TiVO as VCR without subscription?

[ShivaDude]

I've never seen this addressed before.

Can you use a TiVO device as a VCR without the subscription? I have no problem programming a VCR and I don't need the TV listing. Is there an option on that device to set a recording time manually?

[KYUSS]

there is an unofficial tivo forum m8......they would be able to tell you better i think

[andkiich]

Yes, there is, but I think with the neweer machines, you have to have a valid subscription before it will let you record anything.

If I am wrong, could another fellow TIVO owner please correct me?!

[gcutler]

If I remember correctly, if the machine came with Version 1 or Version 2 of the OS, it would work as a basic VCR type machine without sub. But I believe v2.5 or v3.0 was where they took away that loophole.

I'm not sure if I take my original 1.x machine (now at 3.0) and do a total system reset if it will go back to the original loopholeable OS???

And I believe the Series 2 machines all started at 2.5 or 3.0 where the loophole had been removed.

This is all from the deep dark recesses of my memory, so the #s may be off???

[ShivaDude]

Maybe it'll be better just to get a different HD recorder (without TiVO) to use as a recorder.

Problem is there aren't many out there. The Panasonic's are mostly DVD recorders with hard disks if I remember.

[Ste]

I saw this niffty thing in a Circuit City ad a while back:

http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI700611-CI700297,00.html?

It's cool because you still get to take advantage of the GUIDE Plus+ system, so it's a lot like a TiVO but without a monthly charge. And it's got a built in DVD player so you can move your old one into the bedroom or something.

[ShivaDude]

That's pretty good. Kinda expensive though considering you can get a Series1 Tivo on eBay (refurb model) for around $100-$150.

Check this out:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3066701081&category=11725

From the description:

Unlike the series2 units, they can be used as a digital VCR without the TiVo service, or subscribe to the TiVo service to take full advantage of all benefits of the TiVo.

Interesting. I think it's the Series1's that you can also extract the video to your computer pretty easily.[/url]

[andkiich]

Problem though with the series one's is that if you ever do get a subscription to TIVO, DirecTV will try and upgrade your software. Just FYI.

[ShivaDude]

Do you have to go through DirectTV though? I have cable. I thought since it plugged into a phone line it was independent of your TV service provider?

[Ste]

DirecTV has nothing to do with TiVo except for those new DirecTV tuners with a TiVo built inside of them:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1064607639887&skuId=6095986&type=product

That eBay item, from a couple posts up, is not one of these DirecTV/TiVo combos, so DirecTV has no influence what-so-ever on the service.

DirecTV used to use the UltimateTV program for their DVR recordings, but now they made a deal with TiVo to use their stuff. You won't find any new UltimateTV units, but DirecTV will continue to support the service.

[andkiich]

DirecTV owns TIVO, so getting a TIVO subscritpion is buying something from DirecTV. Not necessarily the satellite service, but the TIVO service.

A stand alone TIVO will work with any cable or sat box.

[next]

I saw this niffty thing in a Circuit City ad a while back:

http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI700611-CI700297,00.html?

It's cool because you still get to take advantage of the GUIDE Plus+ system, so it's a lot like a TiVO but without a monthly charge. And it's got a built in DVD player so you can move your old one into the bedroom or something.

The RCA Scenium is sub $200 now. I own one and it works great. The Guide+ is free so it is a very reasonable compromise.

[ShivaDude]

Really?

Do you have a link for that price? I did a Google search and came up with nada.

Can you output the video to another device if you want to archive off the HD?

[next]

Really?

Do you have a link for that price? I did a Google search and came up with nada.

Can you output the video to another device if you want to archive off the HD?

Sorry for the answers but they are "no" and "no".

The Sceniums are more than likely gone. Circuit City had a barn burner sale the past 6 months.

And there is no output capabilities.

I simply park captures - more of time shift mechanism. It works great.

[spiderman2k1]

When I was watch TECHTV they showed off the new Pioneer DVD-R Tivo. when i was watch it I think they said if you want basic service it is free. But if you want to really get all the extra of what the Tivo can do you had to pay for it.

[gcutler]

The Basic TiVo service only seems to be available to joint ventures like the Pioneer DVD Burner you mentioned or the Toshiba DVD Player. TiVo on its own (without a joint producer) dosen't deal with "TiVo Basic".

And when you add the pretty expensive price Tag of these joint products, they seem to be more expensive than a TiVo with a lifetime service. Perhaps when these units are marked down due to newer products they may be a good deal of using the TiVo Basic service. But right now the only way get an inexpensive TiVo to do basic recording is the find a Stand Alone Series 1 that hasn't had the SW upgraded (or at least replace the drive with one with an older OS...