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$249 is the same price for the Tivo HD DVR at Amazon, and it includes free shipping. I don't see any deals here.
I just looked again at Amazon and the XL version is $469, eighty bucks cheaper than Tivo's special price. Why would anyone take Tivo up on their offer?
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Wow is that expensive, considering you can roll your own more featureful HD PVR with effectively unlimited space for way under $500. Maybe as little as $200 if you're lucky and have firewire enabled on your source. Otherwise, the Hauppauge HD PVR is your savior.
the xl has a 1tb hd, though you can get the $250 tivo hd and buy an external 1tb hd for $170. price would be $420.
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@shepd: While technically true, most people are not TiVO fans due to the cost of the hardware, but due to the intuitive, easy to use interface. I haven't seen any other DVR (replay, Comcast-branded, MythTV, etc) that is as easy to use.
Granted, that may not be a big deal to some, and saving money is what they'd prefer to do. But I find that TiVo fans are often like Apple fans, and that they willingly pay a premium for the experience.
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Good luck with the Comcrap POS DVR. Sure, no up front cost and possibly less per month (to start), but when your button presses get queued up for 15, 20, 30 minutes and prevent you from doing ANYthing, you'll understand ...
@larrymac is not selling Monster Energy Drink: Agreed. I have that POS Comcast DVR, and I'm thinking about switching it out for a TIVO!
Hey Reader Tim, wanna just do a straight swap? :P
The Comcast (HD) DVR is a total piece of garbage. It's slow (pressing FAST FORWARD or REVERSE may take 20-30 SECONDS to actually start going, locking the system up completely in the process), the storage space is non-existant (can only record about 40 hours of REGULAR programming, and much less of HD programming! The guide is horrible, can't search for anything, oh, and did I mention that the sucker costs an extra $14.95 a MONTH?
I would have honestly traded it in already for a Tivo except for the fact that Tivo is $12.95 a month. Spending $299 (for the box) just to save $2 a month just doesn't compute.
The minute they make a DVR that will support a Cable Card and doesn't have any per month fees, I'll be all over that sucker.
Unless AT&T finally expands into my new area and I can get my uVerse back. I liked uVerse.
@Southern: Tivo does make a cablecard compliant DVR. However if you are waiting for the monthly fee's to be removed you are going to be waiting forever. We've had Tivo from the beginning. I've used other DVR's including homegrown versions and they just aren't as good as Tivo. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.
@Southern: I tried Comcast's DVR too - had to switch back to Tivo as fast as they could ship it & never thought twice.... Tivo rules.
I've never actually TRIED a Tivo, but honestly, a 20 year old VCR that uses TAPE is almost better than that POS Comcast DVR.
Hmm..
Just did some research, and THIS is interesting.. It seems that Comcast is rolling out NEW DVRs THAT ARE TIVOS.. Now *that* I can sink my teeth into.
It's not available in my market yet (Houston), but you can bet I'll be waiting for it!
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@Southern: I'd be hesitant. DirecTV used to roll out TiVOs, but then they decided to make their own DVRs instead. Then they phased out the TiVOs, and their own DVRs were terrible, terrible quality. Horrible. We hated ours, and it eventually died completely.
@larrymac is not selling Monster Energy Drink: After using that comcast DVR for a week you'll give Tivo 50 bucks extra to switch back. Shocking how horrible the comcast DVR OS is.
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@larrymac is not selling Monster Energy Drink: Seconded. The Comcast DVR is a disgrace. Part of the high price of Tivo is for the user interface - it really is worth it.
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@scoobydoo: Thirded. I've used Replay and Comcast DVRs, both at my in-laws' and they blow chunks compared to my TiVo. The only reason I still have Comcast for TV is that they're the only ones in my area who provide an analog signal for the second tuner on my TiVo DT.
@larrymac is not selling Monster Energy Drink: I returned mine after a week, so obviously frazzled that they cut my bill even though I didn't ask.
I've been a Tivo customer for 7 years and have owned 5 of them. Since my old non-digital box doesn't work anymore with my current set-up, they decided to offer me a \"deal\" to upgrade...for only $10 more than I could get at Sears.
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You can actually save $100 if you buy the Tivo HD XL DVR at Newegg for only $499.99.
How is Newegg able to beat Tivo's own price, which allegedly is devoted solely to retain special customers?
I don't care. I love TiVo. Cold dead hands and all that.
