The other day a buddy of mine asked me if I was going to buy a Series3 TiVo as soon as it is released. Initially I said yes however, now I’m starting to think that I might wait a little while before I throw down my hard earned cash.
Like most first generation technologies, I expect the Series3 TiVo to have some hardware and software issues. TiVo is normally pretty good about releasing a product that is relatively bug free however, the Series3 TiVo is a big jump in technology and there are bound to be problems (IMHO).
This may all change of course once the box is released and I read some of the reviews. Also, if the DVR comes in at a decent price then I may decide that it is worth the risk. Don’t forget that I just purchased a $2,200 TV so my technology budget has been reduced somewhat 
.
I know that I’ve been pestering TiVo about releasing this device however, I want to make sure that when I buy the device is solid and that I don’t have to worry about any issues.
Does anybody know if the first generation Series1 and Series2 TiVos had issues when they were first released? I’ve only had my TiVo for two years now so I don’t have any experience with a first generation device. When I purchased my TiVo, the Series2 TiVo had been out for quite some time.
Are you planning on getting a Series3 TiVo as soon as it is released or are you going to wait?
I’ve owned Series1 and Series2 TiVos. NEVER a single problem. Once an upgrade drive I’d put in died (recently). Went online, found the right PTVUpgrade.com CD to fix it, bought it, new drive, bang — working again.
Unlike any other company’s stuff, TiVo’s hardware’s always worked out of the box, as promised, early version or not. When there have been minor software issues, they’re piped into the box quickly and efficiently. They’re very NOT Apple that way (he says as he types this on his hot, mooing MacBook . . .)
Anand
TiVo lost me as a future customer the second they changed their pricing policy
I ordered my first S2 almost the day they went up for sale on TiVo.com – I’d been waiting for them to be up for order. The only issue was some video quality, but that was fixed in a software fix fairly quickly. Never regretted it.
I plan on buying an S3 right away – but the deciding factor will be budget. If I can afford it I’ll buy it right away, otherwise as soon as I can swing it.
Personally, I’m not sure as of yet. I agree that pricing is definitely an issue for me as I plan not to put a lot of money into this. Additionally, I’m going to keep my Series 2 so I can just run the S3 (whenever I get it) for only $7/month (I have lifetime on my S2). That said, my budget will be a big factor.
The other big factor for me will simply be necessity. While I love the idea of being able to record 2 shows at once, I’m not sure it would be THAT much of a draw for me, since shows overlapping is rarely a problem for me, and I almost never need to watch live TV on a different channel while recording something else. Also, I don’t have HDTV and don’t plan on having it for a while since affording an HD ready TV is simply out of my budget as of now. In addition, I don’t even have digital cable (which I may get one day), and even if I did, I understand there are issues with CableCard in the sense that eventually 2.0 will come out. Do I wait for any or all of these things to happen to get the S3?
I think the most obvious thing for me is that I can say without a doubt that I won’t buy it right away. Now whether I purchase it within the first few months is the question, which, funny enough, after writing this comment, I think I’m now less likely to do than I was before!
Dual-tuner box that doesn’t support DirecTV (even with two tuner boxes)…
not interested.
I’ll definitely be a immediate purchaser. I was an early upgrade to previous new TiVo technologies (S2, Pioneer burner), and I had no early-adopter issues.
We’ve now got a HD front-projector in our home tv setup, and I’m not getting the benefit of the HD programming because I’ve found that except on rare occasions, I’m not willing to lose the TiVo experience to get the gorgeous HD picture. Dual-tuner for me is just gravy.
So I’m dying for an HD TiVo, and the S3 is the one I’m waiting for. I’ll have one on Day 1. Here’s hoping it isn’t outrageously priced.
I hope to buy a HDTV and a Series 3 by years end…
Maybe. Depends on price. I only have analog cable and get HDTV via OTA and I already have 2 DVRs so the dual tuners aren’t a necessity.
I’d also keep my current S2 (on lifetime) so I could get a discount on the subscription. I hate their new pricing plans.
I bought a first gen S1 and didn’t have issues. I also bought a S2 almost right when it came out and it also didn’t have issues.
Sure, software updates will make things better but I’m not worried that the first gen S3 models will have any major problems or shortcomings.
I’d like to buy it immediately, but I’ll probably wait to see how it works with my cable provider. I also plan on getting an HDTV at the same time, so my budget might be an issue too.
It will depend on the price. Right now, I can’t justify spending the rumored $800 for the device plus a monthly fee when we have a cable HD DVR that only costs $9/month.
If it’s in the $200-$300 range, and under $20 a month, then I’ll buy…maybe.
Being that I’, one of the 1/4 to 1/3 of subscription TV customers for whom the Series3 would be a really expensive paperweight, plus one of the 2/3 to 3/4 for whom it offers no value over the Series2 DT I’m going to say no.
Are cable companies “required” to offer cablecard support? I’m wondering if my cable provider (Adelphia, Upsate NY) even offers a cablecard.
I’m on the bandwagon IMMEDIATELY. I suffered through two months of the Sony HDD units (several), then gave up. It was a stopgap, but, even at that, I couldn’t STAND the TVGOS. As soon as the S3 hits the stores, I’m on it like a fly on poop!
Alex,
Yes, all cable companies are required by law to offer cablecard. However, there’s no regulation of what they charge you. It could be equal to or even greater than what they charge you for your STB, although I don’t think I’ve heard of a company in any market charging such. (most charge slightly less for the card)
I think waiting would be the best option. Its never a great idea to buy the newest product as soon as it comes out. But I guess it depends on the price tag and we’ve had no comments from TiVo on that as yet.