jmzombro wrote:Maybe I'm looking at it wrong but I pay 14.95 per month for my cable DVR which I can record 2 shows at once. The capacity is 160 hours SD, and about 60 hours HD.
If I got TIVO the service is about $12 per month plus the cost of the cable cards (would need two), so about $16 per month.
So is it any wonder that TIVO is losing money. They would need to cut in half the cost of their service because otherwise I front the money for the box, and pay the service. They give an average cost on their webpage to make it seem like it beats the cost of the cable companies, but in reality they're higher.
NO DEAL.

Try looking at it this way jmzombro, you can drive a Yugo/any other DVR or you can drive a Lexus/TiVo for a few bucks more per month. I'll take the Lexus/TiVo every time.

The S3 is such a superior machine I don't have the words to explain it.

Do some research and figure it out for yourself but do it quick, this machine sold for almost $500.00 when it was first released.

I have two!

dinks100 wrote:Do some research and figure it out for yourself but do it quick, this machine sold for almost $500.00 when it was first released.

Actually, the original MSRP in September 2006 was $799.99.

Pufferfishy wrote:
There have also been comments about using this without a subscription. I can't speak directly to a Series 3, but I see no reason why it would be any different than the Series 1 and Series 2 units I've gone through...
You can't even start to use this thing until you call TiVo with it.
Further - it sets its time and gets the guide data via the TiVo service - I suppose you might be able to figure out how to get it to record something on a schedule - but EVERY PROGRAM in your "Now Playing" list is likely to say something like "Manual Recording 2010-03-25"

I would be willing to set manual recordings without guide data. I do it now with a Toshiba DVR. It has only an analog tuner so I have to use an OTA converter box. Setting timers for both manually using the TV listings that come with my newspaper. Having this HD recorder would be better than what I have if it will let me do what I am suggesting. I can live with recordings listed as "Manual Recording 2010-03-25". Obviously I would need to be able to set the time correctly or have it pull the time from the stations. I just want to know if it can be done without a subscription. Does anybody know how I could find out?

The Dish DTVPal DVR that someone mentioned is the only other solution for OTA HD recording without a subscription but after reading about the problems with that model I thought that this TiVo sounded better.

lakesemaj wrote:I can't find anywhere, how much it would cost monthly if i had 2 or 3 of these running in the house.

The Tivo website lists the subscription: 12.95 for the first 9.95 each additional up to 5 total. Unless you get a package then it can vary.

jgkiii wrote:The Tivo website lists the subscription: 12.95 for the first 9.95 each additional up to 5 total. Unless you get a package then it can vary.

You also can buy a lifetime subscription for each, at $399 for each machine (or would it be $399 for the first, and then $299 for each one after, as a TiVo customer who already has a lifetime subscription?). But, expensive, to say the least.

In answer to an earlier question, yes, you need to have a subscription for each TiVo, to transfer content between them.

Also, yes, you can transfer TiVo content to your computer (assuming the content provider has not prohibited this, which some limited providers indeed have occasionally done), via Wifi and a separate Wifi dongle (the Tivo-brand dongle can be found for around $40), and a free TiVo software transfer utility; an unlocked version of the utility, which also will convert the content to other formats (for example, for a portable media player) and with some limited other enhancements, will run you $30 or so. (I use the Wifi dongle; I'm not sure if this also will work via an ethernet connection to your TiVo.) The open source community also has (free) software to do this.

jgkiii wrote:The Tivo website lists the subscription: 12.95 for the first 9.95 each additional up to 5 total. Unless you get a package then it can vary.

I've had three TiVo running at the same time and it was as you TiVo advertised $12.95 for the first $9.95 each additional unit.

Right now I'm running one HD and one S3 in a 3 year package for &14.14 per month including tax.

radioinsomnia wrote:Actually, the original MSRP in September 2006 was $799.99.

Your correct radioinsomnia, I remember it was WAY out side of my budget back then

rufustel wrote:You also can buy a lifetime subscription for each, at $399 for each machine (or would it be $399 for the first, and then $299 for each one after, as a TiVo customer who already has a lifetime subscription?). But, expensive, to say the least.

In answer to an earlier question, yes, you need to have a subscription for each TiVo, to transfer content between them.

