New dual tuner TiVo $254 for unit and 1 year service

[allisolm]

TiVo is releasing a new series 2 80hr unit with 2 tuners so you can record 2 programs at once. It also has built-in ethernet. Available May 1 (or earlier for those who got an email about it.) $254 gets you the unit and 1 year of subscription which makes the unit itself $99.

Picture of the email.

You can read all about it at tivocommunity.com also here.

edit: Circuit City info added in new post down below.

 

[Richardito]

This is not a hot deal, it is just a "new" product. Its use is limited because this is only good for people with analog cable. No use for people with digital cable or satellite. A much better deal (if you have DirecTV) is the dual tunner Dtv TiVos (which have been around forever...) that can be had for around $50 and up. Also you only have to pay $5.99 for the service vs. the ~$15-20 TiVo is now charging.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Richardito
This is not a hot deal, it is just a "new" product. Its use is limited because this is only good for people with analog cable. No use for people with digital cable or satellite. A much better deal (if you have DirecTV) is the dual tunner Dtv TiVos (which have been around forever...) that can be had for around $50 and up. Also you only have to pay $5.99 for the service vs. the ~$15-20 TiVo is now charging.

It can record one analog and one digital channel at once.

Cost for this unit is $12.95 per month paid in advance for one year. Cost per month for the 2 series 2 units I have is $12.95 and $6.95.

 

[TwiceOver]

Sounds like a good deal for me anyway. A year of service alone is around $150 so another $100 for a dual tuner box with built in ethernet... Can't go wrong there. So will this box also support the HMO apps and TiVoToBlow?

AHH... What I take from the add is that this is if you have another box... So this is in addition to your current box. Good deal though. Bring the price of my current box service down to $7... Not too bad.

 

[allisolm]

What I take from the add is that this is if you have another box...

Not really. They just sent the email to existing customers so all of us already have at least one unit. The only way you can buy it until May 1 is through TiVo as a bundle deal - unit plus one year subscription for $254.

" Exclusive TiVo service features will be available on the TiVo Series2 DT DVR including:

* TiVoToGo? Transfers: Take your favorite shows with you on the road by transferring them to a laptop or select portable players.
* TiVo Online Scheduling: Schedule recordings from the office or on the road from anywhere you can access the Internet.
* TiVo Online Services: Broadband connected Series2 subscribers can view both their own photo slideshows and those shared by friends with Yahoo! Photos, and check local weather and traffic from Yahoo!. Additionally, subscribers can browse and buy movie tickets from Fandango, discover new music on Live365, and listen to entertaining podcasts.
* Coming Soon: TiVo continually updates the TiVo service with new features and capabilities. In the coming months, TiVo users will be able to program their TiVo box to record programs directly from select Verizon cell phones. And by mid-year, users will welcome TiVo KidZone into their home. TiVo KidZone will give parents the power to easily make sure that the television programming their children watch meets their personal family standards.

The TiVo Series2 DT DVR will be available beginning May 1, 2006 at retailers including Circuit City , Best Buy, and Amazon.com, and online at www.tivo.com. "

 

[codeyf]

I got the email last night. Looks interesting.

 

[Fritzo]

Wow...now I can watch two shows in crappy quality on my HDTV :|

Cmon Tivo...out with the HD recorder already!!!

 

[Richardito]

Originally posted by: allisolm

Originally posted by: Richardito
This is not a hot deal, it is just a "new" product. Its use is limited because this is only good for people with analog cable. No use for people with digital cable or satellite. A much better deal (if you have DirecTV) is the dual tunner Dtv TiVos (which have been around forever...) that can be had for around $50 and up. Also you only have to pay $5.99 for the service vs. the ~$15-20 TiVo is now charging.

It can record one analog and one digital channel at once.

Cost for this unit is $12.95 per month paid in advance for one year. Cost per month for the 2 series 2 units I have is $12.95 and $6.95.

Of course you can use spliters and you can record as many analog channels at once as you want. Plug 20 TiVos and record 20 channels. But the point is that it is limited in recording ability with digital cable and satellite service users. My DirecTV TiVo has no such draw backs. You are paying the lower monthly amount because you had TiVo before they re-structured their pricing. The pricing now is:

Monthly Plans Offer details

$16.95 per month
with 3-year plan

$18.95 per month
with 2-year plan

$19.95 per month
with 1-year plan

So I wasn't that off in my estimation earlier. I'm an expert in TiVos and I actually sell a lot of Dtv TiVos in eBay at a rate of ~$1,500 worth off every month. This product is no great breakthru and useless for most people out there. TiVo has to get their head on straight and release the HD TiVo with the twin Cable Card capability. Now THAT would be a product...

