Both WeaKnees and TiVoLovers are reporting that TiVo now allows you to transfer a lifetime subscription from a DirecTiVo to a Series 3 TiVo. Previously, this transfer option was only available for non-DIRECTV TiVos. According to WeaKnees, this offer is available until 12/31 so you better hurry if you are going to do it.

I haven’t been able to find anything on TiVo’s website that says they are offering this promotion. Somebody on TiVoLover’s website has said that this offer does work however; I would still recommend that you call (866-424-8486) just to make sure that you can in fact transfer your lifetime subscription. I’d hate to see somebody buy a S3 and not be able to transfer the subscription.

Thanks MegaZone!

Dell is offering one hell of a deal on the Series 3 TiVo. For $588.16 you can get a Series 3 TiVo with free shipping! This deal is almost too good to be true and it seriously has me thinking about picking up one for myself. In order to get the lower price, you need to add it to your shopping cart. According to TCO, this offer is only good through 12/21 @ 7AM CST.

Update: Digg this post here.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve received several emails and comments letting me know that they enjoy reading this site and that it would be a shame if I decided to stop blogging about TiVo all together. To this end, I’ve decided that I am not going to give up on TiVo and that I plan on blogging about TiVo in the near future. I took a break from TiVo for a number of reasons but mainly it was because I was (am) disappointed with their new pricing structure. As I’ve said on a number of occasions, I don’t like how TiVo’s new pricing structure forces the consumer to subscribe for three years in order to get the best rate. The new pricing structure is what it is and there is nothing I can do about it other then to say that I don’t agree with it. I’ve considered starting up a new site to blog about DVR news in general but because of restrictions on my free time, I don’t think I could currently cover all DVR news adequately. That may change in the future so don’t be surprised if you see a new website launched….

Even though I’m not happy with the new pricing structure, I think it would be a shame for me to stop blogging about TiVo simply because I don’t with their new pricing. I love TiVo the product and because of this I still want to cover TiVo via this blog. In the future I plan on still recommending TiVo to my family and friends however, I will also point out the fact that in order to get the best monthly rate you really need to sign up for a three year commitment. Have I said before that the new pricing plan sucks?

I plan on getting back into this blog after the first of the year. Between now and then I am going to finish up some projects that I have around the house and enjoy spending time with my family during the holiday season. Needless to say, I’d appreciate it if you stay subscribed and continue to send me TiVo news tips or questions. I really do appreciate all the support I’ve received from the faithful readers of this site. Thanks for reading TiVoBlog.com and for understanding why I had to take a break.

I wish everybody a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year.
- Alex

Yesterday’s news really has me wondering what the future of this site will be. I truly think I am going to find it hard for me to recommend TiVo when the product requires you to sign up to a three year commitment in order to get a decent monthly rate. I know what some people are happy with the new pricing structure but, I’m really don’t like how the new pricing structure is laid out. Because of this, I think I am going to take the next couple days to decide what I want to do with this site.

I really do love TiVo but I feel like the company has made some poor decisions over the past couple of months (ie: the initial price of the Series 3 TiVo). I guess what I am trying to say is that I just need a little time to figure out what I’m going to do. I really have had a lot of fun meeting new people and covering TiVo news and I’d hate to see that come to an end…..

One of the biggest TiVo evangelists (MegaZone) has broken down the new pricing plan that has so many people seem to be irritated with. In his post, MegaZone does a great job explaining what the differences are. Check it out if you’re at all confused with the new pricing structure.

After reviewing his post, I guess I realized that I shouldn’t have called my previous post “TiVo Raises Rates. What Are They Thinking?“. Instead I probably should have called it, “TiVo Raises Some Rates And Lowers Others…”. The bottom line is that TiVo has raised some rates while lowering others. MegaZone does a good job explaining this in his post.

The main reason why I am so irritated with this new pricing structure is simply because it requires you to commit to three years if you want to get the lower rates. Personally, I like purchasing my TiVo from a brick and mortar store and then paying the $12.95 per month for service. Under the new plan, I am required to commit to three years in order to get the same deal. If I only want to commit to one year, I am required to pay $19.95/month under the new plan :(. Let’s be realistic, who wants to commit to any technology for three years? I know I’m a little reluctant to do it.

