This (or the Edge referenced by mrsean) is still the best deal in TV. I've had my TiVo lifetime subscription on the Bolt for many years now, and pay something like $6/mo for a cable card, with a couple of TiVo Minis I bought used on ebay delivering service to the other rooms. Cable companies are fighting to keep customers and keep giving me great bundle deals to keep my service. If you don't take the maxed-out packages, cable + TiVo remains a great deal and a far superior user experience compared to juggling a bunch of streaming services, particularly if you want to watch sports. The only problem is that TiVo has stopped investing in its own app experience, so you still need a Roku or Fire Stick.
I have one of the original release Tivo Bolts that has cable AND OTA. I started out using it with cable, then switched it over to OTA mode when I got rid of the unregulated monopoly known as cable TV. Perfect for recording live sports in particular.
Two questions:
1. Since the prices are the same for the OTA only model and the cable or OTA model, why would someone choose the OTA only model?
2. I have an OTA only Roamio model from around 2015. Still going strong with the original HD and no issues. Would there be any reason to switch to the newer Bolt?
This (or the Edge referenced by mrsean) is still the best deal in TV. I've had my TiVo lifetime subscription on the Bolt for many years now, and pay something like $6/mo for a cable card, with a couple of TiVo Minis I bought used on ebay delivering service to the other rooms. Cable companies are fighting to keep customers and keep giving me great bundle deals to keep my service. If you don't take the maxed-out packages, cable + TiVo remains a great deal and a far superior user experience compared to juggling a bunch of streaming services, particularly if you want to watch sports. The only problem is that TiVo has stopped investing in its own app experience, so you still need a Roku or Fire Stick.
why are you paying for a CC? it's FCC mandated that the first one is at no-charge.
I also bought the 4 tuner Roamio with lifetime subscription in 2015 for $300. Mine is also still going strong although it seemed to run hot so I opened the top cover for better airflow. I kept hitting the 500GB limit so I switched it out for a 3TB 3.5 inch hard drive. All that was needed was to remove the old and connect the new. The Roamio automatically configured the new hard drive when you turned it on. TIVO charges way to much to increase the capacity as it is so easy to just do it yourself and save $200. The Bolt has the smaller laptop hard drive in it so it tends to be less dependable.
I also bought the 4 tuner Roamio with lifetime subscription in 2015 for $300. Mine is also still going strong although it seemed to run hot so I opened the top cover for better airflow. I kept hitting the 500GB limit so I switched it out for a 3TB 3.5 inch hard drive. All that was needed was to remove the old and connect the new. The Roamio automatically configured the new hard drive when you turned it on. TIVO charges way to much to increase the capacity as it is so easy to just do it yourself and save $200. The Bolt has the smaller laptop hard drive in it so it tends to be less dependable.
I also have this same deal and been working great. Any particular type/brand of HD or will any work? I've always been afraid to mess with it, but good to know that the Roamio will take care of it.
The bolts were reportedly less reliable than the roamios, and the edge the least reliable of them all. I have 2 roamios from the prior deals that I alternate between, the newer one stopped being able to connect to their servers via wifi for guide data, but connects fine on ethernet. I am guessing they will stop providing guide data before both die. They just sent a survey the other day mainly asking why I don't upgrade the roamios to a newer model, so not sure what's in the works with that. They have gone backwards in terms of tuners and reliability.
I also have this same deal and been working great. Any particular type/brand of HD or will any work? I've always been afraid to mess with it, but good to know that the Roamio will take care of it.
Got my OTA Roamio soon after introduction then a another one (refurb) a couple years later as a backup. I was having a few issues last year with my original, so I finally switched over to my backup - purring along smoothly. I bought the recommended 3 TB 3 1/2" replacement drive along the way
Cooling has been an issue with some, and you can buy replacement fans online. I've bought laptop cooling pads for added insurance- placing under the unit and NOT plugging into the Roamio USB port (change out as they ultimately fail).
If they introduce a new 6 tuner OTA lifetime with 4K capability and fresh apps so I can ditch my Roku... Hello?? TIVO?? Listening??
Yes, ReplayTV was the bomb for those of us old enough to know about it. The lawsuits over commercial skip did them in eventually plus competition from Tivo.
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That was a slick deal!
1. Since the prices are the same for the OTA only model and the cable or OTA model, why would someone choose the OTA only model?
2. I have an OTA only Roamio model from around 2015. Still going strong with the original HD and no issues. Would there be any reason to switch to the newer Bolt?
Cooling has been an issue with some, and you can buy replacement fans online. I've bought laptop cooling pads for added insurance- placing under the unit and NOT plugging into the Roamio USB port (change out as they ultimately fail).
If they introduce a new 6 tuner OTA lifetime with 4K capability and fresh apps so I can ditch my Roku... Hello?? TIVO?? Listening??