No Tivo Subscription....works ok? -- TiVo Premiere Series 4 DVR TCD746320

Originally Posted by Chris Albert 

Hi,
Sifted through many threads but before spending the money wanted to get some feedback from those in the know...
I just want a decent OTA tuner...will this work ok without the subscription?

- Can you organise the list of OTA channels, add labels etc

- Wondering what kind of functionality it has
(I just received a Channel Master CM-7001 and you can't even edit the channel list...sending back)

Originally Posted by demonfoo 

If you get a new, or otherwise unused unit, you'll be able to run Guided Setup and at least get your channel lineup from TiVo. However, you won't get guide data once your ~1 week of free trial runs out.

Well, what sort of functionality are you expecting? It's a DVR, and it's focused primarily on DVR-type operation. If you aren't paying for the TiVo service, you can't record shows, and you won't get guide data - all you'll get is the ability to watch shows and trick-play functionality (pause for up to 30 mins, rewind/ffwd on live buffer).

Originally Posted by Emaych 

Just got TiVo and paid for the full ride, lifetime and all that, however have not had it hooked into the internet since the initial setup routine where it "activated" itself. Since I don't use what it seems like you are paying for with the lifetime thing, i.e., the guide data, it had me to wondering if I did not need the subscription at all -- if I couldn't just buy a box, set it up for channels etc., and do what I do now: thereafter set up only manual recordings from programming info pulled from the internet, while recieving only OTA and CLEAR QAM direct from cable without a digital box.

But you seem to say here that recordings are not possible, even if you make no use of their guide data? Thanks!

Originally Posted by demonfoo 

You can do manual recordings, as long as the last time the unit talked to TiVo, your subscription was current - though the clock is also updated when it contacts TiVo, so the unit's clock may drift forward or backward as time passes. I believe the info from the TiVo service has a "good through" date though, so if you haven't reconnected and re-verified your subscription before the unit's clock passes the "good through" date, the TiVo will also stop allowing you to record.

You don't have to use their guide data, but unless TiVo goes out of business and signals all boxes that "we're gone, no more guide data, just run forever", you will have to pay for a subscription (whether it's monthly, yearly or Product Lifetime). TiVo makes all the actual profit on their retail devices through the guide data service, and they've set the software up to prevent you from being able to record indefinitely without paying money for the service.

Originally Posted by Emaych 

..... Of course another thing I found out in my quest for info was that the FCC has granted cable cos the right to scramble their CLEAR QAM now, which will have me scrambling for another solution if ever implemented....

Originally Posted by WS65711 

Just get a CableCard from your CableCo for $2 a month and you're good to go . . .

Originally Posted by Chris Albert 

Thanks demon...just looking for ota tuner basically, no recording needed.

You can get tivos for $60 on eBay, better than paying $125 for a atsc set top box like the Channel Master I just received that has no list of channels at all. Will send it back I think.

I use an rs40 projector so I need a tuner. Tried the hdhomerun but the play back is crappy through my HTPC and I'm sick of jacking with drivers etc.

For movie and blu ray I use a Dune h1 which is great.

Originally Posted by WS65711 

Just get a CableCard from your CableCo for $2 a month and you're good to go . . .