Tivo and Tivo-like devices

[masterMood]

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Tivo records tv shows when you're not there. It sounds like a cool idea because then you don't end up watching shows when you should be really doing work.

If one gets one, are there "tivo-like" boxes taht let you record digitally without teh service?

also, what do you guys recommend tivo pay per month or pay a one time fee?

i've heard that tivo is almost bankrupt and that several companies particularly apple might buy the compahy over.

what are some alternatives to tivo. can you use a powerbook and record tv like that?

 

[kenmc3]

Well an alternative would be to buy a TV Tuner card for your computer that allows you to record programs. For example Hauppauge (http://www.hauppauge.com/) makes some.

I have had TiVo for almost 5 years and actually just purchased a new one (new features etc.). I think its great – I never miss a show and there is always something recorded for me to watch (great for if you are home sick). However, this is where the problem starts. Since there is always something to watch, it can become addicting. I ended up watching a lot of TV the first year I got it. Luckily I can control myself now.

As for the service ($12.95 / month) it is a little expensive (used to be $9.95) but it is manageable and well worth it. In fact, satellite users pay less for their monthly service charge. Personally I think TiVo is the most user friendly system out there. However there are others, for example most cable companies offer a DVR cable box (usually at $9.95 per month), so you may want to check it out.

As for the TiVo going out of business, I don’t really know. Regarding the monthly charge or the lifetime service charge, it is debatable. Obviously buying a TiVo and paying the lifetime service is REALLY expensive. I bought my first TiVo 5 years ago and paid monthly. Obviously I have paid more than the lifetime service charge but I didn’t know how long my unit would last. That’s the big factor – once you pay for lifetime service, if your unit breaks 2 years from now (outside warranty – your screwed).

But I still highly recommend TiVo – it changes the way you watch TV.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Wouldnt this be a better topic for you to post in the lounge?

Nonsense!!

 

[synapse lapse]

Wait, couldn't you just but another box ? You would have to do that anyway if your box broke, unless of course you just didn't want the service anymore. Either way, since the lifetime fee is only like 2 years service, it seems better to just buy it. Concievably you can just have the box for the rest of your life, and of course replace it with boxes as new ones become available. Only downside is if company goes out of business or you other companies offer better service. I think its BS they charge you anyhow since its just a stupid HD recording and input device. TV Tuner card is a nice option, esp if you build a hometheater PC (what I will probably do).

 

[kenmc3]

Wait, couldn't you just but another box ? You would have to do that anyway if your box broke, unless of course you just didn't want the service anymore. Either way, since the lifetime fee is only like 2 years service, it seems better to just buy it. Concievably you can just have the box for the rest of your life, and of course replace it with boxes as new ones become available. Only downside is if company goes out of business or you other companies offer better service. I think its BS they charge you anyhow since its just a stupid HD recording and input device. TV Tuner card is a nice option, esp if you build a hometheater PC (what I will probably do).

Lifetime service is for the box itself - NOT for the user. So if I bought the lifetime service and then gave my TiVo to someone else - they would have the lifetime service, not me. Also if your box broke - you would void the lifetime service.

 

[USCTex]

Wait, couldn't you just but another box ? You would have to do that anyway if your box broke, unless of course you just didn't want the service anymore. Either way, since the lifetime fee is only like 2 years service, it seems better to just buy it. Concievably you can just have the box for the rest of your life, and of course replace it with boxes as new ones become available. Only downside is if company goes out of business or you other companies offer better service. I think its BS they charge you anyhow since its just a stupid HD recording and input device. TV Tuner card is a nice option, esp if you build a hometheater PC (what I will probably do).

Hey, they're charging you basically for programming information. So you don't have to PAY. Under those circumstances you can tell your tivo to record manually at certain times on certain channels...of course you lose a lot of TiVos cool features like one button functionality and the fact it records shows it thinks you might like...

However, if you want to get really creative there's info out there on opening up your tivo, taking out the harddrive, plugging it into a PC and "hacking" it. Then, you can point the TiVo to addresses for lots of "independent" servers which provide the programming information for TiVos for FREE.

Of course...you void your warranty and there's no customer support but...

 

[DrThom]

Lifetime service is for the box itself - NOT for the user. So if I bought the lifetime service and then gave my TiVo to someone else - they would have the lifetime service, not me. Also if your box broke - you would void the lifetime service.

Yes, this is why I pay the monthly service charge. Plus, I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep my TiVo.

Now that I have had it for a few months, I LOVE IT!!! It could very well possibily be the greatest invention ever. They are really cheap after all the rebates as well.

 

[gbiz]

Y'ah, I just have a TV tuner card in my computer. You can schedule those just like you can TiVo, and you can hook your computer up to your tv, as I do, to watch it. THere is no service fee, and frankly I dont understand the TiVo service fee, what are you paying for? THere are free dbs out there with all the show information, if thats what youre paying 13 bucks a month for!