TiVo is once again testing the market with free DVR hardware. And, this time around, it’s the 4-tuner TiVo Roamio that handles cable and over-the-air (but not at the same time). Instead of charging $150-200 at $15/month, TiVo is giving away the Roamio … for those willing to commit to two years of service at $20/month. You can bet their motivation is to reduce the barriers to entry, as they’re similarly experimenting with via the new $50 Roamio OTA model. Yet, given retail distribution via the likes of Best Buy and Walmart, this particular offering may remain an online exclusive. Civilians can check out the promotional pricing here, while our military counterparts have additional options to consider here.
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I always like to thank folks who pass me tips, but I can't track down the email or tweet that turned me onto the civilian deal a couple weeks back - sorry nice person!
I'm not sure I understand this one from Tivo's point of view -- the $20 2 year commitment is actually cheaper (over 2 years) than the $15 1year commitment.
Weird thing is, who would ever go for the $199/19 plan. You only get ahead of the free one after 3 years -- which is already after the point that lifetime is cheapest.
Actually, if you don't get the MSD then you are still paying $20 for month to month, unless you sign another 1 year commitment, then you get $15 a month. Math time, I'm assuming no MSD, but I am assuming you can find the PLUS discount on lifetime units
1. 0/20 = $480 over 2 years
2. 199/15 + 0/15 = $379 + $180 = $559 over 2 years
3. 199/399 = $598 over 2 years(or forever really)
Assuming you keep doing the 1 year commitment to get the $15 instead of $20 there is no break even point between option 1 and 2, break even between 1 and 3 is 2 years, 7.8 months(ie after 2 years, 8 months it's cheaper to go lifetime), and break even between option 2 and 3 is 2 years 2.6 months(it's cheaper to go lifetime after 2 years and 3 months)
MSD changes the math, but it's hard to figure it all out then, since the combinations are just about unlimited. It also doesn't take into account the price you get when you sell a lifetimed tivo, where the break even would be substantially less.