Bargain TiVO worth going for?

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Stepdoh

16 posts

Geek

# 100524 12-Apr-2012 22:07

Returning back to NZ (Wgtn), and having got used to a PVR here was looking at the options for a freeview one there. Noticed that TiVO boxes are selling rather a lot cheaper than I'd seen them in the past.

I'm aware that it's a bit of a dying platform, but looking mainly to use it as a PVR (similar to how I use our similarly unsuccessful TopUp TV box here).

Is it worth investing in, plus telephone & bb from someone, or should I just go to telstra? Don't really want to (indirectly) give Mr Murdoch a chunk of my salary every month, so don't really want (my)sky.

mattwnz

15152 posts

Uber Geek

# 608536 12-Apr-2012 22:19

Stepdoh: Returning back to NZ (Wgtn), and having got used to a PVR here was looking at the options for a freeview one there. Noticed that TiVO boxes are selling rather a lot cheaper than I'd seen them in the past.

I'm aware that it's a bit of a dying platform, but looking mainly to use it as a PVR (similar to how I use our similarly unsuccessful TopUp TV box here).

Is it worth investing in, plus telephone & bb from someone, or should I just go to telstra? Don't really want to (indirectly) give Mr Murdoch a chunk of my salary every month, so don't really want (my)sky.

Telecom have been giving away tivos if you signup to broadband for a year, and mention you heard about the promotion. I got one this week, so it should still be running, but you would need to order quickly I think, otherwise you may miss out. Also what do you mean it is dying technology?

Stepdoh

16 posts

Geek

# 608538 12-Apr-2012 22:23

Thanks for the info, will have a look into it, although may be a month or so till we're settled so may miss the promotion. Mistyped about the dying technology bit, just read that Hybrid TV were looking a bit shaky, so suspect the value add services such as CASPAR may become a bit more restricted.

Would be happy if it's a good solid PVR though. Some of the other freeview options look a bit shonky to be honest (Magic TV aside, but that's significantly more expensive)

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

# 608546 12-Apr-2012 22:31

I never considered CASPA to be worthwhile anyway so in my view it can't become more restricted as it is rubbish anyway.

Tivo is a good solid PVR though. You might be able to get Noel Leeming or Bond and Bond to sell for $199 if you can't get one from Telecom. $199 is the special price they've done a few times recently.

mattwnz

15152 posts

Uber Geek

# 608553 12-Apr-2012 22:40

Stepdoh: Thanks for the info, will have a look into it, although may be a month or so till we're settled so may miss the promotion. Mistyped about the dying technology bit, just read that Hybrid TV were looking a bit shaky, so suspect the value add services? such as CASPAR may become a bit more restricted.

Would be happy if it's a good solid PVR though. Some of the other freeview options look a bit shonky to be honest (Magic TV aside, but that's significantly more expensive)

You don't need to worry about using casper. Just think of it as a bonus. IN the future they may do something with it. Not sure if it is my imagination, but there does seem to be some new stuff on it.

mattwnz

15152 posts

Uber Geek

# 608554 12-Apr-2012 22:41

graemeh: I never considered CASPA to be worthwhile anyway so in my view it can't become more restricted as it is rubbish anyway.

Tivo is a good solid PVR though. You might be able to get Noel Leeming or Bond and Bond to sell for $199 if you can't get one from Telecom. $199 is the special price they've done a few times recently.

Or trade me you may get one for even less, as I think quite a few people got them free from telecom as part of the promo, and sold them.

Kiwi1971

693 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 608610 13-Apr-2012 08:47

mattwnz:
Or trade me you may get one for even less, as I think quite a few people got them free from telecom as part of the promo, and sold them.

But try to get one that hasn't been registered. Some people have had issues where the seller isn't particularly cooperative with regard to getting round to deactivating it or providing the login details to let you change the owner details.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

# 608612 13-Apr-2012 08:50

Stepdoh: Returning back to NZ (Wgtn), and having got used to a PVR here was looking at the options for a freeview one there. Noticed that TiVO boxes are selling rather a lot cheaper than I'd seen them in the past.

I'm aware that it's a bit of a dying platform, but looking mainly to use it as a PVR (similar to how I use our similarly unsuccessful TopUp TV box here).

Is it worth investing in, plus telephone & bb from someone, or should I just go to telstra? Don't really want to (indirectly) give Mr Murdoch a chunk of my salary every month, so don't really want (my)sky.

Telstra's TV service is almost entirely just retransmitting sky anyway, so both Sky and Telstra involve Murdoch

BlueShift

1457 posts

Uber Geek

# 608638 13-Apr-2012 09:49

I have a Tivo, it is a good, solid PVR, and a bargain at $200ish. I paid $360 for mine, and don't feel ripped off.
As others have said, the CASPA stuff is iffy, but could improve if Tivo or a partner decide to jump on the VOD bandwagon.

I'm thinking about getting another one, since the kids keep clogging it up with cartoons & stuff.

CutCutCut

933 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 608652 13-Apr-2012 10:14

I got a TiVo around the Boxing day sales and we are real TiVo fans now. Simple to use. Works well for the most part. A real bargin at $200 I think.

GeekGuy

463 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 608658 13-Apr-2012 10:34

Bond and Bond have it for $199 till the end of today.
http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/shop/tv-home-theatre/freeview/telecom-tivo/prod114394.html

allan

1177 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

# 608682 13-Apr-2012 11:14

Couldn't agree more about the Tivo. Works great (my wife can drive it), reliably records what you want. I've never had it miss a beat with Season Pass recordings and the ability to remotely book recordings with the mytivo web interface works well.

My only real gripe is that if you are doing consecutive recordings on the same channel, it insists on using the second tuner.

edge

333 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 608709 13-Apr-2012 11:46

allan: Couldn't agree more about the Tivo. Works great (my wife can drive it), reliably records what you want. I've never had it miss a beat with Season Pass recordings and the ability to remotely book recordings with the mytivo web interface works well.

My only real gripe is that if you are doing consecutive recordings on the same channel, it insists on using the second tuner.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I agree entirely with the above. Its been fantastic since we got ours at $200 a few months ago. Even my wife thinks it was a great idea - high praise indeed. Simple to operate and allows for much more efficient use of one's time!!

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

# 608714 13-Apr-2012 11:53

allan: my wife can drive it

Never underestimate this one :-)

CutCutCut

933 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 608721 13-Apr-2012 12:14

edge:
allan: Couldn't agree more about the Tivo. Works great (my wife can drive it), reliably records what you want. I've never had it miss a beat with Season Pass recordings and the ability to remotely book recordings with the mytivo web interface works well.

My only real gripe is that if you are doing consecutive recordings on the same channel, it insists on using the second tuner.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I agree entirely with the above. Its been fantastic since we got ours at $200 a few months ago. Even my wife thinks it was a great idea - high praise indeed. Simple to operate and allows for much more efficient use of one's time!!

Yes my wife was highly sceptical but now I barely am allowed the remoted! That's another thing, the remote is great!