Also, yes, you can transfer TiVo content to your computer (assuming the content provider has not prohibited this, which some limited providers indeed have occasionally done), via Wifi and a separate Wifi dongle (the Tivo-brand dongle can be found for around $40), and a free TiVo software transfer utility; an unlocked version of the utility, which also will convert the content to other formats (for example, for a portable media player) and with some limited other enhancements, will run you $30 or so. (I use the Wifi dongle; I'm not sure if this also will work via an ethernet connection to your TiVo.) The open source community also has (free) software to do this.

It works flawlessly via ethernet. With more features if you purchase the full version of the TiVo desktop software.

Got one here when it was offered a few weeks ago. Someone mentioned theirs arrived in terrible shape. Guess I lucked out in that department.

I didn't know in advance that it has two coax inputs, so I'm able to record basic standard def (free analog) cable channels and over the air hi-def. I had to pick up an amplified indoor VHF/UHF antenna.

Their built in Free VOD (mostly video podcasts you can already get online) are nice. I like watching HD CNET and other tech podcasts on it. Built in YouTube is a little clunky and doesn't work at all for some videos. Netflix works like a champ, and their HD offerings look great. Haven't tried it with Amazon or Blockbuster.

I keep erroring out trying to transfer videos from TiVo to PC, but haven't had much time to troubleshoot it.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with it, and I don't mind paying the monthly fee since I don't pay for cable.

reyanthony wrote:I keep erroring out trying to transfer videos from TiVo to PC, but haven't had much time to troubleshoot it.

1) Check your firewall settings on your computer and

2) make sure you entered your Media Access Key correctly. It's the password your PC uses to log into the tivo networking server to download recorded shows. You can find it in the settings menu, or through your account on tivo.com.

hrbud wrote:can i offload recorded shows onto my PC or is it stuck in this box?

You can if you add tivo to your home network and are connecting via wi-fi or ethernet. If you want to edit them/burn them you will need roxio 2010 software.
if you just wan to load them onto your computer and watch them there widows media player plays the file.

reyanthony wrote:Got one here when it was offered a few weeks ago. Someone mentioned theirs arrived in terrible shape. Guess I lucked out in that department.

I didn't know in advance that it has two coax inputs, so I'm able to record basic standard def (free analog) cable channels and over the air hi-def. I had to pick up an amplified indoor VHF/UHF antenna.

Their built in Free VOD (mostly video podcasts you can already get online) are nice. I like watching HD CNET and other tech podcasts on it. Built in YouTube is a little clunky and doesn't work at all for some videos. Netflix works like a champ, and their HD offerings look great. Haven't tried it with Amazon or Blockbuster.

I keep erroring out trying to transfer videos from TiVo to PC, but haven't had much time to troubleshoot it.

Overall, I'm extremely happy with it, and I don't mind paying the monthly fee since I don't pay for cable.

I also do not pay for my cable, it comes through free digital tv cable jack through my college campus. Will I need a cable card(which I cannot get)? Can I watch one channel while recording another? What is the best way to use this in my situation? What are my limitations?

texaskitty2 wrote:You can if you add tivo to your home network and are connecting via wi-fi or ethernet. If you want to edit them/burn them you will need roxio 2010 software.
if you just wan to load them onto your computer and watch them there widows media player plays the file.

I use "direct show dump utility" see http://www.ehow.com/how_5038353_convert-tivo-mpeg.html to convert the .TiVo files to .mpg files then Nero7 to create DVDs.

According to Tivo's Web Site:
Our customer's feedback has been loud and clear. They want a low priced Product Lifetime service (PLS) on Premiere. We listened. Now existing PLS customers can get an exclusive Upgrade Program discount: 50% off a new PLS plan (a savings of $200) when upgrading to Premiere.

----------------------

A Tivo Premier is $300, PLS $200, Total $500, CHEAPER than Woot's $170, Lifetime $400, total $570.

cOLeVIII wrote:I also do not pay for my cable, it comes through free digital tv cable jack through my college campus. Will I need a cable card(which I cannot get)? Can I watch one channel while recording another? What is the best way to use this in my situation? What are my limitations?

If it's Clear QAM (digital cable that's unencrypted), you won't be able to use this Tivo. Tivos need a cablecard in order to tune Clear QAM. (This wasn't a bad requirement for them to make, since by law cable companies must provide a cablecard to subscribers. But I don't know if that applies to students in dorms.)

