Activation--monthly or lifetime?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or buy
lifetime activation?

The lifetime price breaks even at 23 months. My worry is that something
drastic might change within that time, like digital TV replacing analog,
or the Replay folks stopping the service, etc.

I'd hate to have paid the $299 and then 10 months into it, bam. But if
life will be good for the next 3+ years, lifetime is a no-brainer.

Just looking for thoughts on this issue. Thanks in advance.

 

[jeff]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

I bought the 5040 model with lifetime activation about 2 months ago. I did
some research and decided it was the best option. It seems highly unlikely
that Replay will just stop the service. Financially the company that owns
Replay appears to be doing better than Tivo.

Used ReplayTV 5040's with the lifetime option are currently selling on eBay
for around $350.00. Without the lifetime option they are selling for around
$60.00. So the break even point will be less than 23 months. If you pay $400
now and sell it a year later for $300 your net cost is $100. If pay monthly
and buy one now for $80 with the monthly fees you'll pay a total of $236 for
a year. Sell it for $60 and your total cost is $176.

I plan on keeping mine for many years. The DVArchive software is great. The
automatic commercial advance is wonderful.

Jeff

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-DD81E2.22543109092004@text.usenetserver.com...
> So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or buy
> lifetime activation?
>
> The lifetime price breaks even at 23 months. My worry is that something
> drastic might change within that time, like digital TV replacing analog,
> or the Replay folks stopping the service, etc.
>
> I'd hate to have paid the $299 and then 10 months into it, bam. But if
> life will be good for the next 3+ years, lifetime is a no-brainer.
>
> Just looking for thoughts on this issue. Thanks in advance.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
> So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or buy
> lifetime activation?
>
> The lifetime price breaks even at 23 months. My worry is that something
> drastic might change within that time, like digital TV replacing analog,
> or the Replay folks stopping the service, etc.
>
> I'd hate to have paid the $299 and then 10 months into it, bam. But if
> life will be good for the next 3+ years, lifetime is a no-brainer.
>
> Just looking for thoughts on this issue. Thanks in advance.
>

Your calculations are wrong. A simple check will show you that life
units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value. After a
few months, lifers are way ahead of the game. A recent survey on the AVS
forum for replay shows about 80% go lifetime.

 

[Tony]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 06:27:05 -0500, "Jeff" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>I bought the 5040 model with lifetime activation about 2 months ago. I did
>some research and decided it was the best option. It seems highly unlikely
>that Replay will just stop the service. Financially the company that owns
>Replay appears to be doing better than Tivo.
>
>Used ReplayTV 5040's with the lifetime option are currently selling on eBay
>for around $350.00. Without the lifetime option they are selling for around
>$60.00. So the break even point will be less than 23 months.
> If you pay $400
>now and sell it a year later for $300 your net cost is $100. If pay monthly
>and buy one now for $80 with the monthly fees you'll pay a total of $236 for
>a year. Sell it for $60 and your total cost is $176.
>
>I plan on keeping mine for many years. The DVArchive software is great. The
>automatic commercial advance is wonderful.
>

So why are you talking about selling it? That's the only way for the
break even point to be less than 23 months.

>Jeff
>
>"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
>news:elmop-DD81E2.22543109092004@text.usenetserver.com...
>> So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or buy
>> lifetime activation?
>>
>> The lifetime price breaks even at 23 months. My worry is that something
>> drastic might change within that time, like digital TV replacing analog,
>> or the Replay folks stopping the service, etc.
>>
>> I'd hate to have paid the $299 and then 10 months into it, bam. But if
>> life will be good for the next 3+ years, lifetime is a no-brainer.
>>
>> Just looking for thoughts on this issue. Thanks in advance.
>>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 06:27:05 -0500, "Jeff" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>I bought the 5040 model with lifetime activation about 2 months ago. I did
>some research and decided it was the best option. It seems highly unlikely
>that Replay will just stop the service. Financially the company that owns
>Replay appears to be doing better than Tivo.
>
>Used ReplayTV 5040's with the lifetime option are currently selling on eBay
>for around $350.00. Without the lifetime option they are selling for around
>$60.00. So the break even point will be less than 23 months. If you pay $400
>now and sell it a year later for $300 your net cost is $100. If pay monthly
>and buy one now for $80 with the monthly fees you'll pay a total of $236 for
>a year. Sell it for $60 and your total cost is $176.
>
>I plan on keeping mine for many years. The DVArchive software is great. The
>automatic commercial advance is wonderful.
>

Although there's a few things they don't tell you. Like that it may
not work at all unless your firewall allows connections to the IP
address 239.255.255.250.

