Comments on: Comcast subscribers flock to free TiVo recorders

Thousands lined up at TiVo's headquarters to get a free recorder and give a gift to charity.

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Brave face before the storm for Tivo

Well Tivo can do all the gimmicks and put on a brave face all it wants. When Comcast launches its DVR, Tivo would be in seriously trouble at least in the cable segment. I personally think its ridiculous that Tivo charges a 12.95 monthly fee for Tivo and dials back home. Heck when you are paying for the device then why should one have to keep paying Tivo for the previlge of DVR? Okay maybe $5 a month might be ignorable after you paid for the device.

Compared to Tivo, Comcast will give you a box for free and only charge $9.95 a month. I still think thats more, but hey at least you don't pay for the box. On top of that you get all the benefits of having it integrated in one box instead if juggling many, no phone line nonsense, one combined bill to pay and one combined interface from your guide on the box. Tell me again, why do I need or want Tivo? Plus Comcast already has HD DVR boxes launched in parts of the country. Where is Tivo HD? Tivo's days are numbered if the Satellite guys also go for their own DVR boxes.

[mattluria]

Comcast's DVR is free due to a big gorilla

Comcast's DVR is made by Microsoft and is part of their plan to reach home markets with their Interactive TV plan. The DVR is based on the Media Center PC OS and has hefty DRM installed. I have Cox Communications and they offer the same DVR that Comcast does and that DVR is made by Microsoft.
TiVOs stand for quality. My old boss still has his series 2 (the first run) TIVO and he's upgraded that thing with two 500 gig HD. The TIVO community is huge and people are always finding new things to add to the boxes. Yes the Tivos cost more in the long run but you're getting your monies worth right from the start. TIVO tech support has got to be the best as they don't talk down to their customers, and talk about speedy, my old series 1 had the power supply in the unit fail, TIVO sent us a new series 2 without us having to pay the upgrade fee or anything. You can't be a company that follows sound ethics and still manages to give its customers what they want.

Tivo a better deal than you think...

AB-

> When Comcast launches its DVR, Tivo would be in seriously trouble at least in the cable segment.

I live in the D.C. area, where Comcast's DVR service is available. I have several friends that tried it, and they still went back to Tivo, citing usability issues and lack of features with the Comcast unit. Also, remember that the DVR unit that Comcast provides only records shows, and there are limited options for recording a series. With Tivo, not only do I have the option of recording first-run shows only, but Tivo will suggest shows and movies based on what I have watched or asked to record. The more you use Tivo, the more intelligent the suggestions.

>I personally think its ridiculous that Tivo charges a 12.95 monthly fee for Tivo and dials back home. ... Okay maybe $5 a month might be ignorable after you paid for the device.

What a coincidence. A large segment of Tivo subscribers are coming from the likes of DirectTV, which I currently use. DirectTV only charges $4.95/month for ALL Tivo receivers (which each unit only takes up a box, not multiple) attached to an account. If I were to have 4 receivers, I'd still only pay $4.95/month, versus $39.80/month with Comcast. Plus Tivo calls to update not only software, but also your programming guides. The comcast unit is dependent on your digital cable service.

> Heck when you are paying for the device then why should one have to keep paying Tivo for the previlge of DVR?

Why should you pay for cable after buying a TV? Why should you buy Satellite Radio service when there are free radio stations available? It provides a service that you find useful. Remember, you get what you pay for, and not a penny more. With Comcast (I was a former customer), I find you usually get a lot less than what you pay for.

> Compared to Tivo, Comcast will give you a box for free and only charge $9.95 a month. I still think thats more, but hey at least you don't pay for the box. On top of that you get all the benefits of having it integrated in one box instead if juggling many, no phone line nonsense, one combined bill to pay and one combined interface from your guide on the box.

See earlier arguments

> Tell me again, why do I need or want Tivo? Plus Comcast already has HD DVR boxes launched in parts of the country. Where is Tivo HD? Tivo's days are numbered if the Satellite guys also go for their own DVR boxes.

DirectTV also has HDTV receivers, and they also have HDTV Tivo Receivers. The question is how much you are willing to spend for a receiver. The same problems that require the additional costs for an HDTV Tivo are the same reasons Comcast does not offer a DVR for their HDTV customers.