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Wow...now I can watch two shows in crappy quality on my HDTV :|

Cmon Tivo...out with the HD recorder already!!!

:laugh:

I agree with you on that. I use OTA for HD, and since doing so, I pretty much make it a point to watch all the shows that broadcast in HD even though my Tivo is set to record it (24, The Unit, CSI: Miami, and Desperate Housewives with the Mrs).

Only reason I have the Tivo these days is for the sunda nights the wife has to work so she can watch DH later, and I have about 20 episodes of Magnum PI saved on there from when Lifetime then Hallmark channels played the reruns.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Richardito

Originally posted by: allisolm

Originally posted by: Richardito
This is not a hot deal, it is just a "new" product. Its use is limited because this is only good for people with analog cable. No use for people with digital cable or satellite. A much better deal (if you have DirecTV) is the dual tunner Dtv TiVos (which have been around forever...) that can be had for around $50 and up. Also you only have to pay $5.99 for the service vs. the ~$15-20 TiVo is now charging.

It can record one analog and one digital channel at once.

Cost for this unit is $12.95 per month paid in advance for one year. Cost per month for the 2 series 2 units I have is $12.95 and $6.95.

Of course you can use spliters and you can record as many analog channels at once as you want. Plug 20 TiVos and record 20 channels. But the point is that it is limited in recording ability with digital cable and satellite service users. My DirecTV TiVo has no such draw backs. You are paying the lower monthly amount because you had TiVo before they re-structured their pricing. The pricing now is:

Monthly Plans Offer details

$16.95 per month
with 3-year plan

$18.95 per month
with 2-year plan

$19.95 per month
with 1-year plan

So I wasn't that off in my estimation earlier. I'm an expert in TiVos and I actually sell a lot of Dtv TiVos in eBay at a rate of ~$1,500 worth off every month. This product is no great breakthru and useless for most people out there. TiVo has to get their head on straight and release the HD TiVo with the twin Cable Card capability. Now THAT would be a product...

Those pricing plans apply only when you get the box and service package. You don't pay anything for the box initally and at the end of that 1,2 or 3 years you own the box and you can then continue to subscribe for $12.95 a month. If you currently buy a box from a retailer such as Best Buy, you pay $12.95 a month(or $6.95 if it's a second unit.) If you buy a refurbished unit here at TiVo.com you pay $12.95 a month ($155.40). If you purchase this new unit from a retailer after May 1 I believe you will pay $12.95 a month for service.

 

[Jel2h]

TiVo offering any kind of trade in deals for customers with existing TiVo boxes that want to upgrade to one of these?

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Jel2h
TiVo offering any kind of trade in deals for customers with existing TiVo boxes that want to upgrade to one of these?

Don't I wish!
At least they are only going to be $99 (I believe) at retail stores which isn't too bad.

 

[straubs]

Of course they are "about" to roll out the series 3 which is vastly improved and includes dual tuner HD, a scrolling LCD display of what's recording, expandable storage, and more. I'd rather wait a couple months--hopefully less! TiVo Series 3

 

[probzy]

Good post OP!

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: straubs
Of course they are "about" to roll out the series 3 which is vastly improved and includes dual tuner HD, a scrolling LCD display of what's recording, expandable storage, and more. I'd rather wait a couple months--hopefully less! TiVo Series 3

Unfortunately the series 3 is going to be MUCH more expensive than current models and for people like me who have analog, non-cable-box cable, its features won't be so attractive.

From what I read over at Tivocommunity.com, the series 3 is still scheduled for rollout second half of the year - most bets are on September, but I don't have any actual information on that.

 

[systemjockey]

I would agree that this isn't a hot deal. I have an HDTV in my living room, so I went with a HD pvr built into my cable tuner, but I still use my Tivo in my office/game room. While the Cable PVR has made imrpovements, there are features to the Tivo service that I still find better suited to my need. Of course all of my favorite HD shows I record in the living room and the less interesing in my office, since that's where I tend to spend more of my time. Also, if your already a subscriber and you pickup the new box, you can also get a deal to lower your monthly fee to $5.99. Personally, I'm glad I got in on the lifetime back when I bought my first one.

