Can someone explain Tivo to me?

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busmaster11

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2000
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WHY is it a subscription service? And why would anyone want to hack it? I mean... Why do you want to pay for a subscription so you can record what you can get already?

If I'm just looking for a cheap DVR solution and know my way around hard drive installations, why would I want Tivo? What does it offer that I don't understand?

Thanks...
 
Q

QurazyQuisp

Platinum Member
Feb 5, 2003
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You pay a subscription for a tv guide. You hack it so you can put a bigger harddrive into it, thus storing more tv.
 
aphex

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
Think of tivo as just a very well done, smart dvr box...

As soon as the series 3 comes out this summer w/ dual HDTV tuners, ill be right back on the tivo bandwagon...
 
minendo

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
It sucks that TiVo no longer offers the lifetime subscription option. Luckily, I got in on it before they stopped offering it. Was going to get another one, but not now that they don't offer the lifetime.
 
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busmaster11

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2000
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Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp
You pay a subscription for a tv guide. You hack it so you can put a bigger harddrive into it, thus storing more tv.
Click to expand...

What if you don't want a TV-guide? Whats the cheapest way to record TV these days?
 
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BornStar

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,052
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Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: BornStar18
Originally posted by: RossMAN
If you can find it, get a Toshiba SD-H400 which offers FREE TIVO BASIC :)
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-...spd/reviews/20031028/toshiba_tivo.html
Click to expand...
I have one but I don't use the Basic.

:eek:
Click to expand...

I cancelled our TiVo series 2 service today (cable HD dual tuner DVR FTW!!!) and they offered to drop my fee to $6.95/mo, it was tempting.
Click to expand...
I've got 3 TiVos and I honestly couldn't see myself giving any of them up. Granted, if I gave up one, it would be the SD-H400 for the obvious reason that I could still use basic. I'll admit I'm seriously considering a new DT box since it'll end up being cheaper than paying for two seperate TiVos. I'll probably end up waiting for Series3 though.
 
Gooberlx2

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
15,381
6
91
Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp
You pay a subscription for a tv guide. You hack it so you can put a bigger harddrive into it, thus storing more tv.
Click to expand...

I haven't played with TIVO in a long time...but I thought its suggested recordings based on what your watching habits were was kind of cool. After using MCE until my TV card fried, I'm now using a dual HDTV DVR box from the Cable co.

works well enough, except that it doesn't automatically switch to the second tuner if you want to navigate away from a program you just decided to record (aka not scheduled)...you have to swap to the second tuner.....dumb.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Originally posted by: minendo
It sucks that TiVo no longer offers the lifetime subscription option. Luckily, I got in on it before they stopped offering it. Was going to get another one, but not now that they don't offer the lifetime.
Click to expand...

Phew, glad I got in on the lifetime offer before they stopped.
 
B

BornStar

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,052
1
0
Originally posted by: busmaster11
Originally posted by: RossMAN
If you can find it, get a Toshiba SD-H400 which offers FREE TIVO BASIC :)
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-...spd/reviews/20031028/toshiba_tivo.html
Click to expand...

OK... So if I get a DVR, do I need to pay a Tivo subscription in order to record to my DVR?


How about this one? Is this one good?

http://search.ebay.com/RS-TX20_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQsatitleZRSQ2dTX20


Thanks...
Click to expand...
With that one you'll get free Basic so you won't need to pay for service. The only problem is that you only get 3 days of programming and you don't get season passes, suggestions or HMO.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,034
441
136
Originally posted by: BornStar18
Originally posted by: busmaster11
Originally posted by: RossMAN
If you can find it, get a Toshiba SD-H400 which offers FREE TIVO BASIC :)
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-...spd/reviews/20031028/toshiba_tivo.html
Click to expand...

OK... So if I get a DVR, do I need to pay a Tivo subscription in order to record to my DVR?


How about this one? Is this one good?

http://search.ebay.com/RS-TX20_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQsatitleZRSQ2dTX20


Thanks...
Click to expand...
With that one you'll get free Basic so you won't need to pay for service. The only problem is that you only get 3 days of programming and you don't get season passes, suggestions or HMO.
Click to expand...

Correct.

Free Basic TiVo
 
N

nsafreak

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2001
7,093
3
81
Originally posted by: minendo
It sucks that TiVo no longer offers the lifetime subscription option. Luckily, I got in on it before they stopped offering it. Was going to get another one, but not now that they don't offer the lifetime.
Click to expand...


You could just buy a used unit with a lifetime subscription since the subscription is tied to the unit itself.
 
N

nsafreak

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2001
7,093
3
81
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: BornStar18
Originally posted by: busmaster11
Originally posted by: RossMAN
If you can find it, get a Toshiba SD-H400 which offers FREE TIVO BASIC :)
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-...spd/reviews/20031028/toshiba_tivo.html
Click to expand...

