Retailers try a new pitch--free TiVo

Retailers CompUSA and The Good Guys are offering limited-time deals on TiVo digital video recorders. In some cases, the deals can result in a free unit.

DVRs, which use hard drives to store large amounts of content, let viewers pause live shows and program their systems to record TV broadcasts.

Nationwide chain CompUSA is offering a $100 mail-in rebate when customers purchase a $199 40-hour Series2 TiVo digital video recorder plus any television, notebook or desktop computer worth at least $499. CompUSA's rebate, in conjunction with a $100 mail-in rebate from TiVo, makes the DVRs free. The promotion runs until Jan. 29, but excludes Apple computers.

TiVo has been offering a $100 mail-in rebate on all its DVRs since early last year.

The Good Guys, which is owned by CompUSA and concentrated on the West Coast, is running an instant 15 percent off rebate for all TiVo DVRs. The $199 40-hour Series2 TiVo DVR, for example, is available for $70 after the instant 15 percent off from The Good Guys and the $100 mail-in rebate from TiVo. The Good Guys rebate is good from Jan. 28 to Jan. 31.

Consumers also will have to pay for TiVo service. A monthly subscription to TiVo's DVR service costs $12.95. A DVR lifetime subscription costs $299.

While practically a household name, San Jose, Calif.-based TiVo is fighting to match the success of its brand name with a lasting business model in an increasingly competitive DVR market. Initially looking to partner with cable and satellite companies, TiVo is now looking to add new features to its innovative DVR service to drive unit sales.

Cable giants such as Comcast have been rolling out their own DVR services, making potential deals with TiVo less of a possibility. TiVo representatives have not ruled out a Comcast deal and add that negotiations continue with Comcast and other service providers.

Retailers try a new pitch--free TiVo Assuming you erver get the rebate

Bought a TiVo back in the Fall, filed all the paper work for the $100 rebate right after I activated service, after many e-mails and phone calls, I still don't have a check...new answer is they will investigate over the next 20 days and see if I should get a rebate. Great product but buy it for the product DON'T count on the rebates...never again will I buy a product with a mail in rebate...up front or no deal

free TiVo Assuming you erver get the rebate

Bought a TiVo back in the Fall, filed all the paper work for the $100 rebate right after I activated service, after many e-mails and phone calls, I still don't have a check...new answer is they will investigate over the next 20 days and see if I should get a rebate. Great product but buy it for the product DON'T count on the rebates...never again will I buy a product with a mail in rebate...up front or no deal

[Earl Benser]

That's about what TiVo is worth...

.... nothing. It's obsolete technology (if that) in a mismatched
market dominated by the big boys who are about to come out
with MPEG-4 transmissions and recorders, with full computer
links.

TiVo was a bad implementation of a mediocre idea from the
beginning. Now it is just a wste of time.

Besides, based on the quality of TV show material, a VCR with a
dozen tapes still is quite adequate.

[nextbend]

Limiting Factor

As always the limiting factor with the "all in one" box design of the Tivo and DVRs in general is the built-in hard drive. Drive capacity increases faster than processing power and those drives are obsolete before they can be shipped.