Anyone subscribe to TiVo?

[Tiger926]

We have had Bell PVR free for the past year, but it ends this month. Looked at rental fees, and they are up to $20.00/month as they only have HD PVRs now. No thanks!

We have started researching our options, and there aren't many. Anyone subscribe to TiVo? If so, can you give me price, do you like it, etc.?

I went on their Canadian website, but it doesn't seem to be updated. I can purchase a TiVo unit at Best Buy for $189.00.

Any info would be appreciated, Tiger

 

[twokids0204]

I just switched (2 weeks ago) from Bell to Rogers, for all my services.

- Home Phone
- TV
- Internet

I found Bell very intermitent at best in there service.
When I moved to Rogers they have a promo called the "WINBACK" offer. If you come from Bell, and you switch to Rogers, they will give you a FREE HD PVR (you own it).

Now if switching is NOT an option, here's a little more advice. When I told them I wanted to cancel because I was switching, they (BELL) sent me to the "Retention" department. They asked "What can we do to get you to stay?" I told them I was getting the free HD PVR. They asked if they were to give me one, would I consider staying with BELL.
For me the internet was horrible - frequest disconnects, and horrible tech support. So staying was not an option. But if you do not want to switch, they don't have to know that. Simply play the game with them. Tell them you want to switch providers, unless they can do something to keep you.
Note: When you do go through the retention dept. they normally WILL do something for you, but you will have to agree to a contract (not cancel your service) for usually a period of 2 years.

Good luck.

 

[Tiger926]

I just switched (2 weeks ago) from Bell to Rogers, for all my services.

- Home Phone
- TV
- Internet

I found Bell very intermitent at best in there service.
When I moved to Rogers they have a promo called the "WINBACK" offer. If you come from Bell, and you switch to Rogers, they will give you a FREE HD PVR (you own it).

Now if switching is NOT an option, here's a little more advice. When I told them I wanted to cancel because I was switching, they (BELL) sent me to the "Retention" department. They asked "What can we do to get you to stay?" I told them I was getting the free HD PVR. They asked if they were to give me one, would I consider staying with BELL.
For me the internet was horrible - frequest disconnects, and horrible tech support. So staying was not an option. But if you do not want to switch, they don't have to know that. Simply play the game with them. Tell them you want to switch providers, unless they can do something to keep you.
Note: When you do go through the retention dept. they normally WILL do something for you, but you will have to agree to a contract (not cancel your service) for usually a period of 2 years.

Good luck.

BTDT with Bell with the Loyalty and Retention Departments. Our service with Bell is very good - phone, Internet and satellite. We are even contemplating switching our cell phones as my corporate rate is a bit better than DH's (I'm a teacher, and they have an awesome offer right now). So, get monthly loyalty discounts and bundle discounts, which are pretty good. Thanks for the advice.

We have been looking at TiVo, but not much info, and I don't know anyone who has it. We've also been looking at Rogers - website is confusing as the TV packages don't seem to have anywhere near the amount of stations that Bell has, plus there are no bundle discounts. Also, I don't see my city on the list, so I don't think I can get Rogers here.

We are calling Bell tomorrow to see what they say. We've always had good luck and service with Bell, so hopefully, we do tomorrow too!

Thanks so much, Tiger

 

[bdoyledimou]

I am on Rogers for Cable, but use Tivo as my DVR.

Note that it does NOT support HDTV in canada (yet at least) so factor that into your decision.

I love the service so much, i have 3 of them in my home, and have used the service since it became available in Canada.
I do have to pay the monthly fee on each, but the first one is $15 and the next two are $9.
You can record on one channel and watch on another, you can transfer the show between the tivos (if you have a home network). I even have a program which allows me to connect to my HTPC to watch movies stored there on whatever TV i happen to be watching.

Keep in mind that the monthly fee covers ONLINE programming (meaning you can log into your tivo from ANY web browser and schedule it to record a show that you forgot about.. and by any i even mean your cell phone) as well as the Guide details.

It is very flexable and easy to use. it even has a Kid Only mode which records all sorts of kids shows.

(and for the record, i am NOT a tivo employee .. feel free to PM me with any questions you have.


ETA --- Tivo is NOT a cable service.. they do not provide programming, only scheduling, recording and playback of your existing service.. it works with Sattallite as well as Cable...

 

[Tiger926]

I am on Rogers for Cable, but use Tivo as my DVR.

Note that it does NOT support HDTV in canada (yet at least) so factor that into your decision.

I love the service so much, i have 3 of them in my home, and have used the service since it became available in Canada.
I do have to pay the monthly fee on each, but the first one is $15 and the next two are $9.
You can record on one channel and watch on another, you can transfer the show between the tivos (if you have a home network). I even have a program which allows me to connect to my HTPC to watch movies stored there on whatever TV i happen to be watching.

