my door ( I had Directv tivo at the time) He offered me digital cable w/DVR included for $25 total a month (with taxes) I said ok. 2 weeks later, I called and cancelled it. Once youve used tivo, you dont want to go back to the crappy cable company PVR's. Beleive me, I thought I was getting a deal, but the picture and features of the PVR was horrible. I thought I had to adjust my antenna or something because it was GRAINY. Plus that feature tivo has built in that takes you back 1 second when your forwarding and then hit play makes a big difference. | |
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sparks
join:2001-07-08
Little Rock, AR 108.4 11.9
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sparks
Member
2005-Feb-24 9:03 am
direct tv tivo is not that goodI have a directtv unit and most of the features such as the usb ports are disabled, I am sure that is DTV not wanting you to use anything. S L O W guides..I MEAN SLOW
I try to scroll down the thing goes blank and slowly fills in...its S L O W....let me check did I say slow...this is junk in my opinion..takes minutes to find anything on the guide.
BUT wild card searches are great. MOST won't do this but tivo does.
the ratings buttons in my opinion are a joke.
but thats just me.
oh yea people are saying hd updates, well the new usb externals that direct tv was supposed to support, I did mention the blocked usb ports didn't I ?
I think that direct has blocked any expansion of tivo on their systems so they will bring out their own junk and charge out the butt and it will have some of the features that tivo has now. IF direct tivo was full tivo it would be better, but those guides they have to fix.
sparks | |
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|  djdanskaRudie32
Premium Member
join:2001-04-21
San Diego, CA |
djdanska
Premium Member
2005-Feb-26 1:04 am
Re: direct tv tivo is not that goodsaid by sparks:I have a directtv unit and most of the features such as the usb ports are disabled, I am sure that is DTV not wanting you to use anything. S L O W guides..I MEAN SLOW I try to scroll down the thing goes blank and slowly fills in...its S L O W....let me check did I say slow...this is junk in my opinion..takes minutes to find anything on the guide. BUT wild card searches are great. MOST won't do this but tivo does. the ratings buttons in my opinion are a joke. but thats just me. oh yea people are saying hd updates, well the new usb externals that direct tv was supposed to support, I did mention the blocked usb ports didn't I ? I think that direct has blocked any expansion of tivo on their systems so they will bring out their own junk and charge out the butt and it will have some of the features that tivo has now. IF direct tivo was full tivo it would be better, but those guides they have to fix. sparks The new 6.2 software should fix the slow guides. As for the usb ports, i put 4.0 and solved that problem. | |
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