>Jeff
>
>"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
>news:elmop-DD81E2.22543109092004@text.usenetserver.com...
>> So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or buy
>> lifetime activation?
>>
>> The lifetime price breaks even at 23 months. My worry is that something
>> drastic might change within that time, like digital TV replacing analog,
>> or the Replay folks stopping the service, etc.
>>
>> I'd hate to have paid the $299 and then 10 months into it, bam. But if
>> life will be good for the next 3+ years, lifetime is a no-brainer.
>>
>> Just looking for thoughts on this issue. Thanks in advance.
>>
>

--
106 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http/notstupid.laughingsquid.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

In article <o8udnYyrDb4UONzcRVn-jw@comcast.com>,
Tony D <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

> A simple check will show you that life
> units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
> something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value. After a
> few months, lifers are way ahead of the game. A recent survey on the AVS
> forum for replay shows about 80% go lifetime.

Great tip. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 09:00:54 -0400, Tony D <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
>> So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or buy
>> lifetime activation?
>>
>> The lifetime price breaks even at 23 months. My worry is that something
>> drastic might change within that time, like digital TV replacing analog,
>> or the Replay folks stopping the service, etc.
>>
>> I'd hate to have paid the $299 and then 10 months into it, bam. But if
>> life will be good for the next 3+ years, lifetime is a no-brainer.
>>
>> Just looking for thoughts on this issue. Thanks in advance.
>>
>
>Your calculations are wrong. A simple check will show you that life
>units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
>something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value.

This is assuming you're going to sell it. Some people actually like
the Replays and are going to use them instead. In that case, the break
even point IS 23 months.

>After a
>few months, lifers are way ahead of the game. A recent survey on the AVS
>forum for replay shows about 80% go lifetime.

--
106 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http/notstupid.laughingsquid.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

In article <chs32b017b8@news4.newsguy.com>, "Jeff" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

> I plan on keeping mine for many years. The DVArchive software is great. The
> automatic commercial advance is wonderful.

That's the reason I bought a 5080. I have a friend who SWEARS by
Commercial Advance. She says most of the time they go half an hour into
things before realizing they aren't seeing commercials.

I didn't realize, though, that the (unhacked) 55xx models can still do
the same thing--albeit manually, with the Show/Nav button. Ah, well.
5080 will do me just fine, thank you.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 09:11:15 -0400, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
<elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote:

>In article <chs32b017b8@news4.newsguy.com>, "Jeff" <nospam@nospam.com>
>wrote:
>
>> I plan on keeping mine for many years. The DVArchive software is great. The
>> automatic commercial advance is wonderful.
>
>That's the reason I bought a 5080. I have a friend who SWEARS by
>Commercial Advance. She says most of the time they go half an hour into
>things before realizing they aren't seeing commercials.
>

The first time I tried Commercial Advance, it shipped over a lot of
the show. Apparently, this varies between shows (and will work fine on
some). I don't care to limit my viewing to such compatible shows.

>I didn't realize, though, that the (unhacked) 55xx models can still do
>the same thing--albeit manually, with the Show/Nav button. Ah, well.
>5080 will do me just fine, thank you.

Manual works fine. That way you can tell it's a commercial you're
skipping over.

--
106 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http/notstupid.laughingsquid.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

>>Your calculations are wrong. A simple check will show you that life
>>units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
>>something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value.
>
>
> This is assuming you're going to sell it. Some people actually like
> the Replays and are going to use them instead. In that case, the break
> even point IS 23 months.

The length of time you keep it is immaterial to the beak even point.
That's akin to saying your 2004 Honda is worthless because you intend to
run it into the ground. The break even point remains the same, though
your savings get greater the longer you have it.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

In article <auc3k0lsepmp29540oel0mcejt48ciivkk@4ax.com>,
Mark Lloyd <mlloyd@5xxxmail.com5xxx> wrote:

> The first time I tried Commercial Advance, it shipped over a lot of
> the show. Apparently, this varies between shows (and will work fine on
> some). I don't care to limit my viewing to such compatible shows.