 

[Kaido]

I think the only TiVo I'd really consider is the Humax model that TiVo sells, which has a DVD player/burner. This way you can backup your shows. Also, you can pay a company to pre-format a hard drive to put in your TiVo, up to 500 gigs per drive:

http://www.weaknees.com/

 

[allisolm]

Available now at Circuit City for $99.99 after $150 MIR. Link.

Service is $12.95/month. Service activation required and customer must maintain
service for 30 days to qualify for this promotional offer. Limit 2 rebate(s) or other promotional offer(s) per household.

 

[BornStar]

For only $100 this could be worth while. It would actually pay for itself in less than 13 months for me as I can get rid of 2 of my 3 TiVos. I'm going to have to consider this.

 

[aphex]

Wow, the Series 3 is cable card ready with dual HDTV tuners....

FINALLY, a replacement for my craptastic 8300hd.... I've gone through over 5 of them in a year and the one i picked up last week ALREADY stopped recording programs

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: allisolm
Unfortunately the series 3 is going to be MUCH more expensive than current models and for people like me who have analog, non-cable-box cable, its features won't be so attractive.

From what I read over at Tivocommunity.com, the series 3 is still scheduled for rollout second half of the year - most bets are on September, but I don't have any actual information on that.

The series 3 isn't going to cost much more than a series 2. If you think it is going to then you think TIVO is stupid. You will no doubt be able to buy it for $20 a month (including service) with a 1-3 year commitment or something silly like that.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: allisolm
Unfortunately the series 3 is going to be MUCH more expensive than current models and for people like me who have analog, non-cable-box cable, its features won't be so attractive.

From what I read over at Tivocommunity.com, the series 3 is still scheduled for rollout second half of the year - most bets are on September, but I don't have any actual information on that.

The series 3 isn't going to cost much more than a series 2. If you think it is going to then you think TIVO is stupid. You will no doubt be able to buy it for $20 a month (including service) with a 1-3 year commitment or something silly like that.

Well, with the Directv HD DVR going for around $500 and with this one having more features, I think it's going to be more than $500. I guess we'll see when it comes out. Both of my series 2 units have been free, so they're going to have to go some to get anywhere near MY series 2 costs.

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: BornStar18
For only $100 this could be worth while. It would actually pay for itself in less than 13 months for me as I can get rid of 2 of my 3 TiVos. I'm going to have to consider this.

Could someone please explain the "upgrade" fee to me? What exactly do you get for that $30?

Also, I notice that the "Lifetime" option has been dropped. As far as I can tell, the lowest cost now is for something called 3-year pre-pay that averages out to about a dime a month more than the old monthly plan. I don't see a discount rate for a second box; did that go away too?

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: BornStar18
For only $100 this could be worth while. It would actually pay for itself in less than 13 months for me as I can get rid of 2 of my 3 TiVos. I'm going to have to consider this.

Could someone please explain the "upgrade" fee to me? What exactly do you get for that $30?

Also, I notice that the "Lifetime" option has been dropped. As far as I can tell, the lowest cost now is for something called 3-year pre-pay that averages out to about a dime a month more than the old monthly plan. I don't see a discount rate for a second box; did that go away too?

Ah, it's complicated. Let me see if i can explain and get it right - two maybe impossible tasks.

If you have no TiVos and you buy one at a retail seller such as Best Buy you pay $12.95 per month for the first one and $6.95 a month for additional units.

If you have no TiVos and you buy one from them where you pay nothing up front and pay $16, $17, or whatever it is per month with a 1/2/3 yr commitment
and then you buy a second one, same deal, neither is able to get the $6.95 rate until your commitment is over. Then you can change one to $12.95 and one to $6.95.

If you have one TiVo that is on the $12.95/mo plan and you buy one with the 1/2/3yr plan I think you can change the one you already own to $6.95 but the new one remains on your committment plan until that time is over.

There probably are scenarios that I haven't covered, but I don't have any more time.

Hope this isn't too wrong and that it helps.

 

[Athena]

Okay...but what is this $30 upgrade fee about?