TiVo 40hr FREE AR CompUSA

[allisolm]

CompUSA.com shows the 40-hr TiVo free after $150 MIR (from TiVo) 313608. Requires activation and $12.95 per month service committment for 1 yr.

Site page says:
"Series2 40 Hour DVR
Manufacturer: TiVo
Mfg Part #: TCD540040
Product Number: 313608

Was: $199.99
Free
SAVE $200 after:
$50.00 instant savings
$150.00 mail-in rebate(s)"



Their ad says something different but I can't find anything on their site about the 3-month service rebate or a $100 MIR mentioned in the ad, so I don't know what gives.

Ad says:
"TIVO 40-HOUR DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER
save $150, Bonus! Get 3 FREE Months of TiVo® Service after rebate with purchase of this TiVo® DVR! A $38 Value!

$49.99after savings & rebate thru Sep 24 TCD540040
$199.99 - $50 Instant Savings - $100 Mfr. Mail-In Rebate #313608

Requires $12.95 monthly subscription fee or one-time $299 fee for TiVo® service. Terms and conditions may apply."

Same SKU for both and, as you can see by clicking on the sku link above, it goes to the page that says free, not a page that says $49.99 plus 3 months free service.

 

[Delbert]

Adding this as a second unit ($6.95 a month) still qualifies, right?

 

[allisolm]

Yes, as long as you keep it active for 12 months.

 

[V00D00]

So you have to pay $155.40 over 12 months for it then?

Does someone want to explain to me why you need a subscription to use a DVR? Are you paying to get the stupid TV Guide BS, or what?

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: V00D00
So you have to pay $155.40 over 12 months for it then?

Does someone want to explain to me why you need a subscription to use a DVR? Are you paying to get the stupid TV Guide BS, or what?

Yeah you are basically paying for the Guide, and no it won't work without it. Even if you know when and what channel your show is on, the tivo needs to have that info in its system in order for you to record.

 

[StormRider]

Very tempting. I already have 2 tivos but a third would be good for those times when I have show conflicts...

 

[erikatcuse]

I'd rather have an MCE PCE with extender or just get the one from my cable company at least then there is no monthy subscription costs

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: StormRider
Very tempting. I already have 2 tivos but a third would be good for those times when I have show conflicts...

Yeah i wouldn't mind a third as well, but my freakin apartment only has one cable outlet in my living room, and from that I am already running it to my cable box, then to my TV. It is split and being run to my tvio downstairs, as well as split again to run over to my cable modem. Not to mention, I think the line downstairs is actually split from the line upstairs. SO basically i am running all my equipment off one line, and the quality is already below where I would like it, so adding another tivo is probablly not gonna work for me. But it is a great deal.

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: erikatcuse
I'd rather have an MCE PCE with extender or just get the one from my cable company at least then there is no monthy subscription costs

Yeah the cost is a downside, and I admit, I have never used MCE(but have used sage TV)and while I could probablly easily use MCE, I feel the tivo is probablly easier to use for myself, but more importantly, the rest of my family.

Again I am not trying to start anything, I have never used MCE, it could very well be ebtter and this is only my opinion anyway. I actually would love to give it a try, but would ahve the same problem i mentioned above.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: coolred

Originally posted by: erikatcuse
I'd rather have an MCE PCE with extender or just get the one from my cable company at least then there is no monthy subscription costs

Yeah the cost is a downside, and I admit, I have never used MCE(but have used sage TV)and while I could probablly easily use MCE, I feel the tivo is probablly easier to use for myself, but more importantly, the rest of my family.

Again I am not trying to start anything, I have never used MCE, it could very well be ebtter and this is only my opinion anyway. I actually would love to give it a try, but would ahve the same problem i mentioned above.

Agreed. I've got MCE2005 on a Compaq here. It's fine, but not earth-shattering. A modern ReplayTV or TiVo will give much the same functionality at a much lower cost, will be cheaper to operate, and cheaper and simpler to maintain, and will be easier for non-IT family members. One thing I like about MCE2005 is "WebGuide3" (Google for it if interested), which allows you to easily watch, record, and schedule recordings from any computer on the internet...but that said, ReplayTV at least (and probably TiVo too) can do essentially similar things.

 

[tajdtj]

Save $31 goto EBay and search TIVO you will find another $31 that seller will send you!

 

[Garlic]

$160 for the ability to record a few TV shows or one year?

 

[dclive]

$50, then a $299 lifetime fee. Net cost $350 for the TiVo option.

Finding a MCE2005 box for that would be almost impossible. Granted, you'd get more with it, but if all you want is a DVR....

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: dclive

Originally posted by: coolred

Originally posted by: erikatcuse
I'd rather have an MCE PCE with extender or just get the one from my cable company at least then there is no monthy subscription costs

Yeah the cost is a downside, and I admit, I have never used MCE(but have used sage TV)and while I could probablly easily use MCE, I feel the tivo is probablly easier to use for myself, but more importantly, the rest of my family.

Again I am not trying to start anything, I have never used MCE, it could very well be ebtter and this is only my opinion anyway. I actually would love to give it a try, but would ahve the same problem i mentioned above.

Agreed. I've got MCE2005 on a Compaq here. It's fine, but not earth-shattering. A modern ReplayTV or TiVo will give much the same functionality at a much lower cost, will be cheaper to operate, and cheaper and simpler to maintain, and will be easier for non-IT family members. One thing I like about MCE2005 is "WebGuide3" (Google for it if interested), which allows you to easily watch, record, and schedule recordings from any computer on the internet...but that said, ReplayTV at least (and probably TiVo too) can do essentially similar things.

Yeah you can set a tivo up to record shows from any computer connected to the net. I have done it once for before.


Yeah an MCE computer is great if you have the cas and need the added benefits of a computer, and a VCR is all you really need to record TV shows. I think the tivo is a nice middle level option. Tons better then a VCR, but obviously it can't be used to play games, or browse the net or do word processing, but then again it's a lot cheaper then any MCE computer.

So in conclusion, each one of these devices serves a purpose. It just depends on your needs and available cash as to which one is the best for you. I feel they are all equally valuable. With the lesser one ebing the VCR, but obviously if you are a broke college kid, then a cheap VCR is a great thing to have.

 

[rahvin]

I'm a huge fan of Tivo but with the recently added DRM restrictions in software version 7.2 I don't know that I would recomend them anymore.

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: rahvin
I'm a huge fan of Tivo but with the recently added DRM restrictions in software version 7.2 I don't know that I would recomend them anymore.

I think this is a bit premature, the DRM restrictions that have surfaced thus far where accidental. Obviously it is quite possible that it could start being used at any time, but now is not that time. And as of yet, you have no way of knowing how it will be used.

I agree if they stop allowing shows to be burned to DVD, or saved for more then a few days, then it will be a major problem, and I feel it will bankrupt tivo. But that day has not come yet. So should we abandon tivo due to a software glitch, I for one won't be. Now if it goes into effect full tiem covering every show, then yes it will be bye bye tivo for me, and likely most everyone else.

 

[dclive]

Well, all of this makes me happy I still have my Panasonic and Replay models from way back when (3000-series models, IIRC). No ethernet, but aside from that, it's the greatest thing around, and I can't imagine doing without it.