Ah, but to have the OPTION is nice.

Choices are good. Hollywood taking away my choices is bad.

 

[Steph]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

Mark Lloyd <mlloyd@5xxxmail.com5xxx> wrote in
news:3bd3k09cac0iblgsoulpeiakma8e6al8if@4ax.com:

> On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 09:00:54 -0400, Tony D <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>>Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
>>> So what's the general opinion here nowadays? Pay month to month, or
>>> buy lifetime activation?
>>>
>>
>>Your calculations are wrong. A simple check will show you that life
>>units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
>>something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value.
>
> This is assuming you're going to sell it. Some people actually like
> the Replays and are going to use them instead. In that case, the break
> even point IS 23 months.
>

Actually the "break-even" point is not exactly 23 months. You would need
to account for lost/earned interest and apply weight to the sunken cost
factors and more. Simple linear equations make it easy to explain but
are not as accurate as implied.

Plus for me, I bought my RTV with "Birthday cash". It was money I didn't
have previously. Had I not used it for the purchase price including
lifetime subscription it would have been devoured up some other way
(various expenses). So in this case I view the cost of the unit as a
sunken cost and IF I were to sell it I would be making a profit; of
course I have no intention of selling so I benefit from no future
liabilities (monthly payments) -- so either way I am increasing my
assets.

 

[Steph]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

Tony D <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in news:RfqdnYOGRMtsKtzcRVn-
sg@comcast.com:

>
>>>Your calculations are wrong. A simple check will show you that life
>>>units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
>>>something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value.
>>
>>
>> This is assuming you're going to sell it. Some people actually like
>> the Replays and are going to use them instead. In that case, the
break
>> even point IS 23 months.
>
> The length of time you keep it is immaterial to the beak even point.
> That's akin to saying your 2004 Honda is worthless because you intend
to
> run it into the ground. The break even point remains the same, though
> your savings get greater the longer you have it.
>


The "23 month break-even point" is overly simplistic.
To not factor in interest lost or gained is also implying that you don't
believe the unit will last the 23 months.

Sort of like "buying" your big screen TV from a Rent to Own place; by
leasing the service you have nothing to show for it at the end of a
term. Sounds crazy to map a discussion of equity onto a [Digital] Video
Recorder but that is what it is.

"Buy" that 5xxx series model now for only $99 and your monthly lease
payment is only $12 for life. Stop paying and stop getting the benefit
of the appliance.

Obviously I plan to use my units until they fail to function in this
world; therefore my break-even point was Month Zero. If I had paid
even a single month of service before switching to lifetime I would have
spent [wasted] an additional $12 on my purchase price.

If I was unsure about my committment to the deivce then monthly would be
better, or probably the cable-company DVVR since for that same $10-15
you rent the entire hardware not just the subscription service.

 

[Greg]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

>Actually the "break-even" point is not exactly 23 months. You would need
>to account for lost/earned interest and apply weight to the sunken cost
>factors and more

Yup, if I bought the 9's and sold the 12's in Martha Stewart stock $299 would
be close to a grand now. ;-)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

In article <cht6kq$mos$1@reader1.panix.com>,
General Kireiko <douglas@panix.com> wrote:

> If you are going to install them on your network, and archive
> stuff to your PC (or VCD, or DVD), you really don't NEED to throw in
> the extra hard disk.

I am, but I am building one to be self-sufficient for my wife and kids
to use. The last thing I need is a long distance phone call when I'm
out of town, trying to get her to make XP work so everyone can watch
SpongeBob.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 10:19:24 -0400, Tony D <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:

>
>>>Your calculations are wrong. A simple check will show you that life
>>>units sell for more than $200 more than monthlies on eBay. How much
>>>something costs you is the total cost minus the resale value.
>>
>>
>> This is assuming you're going to sell it. Some people actually like
>> the Replays and are going to use them instead. In that case, the break
>> even point IS 23 months.
>
>The length of time you keep it is immaterial to the beak even point.
>That's akin to saying your 2004 Honda is worthless because you intend to
>run it into the ground.

I said nothing of the kind. The resale price is irrelevant to a
product's value if you intend to use something rather than sell it.

> The break even point remains the same, though
>your savings get greater the longer you have it.

--
106 days until the winter solstice celebration

Mark Lloyd
http/notstupid.laughingsquid.com