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@VA_White: TiVo's user interface has proven to be a winner, better than cable and better than satellite. But to buy the product, then buy the service on top of that is ridiculous when at least DirecTV charges significantly less for the same HD product and same service level.
@zacox: Well, DirecTV does charge less, but for apartment dwellers who can't get satellite, they're stuck with cable companies. Cox charges $15 a month for DVR service and the unit. And you don't even get to keep the unit, it's a \"rental\" - such a ripoff, IMO. Instead of getting the Cox DVR, we got a refurb TiVO and a year of service for only $10 more than paying Cox for service and a unit we wouldn't have even been able to keep.
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@zacox: I miss my S2 Tivo but until they put out a unit that deals with SDV channels without the need of the external tuning adapter I won't buy another one.
Cheaper? Only if you expect to die in early 2012. A TiVoHD with a lifetime (of the unit) subscription is $500 for existing TiVo subscribers. The inferior Comcast DVR is $16/month. The TiVo pays for itself in 2 years, 7 months. If you want On Demand, they'll give you a non-DVR HD tuner you can use for that, no extra charge. (YMMV with your local Comcast office, I suppose.)
@rdclark: @GearheadGeek:
HD TiVo needs only one multistream CableCard, and the first CableCard from Comcast is free. I'm paying $0 per month for the Cablecard and the HD box (for OnDemand) because it's all connected to a single \"outlet.\"
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@rdclark: That's at least nice of them... perhaps because they realize their own DVR sucks so much. TW and Charter charge for each CableCARD (at least in the markets I've lived in.) I wasn't aware of the existence of multistream cards, but then again I don't have any CableCARD devices except for my newer Charter HD boxes that have the CableCARDs locked into them.
@rdclark: Don't forget the $12 or so a month you'll have to spend to get 2 CableCARDs for the Tivo that are included with the cable company DVR, and the fact that you basically have an eternal warranty on the cable company's DVR. I'm not saying Tivo isn't slick, just that if your cable company has a DVR that works, it's not a bad thing. (I've had Time Warner and now Charter DVRs, both companies use Scientific Atlanta, and all of them have been HD DVRs.)
comcast boxes@GearheadGeek:
some comcrap systems also have outlet and HD cable card fees on top of the rent.
I may want to get a new Direct tv HD tivo next year.
You will still have to pay a monthly fee for cable cards with TIVO. TIVO is a good alternative for people who want to ditch the cable company. You can stream netflix, download pod casts and amazon purchases. There is lots of programming to be recorded for free over the air.
I don't know what Comcast is using now, but when I had their Motorola DVR, I was extremely frustrated with freeze-ups and random DVR HD failures. I've been happy with the Tivo 3 and I would not trade it for anything! Dude, don't give up on TIVO, Comcast DVRs suck!
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I used a Comcast DVR box while visiting a friend in Seattle. I was there for 5 days and didn't do much TV watching, but it froze multiple times on me and even required a plug pull at one point. Awful things.
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Comcast DVR is the biggest POS I have ever used. There is no way you can compare it to a TIVO.
OK, there are reasons not to love TiVo:
1) Their 12-month commitment (with $150 early termination fee) that applies for activating any TiVo, used or new, is pretty lame.
2) The fact that you can build better boxes for the same or less money.
Both come immediately to mind.
But, I've played with a large number of DVR/PVR solutions, and TiVo has the best useability. I never have to worry about whether Windows crashed and didn't record my show. My cable service goes out regularly, but my TiVo always faithfully records the static that should have been my show.
@NathanLV: How is that different from cable companies who require a 12 month commitment? It's pretty much par for the course for a lot of businesses.
You might be able to build a box, but most people don't want to and most people don't know how to. TiVO fits the need of most people perfectly fine, and I agree, it's got a great user interface. I'm willing to pay for something that I don't have to fight - I have enough battles at work, I don't need to reboot my DVR every week just to watch a TV show.
The Tivo Discount gets bigger the longer you've been with Tivo.
THat exact same offer actually DOES net me a $100 discount. ($299/$499, which as mentioned isn't really much of a deal compared to retail.)
Funny thing is, the text at the top of the page I get just says \"Save $$$\" not \"Save $100\".
If you've been a Tivo customer for less than 3 years, I think you qualify for a $50 discount- and this is a gaffe in the \"generic header used used with the offer doesn't quite match up\". Not saying it's right, but there's probably getting close to the source of the error.