OK... So if I get a DVR, do I need to pay a Tivo subscription in order to record to my DVR?


How about this one? Is this one good?

http://search.ebay.com/RS-TX20_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQsatitleZRSQ2dTX20


Thanks...
Click to expand...
With that one you'll get free Basic so you won't need to pay for service. The only problem is that you only get 3 days of programming and you don't get season passes, suggestions or HMO.
Click to expand...

Correct.

Free Basic TiVo
Click to expand...


Option number two would be to build a MythTV, Freevo, MediaPortal, or BeyondTV box and forego having to worry about a subscription cost. Higher upfront cost and more time involved in getting these setup but you would save in the monthly fees and have some more versatility.
 
R

Rainsford

Lifer
Apr 25, 2001
17,515
0
0
Originally posted by: nsafreak
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Originally posted by: BornStar18
Originally posted by: busmaster11
Originally posted by: RossMAN
If you can find it, get a Toshiba SD-H400 which offers FREE TIVO BASIC :)
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-...spd/reviews/20031028/toshiba_tivo.html
Click to expand...

OK... So if I get a DVR, do I need to pay a Tivo subscription in order to record to my DVR?


How about this one? Is this one good?

http://search.ebay.com/RS-TX20_W0QQfkrZ1QQfromZR8QQsatitleZRSQ2dTX20


Thanks...
Click to expand...
With that one you'll get free Basic so you won't need to pay for service. The only problem is that you only get 3 days of programming and you don't get season passes, suggestions or HMO.
Click to expand...

Correct.

Free Basic TiVo
Click to expand...


Option number two would be to build a MythTV, Freevo, MediaPortal, or BeyondTV box and forego having to worry about a subscription cost. Higher upfront cost and more time involved in getting these setup but you would save in the monthly fees and have some more versatility.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I love the fact that MythTV can do pretty much every kind of media, it's a good all-in-one solution for me.

Of course the setup can be a royal pain in the ass the first time, but the various guides out there are getting much better.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: busmaster11
Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp
You pay a subscription for a tv guide. You hack it so you can put a bigger harddrive into it, thus storing more tv.
Click to expand...

What if you don't want a TV-guide? Whats the cheapest way to record TV these days?
Click to expand...

VCR and a VHS tape.

Or Tivo Basic (free, but doesn't offer nearly as many features as regular Tivo)
 
C

cmv

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
3,490
0
76
The subscription service is to a feed of program schedule data. The PVR uses the data to schedule recordings and you use it to see what is on and see all the recording details. Otherwise, it's just like a VCR where you set it to record on channel 18 from 9:30pm to 10:00pm on Thursday.
 
N

nsafreak

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2001
7,093
3
81
Originally posted by: cmv
The subscription service is to a feed of program schedule data. The PVR uses the data to schedule recordings and you use it to see what is on and see all the recording details. Otherwise, it's just like a VCR where you set it to record on channel 18 from 9:30pm to 10:00pm on Thursday.
Click to expand...


You're kindof right cmv but Tivos (and other DVRs) are a bit more complex than that recording example you gave since they have name based recording.
 
B

busmaster11

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2000
2,875
0
0
OK... So with any DVR I still have the ability to record without or without paying for a subscription... I just won't have the guide or the scheduling assistance, right?

If so I may go for one of those basic service dvr/dvdr boxes like that toshiba.

thanks guys...
 
Triumph

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
Or can I buy a DVR, and just use my regular Dish or digital cable program guides to see what is on and program accordingly? I guess I lose the option of having the system adjust based on repeats, time changes, etc. Is this correct?
 
G

greys2k

Senior member
Mar 13, 2003
571
0
0
FYI-
replaytv (tivo's competitor) series 50xx w/ commercial skip is the best. w/ that series u can also share/request shows via www.poopli.com. 3rd party software to save shows as mpg via wireless = dvarchive
 
B

busmaster11

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2000
2,875
0
0
OK I just want to ask for the last time... will someone PLEASE answer my question if you can?

If I don't care for the guide or scheduling features of Tivo, do I still need to pay a subscription if all I do is record manually? If so, why?

TIA
 
J

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
Originally posted by: busmaster11
OK I just want to ask for the last time... will someone PLEASE answer my question if you can?

If I don't care for the guide or scheduling features of Tivo, do I still need to pay a subscription if all I do is record manually? If so, why?

TIA
Click to expand...

If you get the device recommended by RossMAN, you will not need to pay a subscription.

Otherwise you will - standalone TiVo boxes do not have the "TiVo Basic" capabilites will not work without a subscription.
 
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