Keep in mind that the monthly fee covers ONLINE programming (meaning you can log into your tivo from ANY web browser and schedule it to record a show that you forgot about.. and by any i even mean your cell phone) as well as the Guide details.

It is very flexable and easy to use. it even has a Kid Only mode which records all sorts of kids shows.

(and for the record, i am NOT a tivo employee .. feel free to PM me with any questions you have.


ETA --- Tivo is NOT a cable service.. they do not provide programming, only scheduling, recording and playback of your existing service.. it works with Sattallite as well as Cable...

Thanks! I just sent a PM to you, Tiger

 

[ccudmore]

I'm also using Rogers as my cable provider but use TiVo for my PVR. It's really sad that you can't use the TiVo-HD with Canadian TV service (thank the CRTC and their capitulation to the cable companies) for that. After using a TiVo PVR I could never go back to using any other PVR on the market.

Things I can do on my TiVo that I can't do on any other PVR:
- program the PVR from iPhone or on the web
- view what I have recorded on my PVR from my iPhone
- transfer the content onto my computer or iPhone to watch it on the go
- have it recommend shows that I may like based on what I've already watched
- record on one TiVo and watch it on another one
- separate Kids Zone interface that's locked down to have my kids only see what I want to let them see. One of my biggest beefs with every other PVR is that there's no way of only showing the channels I subscribe to in the program guide. I don't want my kids surfing through the "adult" channels and seeing the explicit titles, even if we don't get the channel
- The fast forward/rewind take into consideration the lag time between seeing what you want on the screen and pressing the button, so it goes back a couple seconds after you press play
- Streaming Live365 (Mouse World Radio, Sorcerer Radio, etc) audio
- Listening to my favorite PodCasts
- Have it record every movie with a given actor, or record every tennis show for my wife
- upload movies/videos from my computer to the TiVo to watch it on the TV
- the list goes on and on of fantastic features that I can't do on any other PVR.

I sadly admit that I also have a Rogers HD PVR just for watching HD content. It's a real pain to use two PVRs but it's what's needed to get a good experience.

 

[OntFamily]

- separate Kids Zone interface that's locked down to have my kids only see what I want to let them see. One of my biggest beefs with every other PVR is that there's no way of only showing the channels I subscribe to in the program guide. I don't want my kids surfing through the "adult" channels and seeing the explicit titles, even if we don't get the channel
- The fast forward/rewind take into consideration the lag time between seeing what you want on the screen and pressing the button, so it goes back a couple seconds after you press play
-

Just so you know, Bell's PVR offer these features (and has HD).

 

[bdoyledimou]

Just so you know, Bell's PVR offer these features (and has HD).

2 pretty low end options out of 8+ value added options ?

Tivo is the best PVR device hands down.

I would really like to see Rogers or Bell partner up with Tivo (much like Comcast and Direct TV did in the US) and offer branded Tivo unit. Of course, they would also have to reduce their prices on those services to match whast Tivo already charges...

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks all! Here is an update:

Rogers - No Rogers here in our city. Plus, when we looked at limited TV selections, it didn't appeal to us at all.

Bell - We have been very loyal to Bell for over 10 years now, and each year, they show us. This year, we are getting movies free for 6 months, HD PVR free for 24 months with free installation and 10% loyalty programming discount each month. This is all on top of the bundles we get each month. We are very happy!

Tivo - It sounds very good, but we are going to use the free HD PVR from Bell 1st. If we find it's limited, we'll move it to bedroom, and purchase TiVo. We don't watch that much TV at all, but we are hoping to watch a bit more as we have a beautiful Samsung Plasma TV that collects dust in our family room. We have upgraded to Bell HD programming, so we'll see how that is over the holidays. So, we are going to still look into TiVo as it sounds very cool!

Thanks to all for the awesome info, Tiger

 

[bdoyledimou]

Thanks all! Here is an update:

Rogers - No Rogers here in our city. Plus, when we looked at limited TV selections, it didn't appeal to us at all.

Bell - We have been very loyal to Bell for over 10 years now, and each year, they show us. This year, we are getting movies free for 6 months, HD PVR free for 24 months with free installation and 10% loyalty programming discount each month. This is all on top of the bundles we get each month. We are very happy!

Tivo - It sounds very good, but we are going to use the free HD PVR from Bell 1st. If we find it's limited, we'll move it to bedroom, and purchase TiVo. We don't watch that much TV at all, but we are hoping to watch a bit more as we have a beautiful Samsung Plasma TV that collects dust in our family room. We have upgraded to Bell HD programming, so we'll see how that is over the holidays. So, we are going to still look into TiVo as it sounds very cool!

Thanks to all for the awesome info, Tiger

Glad to see things worked out for you!

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks! Tiger