Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

mh0ffmann · Sep 23, 2003, 12:06 PM

I know, this question is not Mac-related at all, but you're a fairly knowledgeable bunch, so here it goes anyhow.

Is it REALLY necessary to get the monthly service that TiVo says is "required" to use its devices? i.e. Will the machine operate if no such service plan is purchased?

I live in Peru, a country for which TV listings are not available under any TiVo service plan, but I'd still LOVE to use TiVo's other features like time-shifting and program recording (albeit using the VCR-style channel-date-and-time information).

Any experience on this?

Thanks.

Mark

jamerican · Sep 23, 2003, 12:15 PM

If the listings are not available, then I would think that you do not need the monthly service. It updates the program guide every two weeks (in my case) so that I can select - in advance - the programs that I want to record.
However, if there are software updates, you will not receive them. I still do not think that will affect you if you only want to use it for recording. Hope this helps.

LeeG · Sep 23, 2003, 12:45 PM

I have heard you do not need the service, but the TiVo will constantly remind you that your schedule needs updating, you can still pause, ff/rew, and sched recordings manually.

The authority on this is www.tivocommunity.com

the more 'underground' forums on the subject are at www.dealdatabase.com

(this above site is censored out of any posts at tivocommunity.com)

Lee

subego · Sep 23, 2003, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by LeeG:
you can still pause, ff/rew, and sched recordings manually.

Pretty sure its no-go on the manually scheduled recordings. The TiVo sets its clock through the service, so it'll never know what time it is. I think you can still time shift. Don't know if you can record.

I second the tivocommunity forum as the place to go to get exhaustive details.

DigitalEl · Sep 24, 2003, 12:32 AM

As far as material things go, I like only my PowerBook more than my TiVo. The Series I TiVos can be used, in some rudimentary ways, without the service. The newer (current), Series II machines cannot... Unless there's some new hack I've not heard of.

That being said, you want the service. Just like a Mac isn't a Mac without the OS, a TiVo isn't a TiVo without the service. That's the beauty of it. The $13 is money well spent. That's a couple of fast-food lunches or three vodka/tonics. Get the TiVo. Get the service. Do it today.

I live in Peru, a country for which TV listings are not available under any TiVo service plan, but I'd still LOVE to use TiVo's other features like time-shifting and program recording (albeit using the VCR-style channel-date-and-time information).

D'oh! Maybe I should read the whole thread before posting. Sorry. Take the advice above and visit the TiVo Community for the answer you seek. Good luck.

mh0ffmann · Sep 24, 2003, 09:27 AM

Thank you all for your input. The sites indicated do indeed provide much of the functionality I'd like on a TiVo... and it seems I'll have to go with a Series I (cheap on eBay).

Either that, or get a cheapo computer to run Linux and FreeVo.

Thanks again.

Mark

SomeToast · Sep 24, 2003, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by DigitalEl:
That being said, you want the service. Just like a Mac isn't a Mac without the OS, a TiVo isn't a TiVo without the service. That's the beauty of it. The $13 is money well spent.

And the $5 for DirecTV combo unit owners, even more so!

Arkham_c · Sep 24, 2003, 11:16 AM

If you live outside of TiVo's service area, I don't think it will really suit your needs. Look into one of the other tools like eyeTV. It used TitanTV for its show listing service. TiVo uses Zap2It/Tribune for comparison.