TiVo Series 3 - Price Drop - Sparco.com - $637.48

Sparco.com just dropped its price on the Series3 Tivo HD. It's now $637.48, the lowest around. Good service and fast shipping.

http://www.sparco.com/cgi-bin/wfind2?spn=P26373

Why the hell is this so expensive? My cable company provides the Scientific Atlanta 8000HD/8300HD for free...well, almost free. I pay $7-8 a month to rent it, and another $7 to use the service. But still, that is only $90-94 to rent it each year, versus paying $600-800 through Direct TV or whoever.

Evan6ardner said: Why the hell is this so expensive? My cable company provides the Scientific Atlanta 8000HD/8300HD for free...well, almost free. I pay $7-8 a month to rent it, and another $7 to use the service. But still, that is only $90-94 to rent it each year, versus paying $600-800 through Direct TV or whoever.Because Tivo is a company run by masochists and/or idiots. They had a huge lead on the competition with the best comsumer invention since the microwave oven, and were so absolutely clueless in pricing and marketing the hardware and service, that now they're just another voice in the crowd. They're doing a similar thing with HD.

"Duh, let's sell the box for $700, and then charge everyone $12 a month for a directory service that even our loyal customers think should cost next to nothing. We'll all be rich in no time." Not.

If they need to get $600 for the box, they're in big trouble. Otherwise, why don't they pretend their monthly fee is for the hardware - people are used to paying money to rent hardware - and include the "service" for a price people won't complain about, e.g. nothing or a buck or two.

I've had Tivo since day one, absolutely love the interface, and have sold more friends on it than Tivo's non-existent marketing department, but this is ridiculous. Reportedly most of the competing products are crap, so for the moment we're continuing to Tivo SDTV.

Still a rip off at this price. Waiting until it hits at least $299. Reduced functionality compared to Tivo2 and a monthly subscription required.

Unfortunately Tivo may eventually go the same way as Replay. There is no doubt its a superior solution to the Cable company DVRs but here is the issue. The average person (i.e. the non techie consumers who make products suceed or fail) see's it as $10 per month for a Cable Co DVR, versus a $650+ box plus $12+ per month plus in some cases $5+ per cable card.

Would like to hear a Tivo finance guy explain the successful business model behind that

HardSpike said: Wah Wah Wah!

If you'd ever actually used BOTH and Tivo and a cable company box you may be willing to pay a premium for the better product. Sure Joe Six Pack and the masses may never adopt it and Tivo might be doomed. But, it's the best product out there right now for HD and I'm willing to pay for it.

I actually own a Tivo, a Replay, Beyond TV, MSFT Media Server, Media MVP, Archos DVR and a HD Cable Company DVR so i think i have an fairly unbiased opinion.

I certainly dont mind paying a premium for a better product but outgoings over $900 over 12 months to run a Tivo 3 versus $120 for the Cable DVR is one hell of a premium to justify. And unless Tivo enables at the least the Tivo To Go and external SATA functionality they are no where close to making that premium worth it in my opinion.

Dont forget we are in the Hot Deals forum where we discuss whether something is a Hot deal or not! A Ferrari may be considered one of the best sports cars out there but that doesnt necessarily make it a hot deal.

Also you agree that Tivo may be doomed, therefore buying a Tivo 3 may be a sunk investment which reduces the viability of this being a hot deal.

My 2c

tishoo said: nynate said:
I actually own a Tivo, a Replay, Beyond TV, MSFT Media Server, Media MVP, Archos DVR and a HD Cable Company DVR so i think i have an fairly unbiased opinion.

I certainly dont mind paying a premium for a better product but outgoings over $900 over 12 months to run a Tivo 3 versus $120 for the Cable DVR is one hell of a premium to justify.

You clim to be unbiased, but as an owner of one Tivo, this second one would be eligible for Multi Service Discount and your math is WAY off. Why compare the annual cost, when you should instead compare it over a number of years?

Say $637 from this Sparco place (I wouldn't buy from them, I'd pik Costco and pay tax, but that's just me) plus 6.95x36 for service fee for 3 years = 887.68, i.e. $25 a month if you ONLY use it for 3 years!

You could chose to drop cable entirely, or simplify your package, you'd also at least save on digital outlet and box fees, and with Comcast, each CableCard would cost only under $2 per month, even IF you decide to retain your ENTIRE programming package as you have it now. So you'd save 9.95 (DVR charge) plus around $6 (digital outlet charge) per month.

25 - 10 - 6 + 2 = 11. For $11 extra a month for 3 years, you would have a vastly superior and continuously evolving/improving HD DVR for cable.

I did the math, and it was an absolute no-brainer. In fact, as soon as Tivo releases a version of code with MRV (if not TTG) enabled between S3 boxes, I'm buying a second S3 and selling my last SD TiVos


I agree over 3 years is a much better representation. But unfortunately with Cablevision there would be a $5/month charge for each cable card. Also you cannot assume that everyone will have a multi service discount so you have to account for a standard monthly Tivo service charge since that is what most people will have. If i were to buy an S3 i would drop my S2 since i have a lifetime subscription Replay and other solutions to record standard definition. Additionally if you are to account for a multi service discount you need to account for the value and monthly subscription of the other box over three years in the calculation (versus the cost of 2 cable DVR's off course). So not so much of a no brainer as you might think.

Finally, i wouldnt assume that TTG and the external SATA functions will be enabled. If you read the Tivo press and rumors there are some cablecard industry factors that may prevent them from introducing such functionality for high def recordings.

Looks like it's dead now..

"Unfortunately there are none available to ship at this time."

HardSpike said: Wah Wah Wah!