If it's just an amplified antenna feed (digital broadcast signals) then the tivo can tune those without any trouble. If you can get an analog signal through the cable jack, then you can tune SD signals. In all of these cases, the Tivo series 3 can record two programs at once (while playing a third!)

yeller wrote:According to Tivo's Web Site:
Our customer's feedback has been loud and clear. They want a low priced Product Lifetime service (PLS) on Premiere. We listened. Now existing PLS customers can get an exclusive Upgrade Program discount: 50% off a new PLS plan (a savings of $200) when upgrading to Premiere.

----------------------

A Tivo Premier is $300, PLS $200, Total $500, CHEAPER than Woot's $170, Lifetime $400, total $570.

Only if you've already got lifetime though :/

I don't, so it would be $230 for the premier + $400 for PLS. Not worth it for now.

oopsz wrote:If it's Clear QAM (digital cable that's unencrypted), you won't be able to use this Tivo. Tivos need a cablecard in order to tune Clear QAM. (This wasn't a bad requirement for them to make, since by law cable companies must provide a cablecard to subscribers. But I don't know if that applies to students in dorms.)

If it's just an amplified antenna feed (digital broadcast signals) then the tivo can tune those without any trouble. If you can get an analog signal through the cable jack, then you can tune SD signals. In all of these cases, the Tivo series 3 can record two programs at once (while playing a third!)

Yeah I just found out my cable is clear QAM, and the provider here has never even heard of a cable card. Think a generic motorola M-Card would work?

mpx000 wrote:You don't actually have to pay for service, at least you didn't w/the series 2.

If you don't, your box is a glorified VCR w/an awesome UI. I'm OTA and this is a very tempting deal w/no listings.

W/out pay service everything just lists as "Saturday 1:00 on 41" etc.

For programming it to record shows you do it by time/channel instead. It's not as useful w/out, but it's free.

IF I can just record off-air (I only have broadcast) WITHOUT paying for the service, then I'm IN. Someone let me know ASAP.

sflatness wrote:BEWARE! I have just replaced this (exact) unit for the 4th time in 3 years. Get the new Premiere one instead. It's awful to lose all of your recordings when it dies. Tivo never says why it dies.

You might want to check your power quality. I don't know of any "common" issues with the Series 3, and mine has been running perfectly for a couple years.

Hard drives will always fail unfortunately, so when it does, you'll need to replace the drive either through Tivo or 3rd party. It does really stink when you lose the recordings.

hoosker wrote:I would be willing to set manual recordings without guide data. I do it now with a Toshiba DVR. It has only an analog tuner so I have to use an OTA converter box. Setting timers for both manually using the TV listings that come with my newspaper. Having this HD recorder would be better than what I have if it will let me do what I am suggesting. I can live with recordings listed as "Manual Recording 2010-03-25". Obviously I would need to be able to set the time correctly or have it pull the time from the stations. I just want to know if it can be done without a subscription. Does anybody know how I could find out?

The Dish DTVPal DVR that someone mentioned is the only other solution for OTA HD recording without a subscription but after reading about the problems with that model I thought that this TiVo sounded better.

I don't believe my point was clear - there is no way to set the time on a TiVo via a "menu" - it's sync'd on the "phone home". So - to set up a manual recording, you'd have to be there to start and stop the recording for every program you want to record.

If I were to buy a non-branded M-Card from eBay, and I have a small random cable provider (Campus Televideo), would I be able to set it up myself? My provider offers no support which leads me to believe I will not need their activation anyways...

I got this unit a couple of weeks ago, the last time it was on Woot. I was a bit leery before purchasing the unit since it is a refurb, but now I'm glad I did. At first when I opened the box I thought this unit was brand new, but I knew that couldn't be the case. So after careful examination of the unit, I noticed a couple light scratches. So to the person that received a badly scuffed and scratched unit, it's too bad you weren't as fortunate as I was with mine. My unit came in great shape. The remote that it came with was in even better shape. It may even be a brand new remote. It took me about an hour to setup it up, including the account setup on Tivo.com.

So far I've recorded Lost, a few NCAA tourney games, an American Idol episode, a few other shows and they played back great in HD. I only have OTA hooked up to it, and don't need cable. I got Tivo so the wife and I can record a few shows we watch, but mostly so I can record the sport broadcasts in HD. Now I don't have to worry about missing a Cowboy game. I haven't used the Amazon service yet, and may not use it very much since my local Blockbuster is just a quarter mile away. But it's there if I should ever want to use it. I haven't used the Netflix service either, because it looks like it will only play what's in your Instant Queue. On my Xbox 360, the Netflix function also displays movies that are not in my instant queue. I did watch a video from YouTube from the Tivo, and the quality of the video was not that great on my HDTV. It may have to do with my connection though. I haven't bothered with transferring any videos over to my pc, laptop, or Ipod. I don't care to either. The user interface is pretty simple to use and easy to find what you need. So far I'm very happy with my Series 3 HD DVR, and I would recommend this item. Someone else mentioned that they bought a few refurb Tivos and they haven't had any issues yet. I'm hoping I have the same experience with my Tivo as that person. It does come with a 1 year warranty.

