Does TIVO allow manual programming w/o paying subscription?

[louv68]

I think paying a monthly fee for something that I could easily do is BS

[ebonovic]

See www.tivocommunity.com for more details and a better forum for your question.....

However:
Yep, it is a little BS especially for the Non-DirecTV versions of Tivo.
$13 a month is a little steep to get the guide data, and the suggestions.

But that is the Power of Tivo... the Season Passes, the WishList, Thumbs Down/Up ratings, Suggestions... With out the guide data it can't do that.

In your case, you want a HDR Hard Drive Recorder (vs VCR).
By manual setting up all the recordings, you are missing what makes TiVo... TiVo.

BTW: If you have DirecTV, the DVR functionality is only $5 a month, and that is a one time fee for the account... not per unit.
I have 5 DirecTivo's in my home, and I only pay the one $5 fee.

After getting my first TiVo... Can't watch TV without it. VERY much worth the $5 fee.

I am not 100% sure with the non-DirecTV versions, but the DirecTV version REQUIRES the additional $5 fee, to do any additional DVR functions. (If you cancel the DVR feature, then you can watch what you have already recorded, you just can't record any more).

I am fairly sure (about 90%) that the same is true for the StandAlone Versions as weel.

[JSquare]

I think paying a monthly fee for something that I could easily do is BS

No on Series 2 SA, some old Series 1 SA with specific OS version will allow manual recording but you don't get a guide and a nag screen comes out from time to time. Go to http://dealdatabase.com/forum/index.php? for more info. I tried several times to build HTPC or PC based PVR and nothing could match the Tivo or ReplayTV abilities in this area, if you don't want to pay a monthly or lifetime subscription fee then find a unit with Tivo Basic like the Toshiba from Bestbuy on sale this week for $200.