If you'd ever actually used BOTH and Tivo and a cable company box you may be willing to pay a premium for the better product. Sure Joe Six Pack and the masses may never adopt it and Tivo might be doomed. But, it's the best product out there right now for HD and I'm willing to pay for it.

I've had both and while Tivo's OS has a better response time than Charter's Moxi, I'm not paying $600 for something I get for free here.

The person that said Tivo has "no clue" is right on. They ought to GIVE away their devices and parter with Google for the purpose of putting some eye appealing advertising in the screens.

Hey, maybe Google WILL buy Tivo!

Sure enough.. now they only have 1190 left.

I got the verizon FIOS HD DVR. Although it is a little slow and cumbersome to use, it gets the job done. It has dual tuners as well and only costs $4/month extra. I would love an HD Tivo, but the price is crazy.

I agree--no Tivo love in this thread.

I'm going to counter the negativity and say how great Tivo is. Keeping in my they have a horrible business model, they have such a superior product to the rest of the competition. I hate going over to someone's home with non-Tivo DVRs, they are torture!

I can't wait to get a series 3 which I hopeful will be soon (and free thanks to Tivo rewards). I don't think I could shell out the $650 or so for it right now, but if money wasn't a big issue, I'd have had one already.

GTFan said: There is no Tivo love in this thread because at this price, it's still not a hot deal. Regardless of how you feel about the box, it's just not worth it especially with the crippled features that should've been there day 1. I agree with nynate, at $299 then we'll talk. And I bet it will be down there by end of next year, but right now you're paying the early adopter surcharge.


I agree, but if someone wants to buy this box now, this is a hot deal. I consider a hot deal getting something at a lower price than you can get it elsewhere. People can decide the merit of the product, but just because the starting price is high doesn't make this a bad deal. It may be a bad deal to you, but it is the cheapest price you can find it at, and thus a relevant and appreciated post.

you can build a real good HD HTPC for this $ and there wont be any monthly subscription fees.

rich123 said: Windows Vista Home Premium or Ultimate Media Center is supposed to support a single cable card (no need for two) using newer technology - it's supposed to be available in January with no montly fee for the proram guide from microsoft -- I'll wait
From what I've heard, PCs with cable card slots aren't supposed to be released until late 2007.

I'm going to start posting in hot deals forums about cheap PCs that it's not actually a hot deal because next year there will be a better model out for cheaper. Hot deals are about what's hot NOW in relation to an item. They are not about what's going to be hot next year. This thread is ridiculous.

Two questions for the Tivo experts.

1) Do I *need* a cable card or can I use a regular HD cable box? I am not even sure if Time Warner has CableCards - I've never seen it mentioned.

2) I have the $7.45 retention deal on my only Tivo box now. Can I either add a second box for the same price (as an additional box) *or* replace my existing one with this one?

Thanks!

Here is a nice noob question: Will this work on my directv system? I have heard conflicting reports.

Thanks in advance.

daveland said: Do I *need* a cable card or can I use a regular HD cable box? I am not even sure if Time Warner has CableCards - I've never seen it mentioned.

You don't *need* them, you only need them if you want to be able to record up to two digital cable channels at once. Without them, you can still record analog cable and also OTA digital/HD broadcasts.

The law mandates all (most) cable companies to provide cablecards to their customers. Time Warner has them, they don't advertise them because they would rather give you a cable box so they can charge you $xx every month.

navelgaze said: What I can't believe is how many suckers pay for content programming. Is cable/satellite really worth $70+ a month? For me, No thanks. I've already got too much programming recorded from regular broadcast television that I'll probably never get around to watching. Sure, there are a few pay channels I wish I had, but much of the content that I would want from them I can get from dvd later on (Sopranos, Entourage, etc.).

So, for most of you people, your "minimal" $10-$15 a month extra for a HD PVR from your cable/satellite company DOES sound great in relation to the Tivo pricing structure, UNTIL you factor in that little detail about how YOU ARE ALL PAYING A FREAKING $60-$70 A MONTH FOR THEIR UNDERLYING SERVICE BEFORE YOU EVEN GET TO THAT LITTLE $10 TO $15 ADDITION!

From my perspective and MANY people like me, we'll pay for the $650-ish Tivo 3 (and for those like me who can transfer their lifetime service over) + another $200. This $850 amount is the equivalent of skipping a single year of cable/satellite service. As a result, I will have a fully paid for Tivo 3, with no monthly fees, and (what most people are saying is) a fantastic quality OTA HD dual tuner. If I ever decide to ever pick up cable/satellite again, fine, I'll already have a very nice DVR, better than what most people are forced to live with from their cable/satellite provider.

I'm not here to suggest that my scenario will work for everyone. Far from it. BUT, there are many many many people in my same boat who are approaching a Tivo 3 purchase from this same perspective. We want high-quality dual tuner OTA HD capability, with the ease of Tivo recording. We'll take a higher upfront cost, and go on to save BIG TIME in year 2, 3, 4, etc., while the rest of you are paying $800-$1000 a year on your cable/satellite service provided DVRs/programming combo. Not an apples to apples comparison you say? Fair enough. However, I would rather pay for the cost of my oranges than the cost of your apples.


That's all well and good, but what did you think of tonight's Monday Night Football game on ESPN-HD?
Oh yeah, that's right, you couldn't watch it because it's not on free TV.

Does Tivo works with Directv?

I don't know, I think eventually Cablelabs will loosen up. Seems cablecard 1.0 has gotten pretty mixed results so if I was them, I'd be concerned about QC as well. If they just provide the card and let a big name like ATI worry about the rest (mind you they'd have oversight) I think they'd be ok. Of course, I've been wrong before.