Too many hats

 So it’s finally out.  The TiVo Series 3 box.

It looks fantastic, meets my needs perfectly, is exactly what I want, and yet I don’t think I’ll be getting one.  At least not soon.

$799.99!  Ouch!

That’s what all the rumors were saying, but I didn’t believe it.  Couldn’t.

TiVo has always had great incentives, special deals, etc., not to mention an absolutely compelling product with an incredibly intuitive interface.

I suppose some background is in order.  Flash back to late 2001.  I’m working for Digex (now part of MCI/Worldcom Worldcom Verizon), and I meet TiVo Goddess.  Among her completely unopinionated set of favorites – many of which I would succumb to, begrudgingly, was (duh) TiVo.

I had no interest in a DVR.  Although being a gadget freak, and seeming to have an innate mandate for living on the leading bleeding edge, it just didn’t seem to matter to me.  I had DISH network at the time, and had a DVR from them that never seemed to work, and they didn’t seem to care, and it just struck me as not-ready-for-prime-time technology.  No thanks, I’ll pass.

She persisted, pursued, and persuaded.  I relented.  And then I fell in love.  There are many reasons, but this is absolutely technology done right.  Intuitive, easy, lovely, and transparent.

By this time, I was with Comcast Cable (A rant for another time.  In a word… “DON’T”).  I quickly bought a TiVo Series 1 box with a lifetime subscription.  I then a year later hacked it to upgrade the hard drive, and fell in love again.  This time with the simplicity of design, the openness of the company their “unofficial support” (or at least loving tolerance) for the hacker community.  Could this company do no wrong?

Then my ability to tolerate Comcast was exceeded, and I fired them, opting instead for DirecTV.  We’re now at about late 2002.  I bought a DirecTV/TiVo combo box, with a lifetime subscription (from TiVo) and fell in love yet again.  Dual Tuners, the ability to record two shows live, and watch a third that I had recorded earlier, same TiVo I love.  Did I mention that I LOVE TiVo?  (No, this is not a paid advertisement.  I cannot help but shout from the rooftops when I love something this much).  Subsequently, I sold my father my Series 1 standalone box, and bought two more DirecTV/TiVo combo units (2 of them, Series 2 boxes).

I truly cannot imagine my life without TiVo.  When I travel, I find myself wondering how the modern world survives without it.  (”What do you mean I can’t rewind and see/hear that again?”)

Anyway, modern day.  I am the proud owner (User?) of Verizon FIOS and Verizon VoiceWing (VoIP).  And now Verizon FIOSTV is now available in my area.  AND I WANT IT.

According to my calculations, I am presently paying $58.97/month for my DirecTV.  This includes Total Choice Plus package ($48.99/mo), plus two additional received “Mirror Fees” ($4.99/mo each).

With FiosTV, for the same channel line up, plus all the HD channels (which would cost me extra with DirecTV), I would pay Verizon $34.95/mo (includes a $5/mo discount for having all the various FIOS services).  If I bought three TiVo Series 3 boxes, I could get CableCards from Verizon, so I don’t need separate tuners or set-top boxes (unless I wanted access to Video On-Demand, or Pay-Per-View, which I don’t care about), for $2/mo each (x 3 units, x 2 per unit = $12/month.  If I get my old Series 1 back from my dad, and have TiVo transfer my lifetime service plan to the new Series 3 box, and then pay the “multi-view” discounted price on the remaining two boxes, that would be $6.95/mo each = $13.90.  Total cost = $60.85.  Cost difference = an increase of $1.88/month.

Now…  Why would I do all that?

1) Although relatively infrequent, it’s terribly annoying when severe weather interferes with our ability to receive TV.  And it’s just often enough to irk me.

2) Although I’ve been very happy with DirecTV over the years, I cannot begin to fathom the mindset that caused them to buy the exclusive rights to the DirecTV/TiVo combo units, giving them full, unlimited access to continue to develop, manufacture, and sell these units, and then abandon it completely in favor of their own, internally-developed unit.  At this moment, although you can still find some on shelves in stores, DirecTV/TiVo combo units are no longer being manufactured or sold by DirecTV.  Idiots.  Yes, they will continue to support us “loyal” TiVo customers.  In the same way they have for the past few years – which is to say, not at all.  No updates, no improvements, none of the new features that TiVo has offered (such as Home Media Option, TiVo-To-Go, KidZone, etc.)

I love TiVo (have I mentioned that?), but have come to despise the stupidity of DirecTV, and can abide them no longer.

So…  I have a viable alternative – FiosTV.  I can get better quality, better price, better service, and move to the platform I love, and get full TiVo support.  What’s not to love?

The price!  The stupid price.  $799.99.  Ohmigoshareyoustupidfreakinnuts?!?!?!

If I buy a three-year, prepaid plan, you should offer me some incredible incentive.  Or, go for the extreme…  Lock me in to a 5 year contract or something.  I’ll go for that.  Do something to make my plan, my dream, my vision, my NEED practical.

You’re asking me to spend $800 x 3 = $2400 to replace my existing three TiVo units. Yeah right.

So for now, unless TiVo does something incredible (I wouldn’t be surprised), I must wait.  And drool.  And want.  And suffer.  And brew.

I WANT MY TIVO!  Please, TiVo – I beg of you.  Find a solution.

I propose, openly and before the world, the following:

TiVo and Verizon…  Get together on this.  A cross-promotion.  TiVo – you are pushing for these “House Parties”.  So give me a TiVo Series 3 unit for free, transfer my lifetime subscription from my Series 1 box.  Lock me into a 5 year contract on two more Series 3 boxes, and charge me $199 each for them, plus the monthly ongoing fee.  I’ll host a house party extravaganza, promoting both TiVo and Verizon FIOS/VoiceWing/FiosTV.  This seems like a win/win/win.  Layout the conditions, the terms, and make it happen.  You can do it. (The first person who says “We can help” gets shot.)

Link to TiVo.com | Buy TiVo