The main issue everyone is having with the comcast DVRs is a heat based one, try giving it more space (and putting a deck of cards under each corner) you will find it freezes up less
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I was talking to a DirecTV CSR this week and he told me by May or June all DirecTV DVRs will be combined with TIVO. In other words, it will be made by TIVO and perform like a TIVO with all TIVO's services and Directv DVR's services combined.
@savdavid: That's odd. They used to do that, and then they started to make their own - I guess maybe it wasn't a successful venture for them (cause the DVRs suuuucked) and they're trying to get their customers back.
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Awe a cold beer rabit ears and pbs. Gotta love the simple life. lol
I have a line connected to my TV Tuner in my computer and use a wireless server to record all my programs through Windows Media Center. FREE. And best system I've ever seen for DVR functions, menu guides, etc. Which is in turn connected to Media Center Connectors throughout the house. TiVo and ComCast are so last week.
@Victrix: That works fine for OTA stuff, or basic \"analog\" signals, Victrix, but it won't support digital cable unless it'll accept a CableCard.. And the Media Centers that support a CableCard usually START at around $1,000. :(
I wonder if Comcast still has non-digital service in Houston, or if it's all Digital now.. I'll have to find out.
@Southern: Southern, all you need to do is coonect the output of your cable/sattlite service box to the input on your TV tuner, the satellite/cable box decodes the programs and then they are input into your TV Tuner.
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I love my Tivo. Love it love it love it. HATE calling customer service. They ALWAYS try to sell me something and just don't take no for an answer. Last week I called to cancel service on one of my boxes and for nearly ten minutes the woman tried to talk me out of it. Didn't seem to understand why I kept saying no. It really pissed me off. They seriously need to back off on that whole \"upsell or die\" mentality.
I sold the extra box on CraigsList for a $50 profit (I got the box for free when I first signed up). That was nice.
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ATT U-Verse FTW. 1 DVR playable all over the house. No extra charge.
@CaptZ: Hated U-Verse. Switched back to TiVo after two months.
I really don't feel like MANUALLY programming every show I happen to like. I wouldn't normally record old episodes of Cheers, but TiVo does it for me when there's space, and that's awesome.
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Wow. Submitter must be a glutton for punishment. Anyone who is willingly switching from a Tivo to a cable-provided DVR needs their head examined.
Sub...scription? Doesn't it just record from the cable signal? Am I missing something here? *still tapes shows on a VCR that is older than me*
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Oh, it was just a typo on the part of the graphic designer. Or perhaps the account or marketing person in charge of the messaging had a big, huge brain fart. I would go back and ask for a steeper discount for having my intelligence assaulted by stupidity and my common sense insulted. Lovely...just lovely.
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Call them instead of doing it through their site. I did and they sold me a brand new HD unit for $100.
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I bought a Pioneer DVR with 80 gig HD and a DVD burner for less than $300 (woot.com) and I don't pay any subscription fees. I have seen TiVo in action, and it is pretty slick, but I'm not into paying a monthly charge on top of my $15 cable bill. My DVR downloads the TV guide, and I can set it to record shows once, daily or weekly.
I'm so tired of the \"Tivo is more expensive\" argument. It's not. Do the math.
I'm paying $8.33 a month for Tivo. Cox was charging me $18 a month for their crappy DVR, which can't touch Tivo as far as functionality. Upload content to your Tivo, expand the drive (mine's 1TB), listen to iTunes and view iPhoto libraries, all kinds of web content downloaded automatically, Netflix and Amazon streaming, etc. There's no contest. Tivo is better and cheaper, but losing market share because most people are stupid.
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But.. I thought everyone needed 2 dvr's? They don't? Oh.. :-/ damn.
@Oranges w/ Cheese wants it to be winter already: uhhh I have 4 DVRs on 2 TVs (2 Tivo's that I love and 2 that comcast provided but somehow forgot that they gave us, so we have never been charged for them)
@Oranges w/ Cheese wants it to be winter already:
They dont, they need 3 like me :)
Not quite sure how the DVR fees add up with Comcast but around here DirecTV is the only provider that doesnt wreck your wallet for multiple DVRs. $6.00 for the DVR access fee no matter how many DVRs you have on your account. Each DVR box is the same lease fee as other boxes, 5.00 or so.
Optimum wants 10.00 DVR access fee per DVR, on top of the monthly rental fee of 5.00.