TiVo now available in Canada

[Mike]

Just a heads up, if you wish to officially use TiVo in Canada you can now activate the service in Canada using a box from eBay or imported from the U.S.


Is the TiVo service available in Canada?
The TiVo Service is now available in Canada. Canadian residents will be given special instruction to follow when activating service. Please look for the link "Instructions for Canadian residents," under step 1 during the activation process.

TiVo does not sell boxes in Canada, so Canadian residents must purchase boxes in the US and import them. If the DVR becomes defective, TiVo will not ship a warranty replacement box into Canada, and will only ship to a US address.


http://www.tivo.com/1.6.1.asp#9

[Digiital]

WHAT?!

Now this is interesting!! I've been using a Tivo here in Canada for almost 3 yrs now(I could NEVER live without it anymore).

[glitch]

WHAT?!

Now this is interesting!! I've been using a Tivo here in Canada for almost 3 yrs now(I could NEVER live without it anymore).

I think I could use a Tivo like device.
What do you use and where did you buy it from?

[Digiital]

Nothing like the real deal(Tivo).

As for where to get it, I have gotten mine when I've taken crossboarder shopping trips. So You'll need to take a trip to the US.

[glitch]

Nothing like the real deal(Tivo).

As for where to get it, I have gotten mine when I've taken crossboarder shopping trips. So You'll need to take a trip to the US.
Any particular model I should be lookin for? I'm assuming it has a TV guide that works in Canada. How much do these things cost?

[Exmortis]

With cable TV going digital and Tivo losing their deal with DirectTV, their future is very bleak. Tivo has been unable to partner with anyone since DTV dumped them.

[glitch]

With cable TV going digital and Tivo losing their deal with DirectTV, their future is very bleak. Tivo has been unable to partner with anyone since DTV dumped them.
What would you recommend?

[Exmortis]

What would you recommend?

Nothing... As long as there's still an analog signal on cable TV, Tivo will work fine in term of using its TV guide. If you have Bell Expressvu or Starchoice, forget about it.

Providers have decided to develop their own PVRs or use the PVRs made by their technological partners (Scientific Atlanta for Rogers, Echostar for Bell EV, Motorolla for Starchoice) and so Tivo is completely shut out. In order to use a PVR to its fullest (i.e. record from digital channels in digital with 5.1 audio, use the guide to program your recordings, etc), you have to use the PVR of your TV provider. No other choice. Using Tivo with Rogers Digital, Bev or SC is only using a fraction of it... The rest is basically wasted.

[Mike]

I don't even use a PVR, they're all too buggy. If I do have to record I can use my PC, I have a TV tuner card and I can edit out the commericials.

[Exmortis]

All too buggy? Been having one for almost 3 years now (dual-tuner too). Buggy how?

[Mike]

Yeah, ask people with the Rogers DVR. All i've heard is recording delays and the hardware frequently dying. I've heard nothing really positive about it.

[Exmortis]

Yeah, ask people with the Rogers DVR. All i've heard is recording delays and the hardware frequently dying. I've heard nothing really positive about it.

I'm one of those users. I have a SA8300. What's a recording delay?

Go to www.digitalhomecanada.com (http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/) and ask the large number of Rogers DVR users there. You may get a more accurate picture.

But your statement above was very generic and therefore must also includes the other PVRs. So what's wrong with Bell's 5800 receiver?

[Mike]

Sorry, I probably sounded a little too broad in terms of PVRs, i'm not sure about Bell's PVR but there are still some issues with Rogers. If you look at the SA 8000 forum at Digital Forums almost every topic is something like "major problem with sa8300hd" and "8300HD PVR HD Recording - jerkiness?"

[Exmortis]

If you look at the SA 8000 forum at Digital Forums almost every topic is something like "major problem with sa8300hd" and "8300HD PVR HD Recording - jerkiness?"

First, you will only see threads from people with problems. That's what the forum is for. If you only go by the topics, you will always see problems. Do not judge the product by the topics, ask the users. Those who do not have problems and enjoy the product will participate and you may find a lot more people enjoying it than others with issues.

Second, you will never ever find a consumer electronic product that does not have one single user without an issue. If you're looking for a product with 100% consumer satisfaction on the highest level, forget it... Doesn't exist.

Third, the topics you listed was for the HD PVR. Trust me, if you were to try to record high-definition onto your computer, you'd have heaps of problems. Your computer ain't less buggy than a PVR on this front.

[Digiital]

I've used my Tivo on Digital cable/Analog and also on Bell and no issues what so ever.
Even if Tivo was to go belly up, there is no issue with getting guide data. With so many hacks and currently the way I do it, it would still work for a long time. I have a application done by a Canadian that fakes the Tivo into thinking it's calling the mothership to get the guide data. Works like a charm and I have using this method since day one and it's been a good 3 yrs now.

[Exmortis]

I've used my Tivo on Digital cable/Analog and also on Bell and no issues what so ever.

Do you have it setup with an IR blaster to control the receiver?

[dawtcalm]

I've had the 8300HD for about a yr now, no issues at all, other than I've found on a couple occasions I've lost some of the scheduled recordings, but that could be because the provider changed the day/time and I didn't really notice (I always choose "only record this time and day" for any show, to not get repeats).

We'll never go back to not having a PVR, you always have something to watch, pausing is super useful and we usually start watching a show 10mins late on purpose so we can ffwd through commercials... GREAT TOY!

[Joe_Mama]

Exmortis,

My free Rogers HD terminal (plain HD terminal, no PVR) offer will expire by the end of December 2005, after which I will have to pay the monthly fee (not sure how much). I was thinking about buying the 8300HD PVR after the offer expires (hoping the price will drop a little more than the $599.99 it's going for now at Futureshop).

Question is: Is it worth buying? I don't want to rent it as I know it'll be more expensive than the regular HD terminal. My biggest fear is the thing breaking down after the warranty has expired.

Thanks.

[Exmortis]

You can always rent it for two months if you really want to try it for little money. I have to warn you... There's a serious addiction risk involved. I'm not kidding... ;) Try it for two months (or ask Rogers to try it for free... Never know...) 'cause only you can judge if it's worth it or not. But in my own personal experience... Hell yeah! :)

Check what the monthly rental fee is and calculate how many months it'll take you to start getting your money's worth compared to purchase price. Then consider the unit comes with a 1year warranty and then the decision may be clearer for you.

[jb22]

This news is kind of good although a little late. Don't most people feel that Tivo won't be around much longer as a company so is there any point investing in a unit especially if you have to get one from the US?

[Exmortis]

Tivo has no real future anymore now that all cable/satellite companies are making their own PVR. Tivo is bound to be left out of the HDTV arena as well. They lost DirectTV and nobody wants them. Bad news...