Backstage
TiVo stages comeback with DirecTV, Echostar wins
Good news for those who have been wondering about TiVo’s prospects going forward: right on the heels of an agreement the company just reached with DirecTV to continue providing TiVo-licensed services to the company’s 2 million existing DirecTiVo customers for 3 years, TiVo has just won a major patent infringement lawsuit against EchoStar relating to its simultaneous recording and playback technologies. While the revenue impact of the DirectTV deal isn’t known, the Echostar award is presently set at $73 million - and right about now, other infringers are most likely getting ready to open their wallets, as well.
The TiVo deal oft-mentioned on Backstage expires 2 days from now, so if you’re looking to get both the Lifetime Service and hardware at a very reasonable price, read this article now, before it’s too late. Circuit City has them for $69 (80-Hour) right now for local pickup; an Amazon order at the same $69 price would probably take too long to deliver for you to take advantage of “the deal.” Otherwise, the company’s still offering monthly subscriptions (now including hardware without any up-front cost) for $16.95 and up; additional details are inside, and your referrals are still very much appreciated.
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1
A comment sent via e-mail from Joshua:
...this thread has a lot of info about the recent changes:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=290723
And down in the FAQs section, it brings up lifetime transfers. The only ones we’re really eligible for are if the unit is defective. And here’s the tip. According to that section, TiVo recognizes retailers’ extended warranties, and will allow you to transfer service if your box is defective according to those.
While the original TiVo warranty is only for one year, Best Buy offers a 4-year extended warranty for $30. Now I have never ever bought an extended warranty, and think they are usually not worth the money, but this policy seems to make that a worthwhile $30. Hopefully Best Buy is good with their warranty service, because now I’ve guaranteed the lifetime subscription to last for four years at least.
(BTW, Best Buy allows you to buy the service plan after the product, I only noticed this today, and bought the TiVo two days ago. I just went back to the store with my receipts and they sold it to me.) I’m sure Circuit City has comparable plans. Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t seem to have plans, or at least I didn’t see any.
Posted by Jeremy Horwitz in East Amherst, NY, USA on April 15, 2006 at 8:40 PM (CDT)
2
What ever you do, DO NOT COUNT ON TIVO HONORING A REBATE! Four months later, calls to customer service, Parago (Tivo’s rebate handler) and the director of customer service, letters to the CEO, CFO and VP Finance, NO $150 rebate. Tivo rebate is a scam.
Check them out on the Better Business Bureau www. bbb. org Tivo and Parago-their rebate handler have horrible reputations.
Posted by Mark on April 19, 2006 at 4:38 PM (CDT)
3
tivo sucks. get a mediacenter xp pc and a tuner card. the card costs 30 bucks. there, you have a tivo, but better.
Posted by jfriend33 on May 1, 2006 at 8:13 PM (CDT)
4
The attitude of jfriend33 does irritate me somewhat - he shows a complete lack of understanding of what TiVo is - Tivo is probably the most significant product (apart from the ipod!) that I have ever purchased. And yes I do own most gadgets. TiVo and Apple should team up - ahh what great products we would see…...
Posted by Adrian on May 15, 2006 at 9:53 AM (CDT)