TiVo Series 2 DT 80hr: PLUS first month of service $62.94 shipped. (from TiVo directly)

[RedBeard]

Not a bad deal for those (like me) who recently purchased HDTV's without tuners:

Pros:
80hr
Dual Tuner (record n' watch or record 2 shows)
Built in thernet NIC (no lame USB nics)
Remote included
Free Shipping
Get the 3 year rate plan! (not $19.95)
Rate plan ISN'T prepaid!
First month is included in the price!

Cons:
Not HD (not really a Con but..)
Refurb (I assume that they will stand by it for at least the term)
1 year service contract (but it is the lower rate)

TiVo Web special
The 180 hr is also listed but I don't think it is a good deal.

EDIT:
TiVo Upgrading Link

 

[rml]

Thanks

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: rml
Thanks

You're welcome.

Edited OP. I didn't realize that the first month of service is ALREADY included!

 

[jmcoreymv]

Can these be programmed manually to record shows once the contract is up?

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
Can these be programmed manually to record shows once the contract is up?

Nope. I did some research and apparently the OLD series one tivos would function somewhat but NOT the new ones.

All they will do without service is time shifting. (from what I have read)

 

[GTFan]

It's not a con that you purchased HDTV's without tuners and now you're buying SD Tivo's???

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: GTFan
It's not a con that you purchased HDTV's without tuners and now you're buying SD Tivo's???

Can you read? :roll: I am listing this a a possible con to those who have HD cable. This has nothing to do with my HDTV.

90% of my cable channels are SD anyway.

 

[RossMAN]

DT = dual tuner right?

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
DT = dual tuner right?

Yep >>

 

[OsoVerde]

Thanks. Maybe I can convince the parents to pick up one of these finally and ditch the VCR.

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: OsoVerde
Thanks. Maybe I can convince the parents to pick up one of these finally and ditch the VCR.

That is exactly what I did 2 years ago. It is worth it, it is much cheaper now

 

[Tdavis5432]

I got in on the TiVo deal last Augest for the prepaid service and Tivo series 2 for $83.40 shipped, at this point I think it is one of the best purchases I have ever made, I love my Tivo and would never want to go back to not having it... Get a Tivo you will not regret it...

 

[GTFan]

Originally posted by: RedBeard

Originally posted by: GTFan
It's not a con that you purchased HDTV's without tuners and now you're buying SD Tivo's???

Can you read? :roll: I am listing this a a possible con to those who have HD cable. This has nothing to do with my HDTV.

90% of my cable channels are SD anyway.

And 90% of your channels will be going HD over the next few years. You said 'not really a con but...' as if it wasn't, but it is if you watch (and want to record) HD. I just don't get why you'd buy new SD DVR's for your HD sets, that's all - SD almost universally looks like crap on HD sets.

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: GTFan
And 90% of your channels will be going HD over the next few years. You said 'not really a con but...' as if it wasn't, but it is if you watch (and want to record) HD. I just don't get why you'd buy new SD DVR's for your HD sets, that's all - SD almost universally looks like crap on HD sets.

SD cable doesn't look horrible on my HDTV. I threw that out as a con because some people will complain it isn't HD. But for the price you can't argue.

I am buying a SD DVR because I can't afford a HD one. A HD tivo costs almost as much as my TV. In a few "years" (I have been hearing this since 1998?), I am sure I will get something else.

This is a good, cheap solution for those people who have cheap hdtv's without tuners.

 

[MBony]

Their refurbs are trash! I went through THREE separate boxes of refurbs before they finally sent me a new one that worked.

 

[allisolm]

This is a YMMV but Target currently has Series 2, 80hr single tuner models on clearance. My store (Tallahassee Apalachee Pkwy) had 2 today marked at $110. There is a $170 MIR at tivo.com for this.

For Mbony - sorry your experience with refurbs was bad. Mine was the opposite. I had a unit die out of warranty. TiVo replaced it with a refurb, charged me nothing, and it worked fine - and 2 years later it is still going strong

 

[Modular]

Why not just build a HTPC instead? Save yourself the $156 per year subscription. The price of PC components has gotten so cheap for stuff that will be more than ample for HD signals even that a TIVO really isn't worth it anymore.

