After a couple of months of dealing with Scientific Atlanta's crappy DVR, i'm really not happy with it. In addition to shitty options for recording, i'm not happy with the fact that I can't drag content off of it onto my computer (my old ReplayTV did that), so I was looking into a TiVo.

Since I have Cablevision, i'm going to need cablecards. Would I really need a cable guy to come out and install this?

Lifetime memberships? How can I get one and would it be worth it?

Getting content off of TiVo...possible? If so, is it hard to do?

I'm sure i'll have more question, but that's all I can think of right now..

It's not necessary to have a installer come out to put in the cablecards for any technical reason, but I don't know of a cable company that lets you self-install them.

You can transfer TiVo recordings onto a computer using the TiVoToGo software.

They have discontinued the Lifetime service option. They brought it back for a little bit at Christmas time, but I think it is gone again. Sorry.

Matthew

Currently, Tivo has a lifetime deal that current subscribers can give to others.

http://www3.tivo.com/tivo-promo/show...vo/hdgift.html

However, this link will land a Tivo HD, wireless network adapter, and lifetime subscription in your cart without the need for a referral.

The offer ends, in theory, on April 1. They've extended it a couple times in the past.

That offer sounds good. Would it be eligible for the $150 rebate too?

Also, is there a big difference between a Series 3 and TiVo HD?

Yes. You really should check out

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/index.php?

for more information than I can provide in one post.

word is series 3's are being phased out by TiVo. Basically, Series 3 has a bigger hard drive (but the TiVo HD can be expanded with a supportable drive), has the GLO remote (which you can also buy separately), has THX certification, and has a front LED display (saw one at my friends, not a huge deal).

of course the two main advantages for the TiVo HD are the price, and that it supports Multi-stream Cable Cards. This is a big deal if your cable company charges you for the second card in a device. Series 3 has to have two cards to get dual tuner. TiVo HD just has to have the one M-Card.

I have 2 TiVo HD's - one in the family room (with the 500 GB DVR Expander), one in the bedroom. I love them.

Comcast here in Nashville, TN allows you to pick up CableCards at the local offices and install them yourself. I did so for both my TiVos. It was a little frustrating for the first one (no one at comcast knew how to set them up in their system correctly), but for the second one (which i got about a month ago), comcast seemed to know what they were doing and it was near flawless.

so basically, you can set it up yourself, IF your cable company allows it. the guy that comes out to your house wouldn't be able to do anything you can't. they basically would just call in and provide numbers that you have access to yourself.

There was a thread on this forum about the TiVo HD a while back, you may want to search for that.

as for getting content off of it, i assume you're talking about transferring to a PC? TiVo definitely does this. you can transfer between tivo devices over your wireless network, and also transfer to a PC. I'm on the road a lot, so I transfer shows to my laptop all the time.