I’m also kind of irritated with the new multi-service discount offering. I would guess that people who take advantage of the multi-service discount tend to be “advanced” TiVo users or the type of customer that you don’t want to alienate. What TiVo did to the mult-service discount is not good.

Does anybody else agree with my analysis or have I simply exaggerated the situation? I’d like to hear what other people have to say….

Update 11/06 @ 8:30PM EST: I’ve published a related post here.

I just received an email from Dave Zatz letting me know that TiVo has decided to raise their monthly service rates and screw around with the multi-service discount. Here’s how the new plan will work:

• If you choose the monthly TiVo Package Payment Plan, your options are as follows: (a) Commit to the TiVo Package for three (3) years at $12.95 per month; (b) Commit to the TiVo Package for two (2) years at $14.95 per month; or (c) Commit to the TiVo Package for one (1) year at $19.95 per month. Promotional Pricing may be available from time-to-time.
• Alternatively, you may prepay for your TiVo Package Payment Plan for either three (3) years at $349, two (2) years at $299, or one (1) year at $199. Promotional Pricing may be available from time-to-time.

Here’s how the new multi-service discount will work:

• The MULTI-SERVICE DISCOUNT reduces the Monthly TiVo service or TiVo Plus service subscription fee by $6 per month to $6.95 per month for (3) years; $8.95 per month for (2) years; or $13.95 per month for (1) year

What is TiVo thinking? Even though I’m truly one of the biggest TiVo fanboys, I don’t think I will be able to recommend TiVo to any of my friends given the new pricing structure. In fact, to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure what I would do if my TiVo were to die tomorrow. $19.95/month is a lot of cash especially when I already pay $80 for a cable bill. I really hope TiVo takes a closer look at this new pricing structure and realizes that it’s not going to get them new customers and that old customers may decide against buy another TiVo or recommending the service to their friends and family.

Right now, I am really discouraged and irritated by this decision. I understand that the company is trying to turn a profit but raising rates is definitely not a good thing. What does everybody else think of this? Is this going to make you think twice about recommending a TiVo or purchasing your first TiVo DVR?

Hat Tip: Dave Zatz (Digg here)

Since the TCO 15% coupon has almost expired, I thought I would mention the fact that Costco is selling the Series 3 TiVo for $699.99. I know $699.99 is still a lot of money but it sure is better then paying $799.99.

I really can’t wait to see what the Series 3 TiVo will cost just before Christmas. If I can get it for around $500, I’ll probably pick one up. Until then, I’m stuck using my outdated Series 2 TiVo and watching all my high def content live :(. I could go with my cable companies’ DVR but then I would feel like a trader.

Spotted on TCO.

The newly opened TiVoCommunity Store is offering a 15% discount on any item in the store.  This discount allows you to get a Series 3 TiVo for $680 instead of $800.  While $680 is still a lot of money, it sure is better then $800.  If you want to take advantage of this offer, you need to enter TCDEAL into the coupon code textbox when you checkout.  Apparently the offer ends on Sunday so you better hurry!

Spotted on ZatzNotFunny.

The folks over at WeaKnees.com have a great deal for anybody who is in the market for a Series 3 TiVo.  If you order one of their high end Series 3 TiVos ($1599), they will take $75 off the price of the device and give you a $130 gift certificate.  If $1599 sounds like a lot of money, you can also purchase a stock TiVo for $799 and get $120 back ($45 instant savings & $75 gift certificate).  I personally think this is the best deal.  After all, you can buy two stock Series 3 TiVos for the price of one $1599 TiVo.  I guess it all comes down to what you want….

Additional information on how this all works can be found on the WeaKnees blog.  If you do decide to take advantage of this offer, I’d really appreciate it if you put me down as your referrer when you setup your TiVo (raianoat AT gmail DOT com). 

I’ve been extremely busy lately working on my bathroom and other important stuff. That being said, there has been a lot of important TiVo that I haven’t had time to cover.

• What Happened To TiVoToGo On The Series 3 TiVo?
• More TiVo Vs. EchoStar News
• Are There Problems With The Series 3 TiVo Remote?
• TiVoCast Now Available Via TiVo Central Online
• Yet Another Interesting TiVo Marketing Strategy
• TiVo - It’s All About Family
• How To Save $20 On The Purchase Of A Series 3 TiVo