 

[Delbert]

Originally posted by: allisolm
This is a YMMV but Target currently has Series 2, 80hr single tuner models on clearance. My store (Tallahassee Apalachee Pkwy) had 2 today marked at $110. There is a $170 MIR at tivo.com for this.

I need to go check that out Allisolm

Does anyone know what hardware does and doesn't qualify for the multi-service discount?

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Modular
Why not just build a HTPC instead? Save yourself the $156 per year subscription. The price of PC components has gotten so cheap for stuff that will be more than ample for HD signals even that a TIVO really isn't worth it anymore.

I'm not sure how HTPC software has progressed, but there's several things Tivo can do that make it attractive. Wishlists are really nice, it will record any show or movie starring Bruce Willis if you choose. Season Passes as well, but I'd be surprised if HTPC software didn't have something like that.

The other thing Tivo does that's awesome is the Tivo Suggestions. You can train it by rating shows you like/don't like, then it will record other things it thinks you will like. Mine is really good at finding shows I'd like now.

The best thing about the Tivo is it's great for people who are not great with computers. Anyone can use it, there's no rebooting or manual updating.

The only problem with the Tivo is the lack of a digital tuner for OTA broadcasts. In 2009, anyone using a Tivo is going to have to use a set-top box as the tuner because the analog broadcast will cease. This is fine if you only have OTA channels, but if you use satellite TV in addition to OTA antenna, you're going to have a problem.

 

[neocor]

Originally posted by: RedBeard

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
Can these be programmed manually to record shows once the contract is up?

Nope. I did some research and apparently the OLD series one tivos would function somewhat but NOT the new ones.

All they will do without service is time shifting. (from what I have read)

Wow you can do timeslip atleast!!
That is great deal then for $62 and no more payment ever.

Is there any agreement or contract that you have to subscribe to service for some duration?
I personally think its crimial to pay for a service like Tivo each month. Another leach sucking blood ($'s) every month. Better get a DVR.

In for one.
neo


Edit :
Bad deal, requires a 1 year commitment.

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: Modular
Why not just build a HTPC instead? Save yourself the $156 per year subscription. The price of PC components has gotten so cheap for stuff that will be more than ample for HD signals even that a TIVO really isn't worth it anymore.

How much do you think it would cost for a nice simple dvr? 400 bucks? Will it fit in my cabinet? Will it be virtually silent? Will it be reliable? Will it be simple to setup?

The new tivo series 2 are pretty nice. It really is a great product. You can easily xfer video to your pc over the network.

Can it do hd? No. I use basic cable, not OTA so I don't have to worry anyway. But by 2009 I am sure HD tivo's will be a lot cheaper.

 

[GTFan]

So why buy a refurb SD Tivo now plus pay them $12.95 a month for the privilege?? That's the whole idea behind building an HTPC - if you can get the components for cheap then there's no reason to pay the Tivo Tax every month.

And it won't do HD and within a couple of years you won't be getting most channels in SD over cable without an STB...

 

[RedBeard]

Originally posted by: GTFan
So why buy a refurb SD Tivo now plus pay them $12.95 a month for the privilege?? That's the whole idea behind building an HTPC - if you can get the components for cheap then there's no reason to pay the Tivo Tax every month.

And it won't do HD and within a couple of years you won't be getting most channels in SD over cable without an STB...

Quoted from above:

How much do you think it would cost for a nice simple dvr? 400 bucks? Will it fit in my cabinet? Will it be virtually silent? Will it be reliable? Will it be simple to setup?
The new tivo series 2 are pretty nice. It really is a great product. You can easily xfer video to your pc over the network.
Can it do hd? No. I use basic cable, not OTA so I don't have to worry anyway. But by 2009 I am sure HD tivo's will be a lot cheaper.

If you think a $50 SD tivo doesn't have a market (even with subscription) then you are retarded.

 

[Kenmitch]

You guys might wanna run by Target and check out the clearance items....Last time I was at mine they had alot of TIVO's on clearance not sure of the exact model but it did state 80hr on the box.

 

[TwiceOver]

Suprised this sale is still going on. I purchased one about three months ago now. Easily the best investment I have made yet. Compared to my local cable provider I'm actually saving money with the TiVo compared to their DVR box.

As for HTPC... I have one of those too, kinda annoying though, not as easy to control. I mainly use it for gaming and Videos and such. I also piped out my tivo to the video in on the PC so I can watch TV in one window while surfing and such in another.