I'm in for one. I've had TiVo for almost 10 years now and I can't live with out it. I have had an original series 1 (with lifetime) this whole time and a DirecTivo for 4 years. I'm tired of waiting for the Directv version of HD Tivo. I can buy a Tivo premier tomorrow at Best Buy and sign up for cable. This ones for the bedroom. Can't wait to get it all hooked up. Love TiVo, hate Cable, but have no choice.

I have an 8 year old child that has never known life with out TiVo. One time at a friends house she asked her why she just doesn't fast forward through the comerials? I love TiVo more than any part of TiVol. One year I recorded the entire season of 24 and didn't start watching it until summer. I have movies on my original series 1 that are years old just waiting for me to watch them. Huge hard drive in that one. Life time service pays for it's self in under 5 years. So worth it.

cOLeVIII wrote:Yeah I just found out my cable is clear QAM, and the provider here has never even heard of a cable card. Think a generic motorola M-Card would work?

My provider offers just one free HD channel, which I was always able to see hooking up the coax directly to it. If that's how you hook up your TV, you don't need a card.

oopsz wrote:If it's Clear QAM (digital cable that's unencrypted), you won't be able to use this Tivo. Tivos need a cablecard in order to tune Clear QAM. (This wasn't a bad requirement for them to make, since by law cable companies must provide a cablecard to subscribers. But I don't know if that applies to students in dorms.)

If it's just an amplified antenna feed (digital broadcast signals) then the tivo can tune those without any trouble. If you can get an analog signal through the cable jack, then you can tune SD signals. In all of these cases, the Tivo series 3 can record two programs at once (while playing a third!)

If it's clear QAM you should be able to use this without a CabelCard. If you can plug the cable into your HDTV and receive receive both the analog and digital channels on the cable you will be able to receive those same signals by the Series 3. If you have to use a cable box to receive the digital channels you will need a CableCard to receive those. In order to manually tune the channels you may have to specify them first in the "channels you receive" menu. Worked for me when I initially setup my Series 3 connected to Comcast before I picked up the CableCards from them.

Couple of comments if you purchased this recently and are having trouble with the install. Here's what I found works.

1.) Make sure that you hook this up before you get the cable cards. I was told that I had to upgrade the software to 11.0 before installing the cards or it might not work correctly. This required me to connect to the Tivo Service several times.

2.) Once you get the 11.0 software installed, install the cable cards. You have to go through the guided install again.

3.) If you have Comcast (not sure about other providers) you should get an error message 104 telling you to contact the cable provider once the cable cards are properly activated. This isn't a bad error message. This is a good one. Reset the Tivo and you should be good to.

This last step was the most frustrating for me. I had to talk to Comcast several times, and they claimed they activated the cards each time. But I was only receiving a few of the HD channels. Once they "popped" the card with a tech on site, it started working. I ended up having to reset the device twice, one for each card. But it is finally up and running.

Overall pretty pleased with it. So much better than the cable HD DVR. But a bit of a hassle to set up. Probably recommend going with the lifetime service, since I had a previous Tivo I had on the montly service for the last 4 years.

Not sure if anybody is still looking at this forum. I will probably NOT pay for TiVo service. Will I still be able to transfer the content in/out of the box using TiVo Desktop software? It's asking for Media Access Key which I can't get it off the unit. Probably I need to activate the service in order to get the key generated. Once the key is generated and stop the service, can I still access the unit from the desktop software?

Just got it - mine looks great. Comcast comes next week to give me the cards

FYI - Use Promo Code PLSR to get 100 bucks off lifetime service bringing it back to the 299 it was a while ago. This worked for me just now.

Received my Tivo HD today. Unit was in awesome shape. Looks brand new. After setting it up to record shows over the air I found out that the PLAY button on the remote does not work. Good news is that I have about 5 TiVo remotes around my house (bought 3 from woot for $0.99 each a while back), and they all work on every unit. Very happy so far.