Roamio OTA 1TB Digital Video Recorder

Q: Does this model require a monthly TiVo fee?

A: The product is supposed to start shipping any day now. And the TiVo site has almost no details-- they link to the Amazon sale page. Accoring to Amazon and a Cnet report on the product announcement: this model will ome with a lifetime subscription. This makes it a reasonable deal because the purchase cost is roughly the same as the earlier model + 30 month subscription. For Cnet report, search on "TiVo goes after cable cutters with more storage, no service fee" Also search for: "TiVo Roamio OTA 1000 GB DVR: Digital Video Recorder and Streaming Media Player - Compatible with any HD digital antenna - now with no monthly service fees"

Q: If there is no tuner, how does it receive ota broadcasts?

A: This model actually has 4 tuners. That's how it can record up to 4 shows (or record 3 while you watch a 4th).

Q: What can I do with a tivo and very basic cable? Can I still use Netflix and record shows available based on my cable contract?

A: This TiVo is the Over the Air model, "OTA". Over the Air requires an Antenna be purchased and connected to the TiVo. This TiVo OTA will not work with Cable Tv. However, TiVo makes several models that will work with Cable TV. People who purchase this TiVo model are people who are tired of paying for Cable TV. It is surprising how many millions of people don't realize High Definition broadcast TV is "free" and all you need is an antenna. CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, CW and Public TV all brodcast wireless tv signals in beautiful high definition and all you need is an antenna. This TiVo OTA model will let you stream Hulu and Netflix. However, you will not be able to record Hulu or Netflix.

Q: Can I use this with and HDTV antenna or do I need to have a cable subscription?

A: You can only use an HDTV OTA Antenna with this. Cannot be used with a cablecard.

Q: With this new model with no mothly fee ,can you use the OTA DVR without wifi?

A: With the Roamio OTA and the lifetime subscription, you can connect to your network via wifi OR Ethernet cable. If you don't connect it to your network and register the unit, you will not have access to a lot of the features (like One Pass to automatically record series or the included apps like Hulu). If you pay for the model with the lifetime subscription (no monthly fee), you've already paid to register so there is really no reason not to connect it.

Q: I understand that TIVO was recently bought by another company whereby their customer service went to pot. Has this gotten any better in 2017?

A: All I can comment on is my own experience with customer service. It was horrible and still is. The issues I brought up a few weeks ago are still unresolved. The two customer service people I spoke to (one verbal, one via chat) seemed to have surprisingly poor work ethics and were uninterested, and were not knowledgeable. Now I have to contact them a third time about unresolved issues and I am just dreading it.

Q: if I buy 2 of these is it any cheaper

A: Not exactly sure why you'd want to or even need to do this but it won't get any cheaper. As it is, the OTA can record 4 shows simultaneously. Buying a second unit would give you the ability to record eight at the same time. You might consider the Tivo mini if you want to watch or record broadcasts in other rooms. You could have three minis running off of one OTA.

Q: Why can't I order this from you. I want one and don't want to order from Amazon. It won't let me put one in my shopping cart.

A: This TiVo is currently only available in-store, so it would need to be in-stock at your local Best Buy store before you can add it to your online cart. You can check store availability by entering your zip code. Thanks!