I currently have a Tivo unit that has Tivo basic. So there is no need for a subscription. Tivo is ending their lifetime subscription tomorrow (3/15). So I am on the ropes right now on if i should go ahead and pay for the lifetime subscription. I wasnt really into the idea of Tivo at first but now I am finding out its pretty convienant. Fearing that my current Tivo unit will break or become obsolete, I will end up having to replace the unit. I am pretty sure Tivo Basic will not be available in any future units would it be a good idea to lock in now? Will the lifetime subscription apply to any future Tivo receivers I purchased or only applys to the unit i have now?
A product lifetime subscription to the TiVo service covers the life of the TiVo Digital Video Recorder (DVR) you buy--not the life of the subscriber. The product lifetime subscription accompanies the product in case of ownership transfer. The subscription remains in effect if your DVR needs to be repaired or replaced due to a malfunction (see manufacturer warranty details). Because a product lifetime subscription is linked to a particular DVR, it cannot be transferred to any other DVR (unless the DVR is replaced due to a malfunction covered by the manufacturer's warranty). Each DVR purchased requires its own service subscription and activation. Of course, hardware products don't last forever and their lifespan will vary among individual products. TiVo makes no representations or warranties as to the expected lifetime of the product aside from the manufacturer's warranty.
I wouldn't do it. There are so many other options right now and Tivo is fighting for it's life with competition from cable companies. I have DirecTV and they used to have Tivo. It was great because they subsidized the cost and it was only $5 a month versus the $13 Tivo charges. Now DirecTV has their own DVR. I can still use the box they gave me but new customers can't. Not sure how long Tivo will remain viable so I wouldn't do anything lifetime. Lifetime might actually just mean 3-5 years.
I'm quite happy with my DVD recorder. I can time slip and watch stuff from the beginning while I'm recording it. I don't pay for any services, the media is cheap, and I can save stuff permanently if I want to and watch it on other devices (or take it with me, or make copies for others, etc.). I can also feed my camcorder directly into it and save all my footage to DVD. The only inconvenience is moving discs in and out of the unit (which I don't mind at all).
With things going HD the way they are you need to make sure you don’t plan on upgrading to HD and have no real use for a basic TIVO.. I'd do it by the month for a year and I bet TIVO has so much completion by then the price will be lower to compete.. I still think TIVO is a million miles ahead of ANY THING the cable companies claim to be a DVR, but at least they will help drive down the cost..
