FS: Two TiVo Series1 units

[mrgreen4242]

I've got two TiVo units to sell. Both Series1 systems.

First is a Sony unit which has been upgraded to hold over 180 hours (originally 30 hour unit). TiVo works great, the remote is in kind of rough condition. The buttons work, but the text is worn off. The battery cover is also broken, and is held in place by some electrical tape. :o It's the silver one in the pic.

Second is a Philips 20 hour unit. The system works, but the HDD is failing. Boots up OK, and the menus and whatnot are all fine but the video playback is jerky. Pretty sure it just needs a new disk (which is easy to do). The remote is in nearly new condition.

I know these aren't worth much, so make an offer! A few bucks plus the actual shipping charges is all I am after. Shipping is from 48837, locals feel free to make an offer for pick up.

[Maxwell Smart]

I guess you would need an account with TiVo in order to use these? Is there any way to get around that?

[mrgreen4242]

I guess you would need an account with TiVo in order to use these? Is there any way to get around that?

You need an account to get the TV listings. You can use them like you would a regular VCR (set day/time/channel) without any subscription.

[Maxwell Smart]

So basically the only thing the subscription does is give you TV listings? And I'm guessing that is done through the phone line? Also, do you know what the cheapest plan for tivo is, and what exactly the difference is between a series one and series two. Thank you so much.

[mrgreen4242]

So basically the only thing the subscription does is give you TV listings? And I'm guessing that is done through the phone line? Also, do you know what the cheapest plan for tivo is, and what exactly the difference is between a series one and series two. Thank you so much.

The cheapest they advertise is $12.95 per month. I've been getting it for $7 per month for about 18 months, though, by just calling and saying I didn't want to pay so much, but that's up to the individual customer rep. The subscription gives you the TV listings and all the things that come with that... season passes, suggested shows, etc. Very cool. Without it, the TiVo is pretty much a VCR with a big tape that also lets you pause/rewind/slow-mo live TV. Still pretty cool.

The Series1 and 2 differ in basically two ways, one, the series 1 uses a phone line only to get data from TiVo, the S2 has a built in ethernet port and option WiFi to do this. With the Series 2 you can also get stuff off your TiVo if it's on your network with either ethernet or wifi. The other difference is that TiVo doesn't really update the software for S1 units anymore (that is they don't add new features, but they do all the things they are designed to do fine still). The S2 gets new stuff every now and again (but they are going to be focusing on the S3 HD units sooner or later).

Hope that helps.

[Maxwell Smart]

Sorry that I'm asking so many questions but I'm thinking about buying one of these and debating whether or not I want to pay for the subscription. What I was wondering is, how hard is it to upgrade the hard drive, and what size harddrive is in each unit? I'm assuming it's just a standard IDE harddrive but what else is involved? Also, are you getting rid of these because you got series 2/3 replacements? Thanks again.

Edit: Also, I have comcast (digital) cable, and I was wondering whether TiVo will pick up the other digital channels or whether it will just be able to use the standard channels (all below 99). And also do these tivos have one or two tuners, Thanks.

[mrgreen4242]

Sorry that I'm asking so many questions but I'm thinking about buying one of these and debating whether or not I want to pay for the subscription. What I was wondering is, how hard is it to upgrade the hard drive, and what size harddrive is in each unit? I'm assuming it's just a standard IDE harddrive but what else is involved? Also, are you getting rid of these because you got series 2/3 replacements? Thanks again.

Edit: Also, I have comcast (digital) cable, and I was wondering whether TiVo will pick up the other digital channels or whether it will just be able to use the standard channels (all below 99). And also do these tivos have one or two tuners, Thanks.

No problem... happy to help! They use standard IDE drives, and they are easy to replace. The only trick is downloading a live CD that you boot up a PC with, attach a harddrive to the computer, run a couple commands that preps it for the TiVo, then drop it into the case.

The drives in there now are a 30gb+120gb (I think) in the Sony - it's about 1 hour per gig in basic quality. The Philips has a 20gb drive in it. The Sony was mine and I got a series2 so I don't need it now. The Philips was my moms, and she was having trouble with the harddrive so got a DirectTV DVR.

The TiVo itself will only get analog channels. It has a built in IR transmitter, though, that you can program to control your digital cable box. So you connect the cable box to the TiVo, the TiVo to the TV and then use the TiVo remote to change channels, etc. I did this for awhile till I went to basic cable.

Hope that helps! Also, just for reference, if you buy a TiVo from TiVo you are committed to at least one year of service. You have to buy them used or at a higher, full retail price to get one without a service plan.

www.tivocommunity.com is a good place for TiVo help, btw.

[mrgreen4242]

Wanted to mention that both units have power and composite video/audio cables, and I've got a giant phone cord (30-50ft) that will go with them too!

[Flyinace2000]

I just want to clarify soemthing. Not all series 2 have ethernet ports. The original Series 2 have USB ports and you can ADD a ethernet port. The later and curretn Series 2 (or 2.5 if you will) come with ethernet ports built in.

[mrgreen4242]

I just want to clarify soemthing. Not all series 2 have ethernet ports. The original Series 2 have USB ports and you can ADD a ethernet port. The later and curretn Series 2 (or 2.5 if you will) come with ethernet ports built in.

Ah, yes, that's true. I forgot they didn't add the ethernet port standard until the dual tuner models. In either case, these are neither. :p

[Maxwell Smart]

Did you ever get that shipping estimate? Thanks.