Tivo/DVR???????

U

Umpus

100+ Posts
Total noob here when it comes to Tivo or DVR. I'm looking to purchase a Hi Def recorder but I would like to purchase something that doesn't require a monthly subscription. This rules out Tivo, right?

Am I living in a dream world of DVRs that don't require a subscription or can I just buy one from the interweb, plug it in, and off I go?

Model/brand suggestions would also be much appreciated.
 
I am not positive but I think you only have the two options of the one provided by your service provider or Tivo. I think the reason you have to pay is for the updates the box receives. They download every day to keep current with show information, lineups and things like that.
 
go with the dvr from your cable provider. there's (more than likely) going to be a monthly fee, but it'll be comparable to tivo's monthly fee. plus, you won't have to pay $300+ upfront for the box like you would a tivo.
 
I posted the same question last year. The consesus was that TIVO was higher quality but the cable provider DVR was simpler to deal with. I ended up getting the Time Warner HD-DVR, hooked it up myself, and have been happy ever since. It was $10 a month extra.
 
TiVo has far and away the best interface, as well as being a bit more feature rich... but you have to pay for it. The use to offer a "lifetime subscription", I'm hoping they will again someday.

Also, unlike the cable box, you can crack the system open and add more storage space.
 
I love my TiVo in my bedroom. I hate my cable company DVR on my living room TV. TiVo is so much better it's not even funny. You just pay for it.
 
TiVo just had a Mother's Day deal on the lifetime subscription thing, by the way. They also offered it a couple/few months ago. I am sure they'll offer it again.
 
If the monthly fee is only $10 then I think I may do that.

Supposing I spend $500 buying an HD DVR I could get 4 years worth of subscription for the same price. If I bought a DVR it may be nearing obsolescence in 4 years and buying a new one at that point would cancel out the subscription fee.

I started this whole thing based on the fact that when internet routers first started getting popular you could buy one for a hundred bucks or rent one from time warner for $10 bucks a month which was just plain stupid. This isn't quite the same scenario.

I have just gotten to the point where I hate monthly subscription fees. If you're not careful you'll monthly fee yourself to death. Sirius, cable, DVR, internet, and on and on.
 
Looks like TIVO is bringing back Lifetime membership. May have to break down for that HDTivo now
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"We're reviving Product Lifetime Service!
Back by popular demand: TiVo Product Lifetime Service!

Starting now, existing TiVo customers like you will save an additional $100 when you purchase Product Lifetime Service—only $299 for each additional DVR added to your home.

Meanwhile, first-time TiVo customers can also say NO to monthly bills (and maybe even reduce their cable bill when they replace their cable box with TiVo HD) by choosing to pay one up-front fee that covers the life of the TiVo DVR for $399. Learn more. "
 
I use my cable dvr and am quite happy. I always hear tivo is better but nobody really explains why. Can someone please enlighten me ?
 
So the "lifetime" subscription looks like it's only valid for the life of the Tivo box you buy with it. So if you're Tivo box shits itself in 2 years have you just paid $300-$400 for 2 years worth of service?
 
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