HD-PVR - rent or buy?

[rapsfan12]

i currently use a rogers hd cable box but am thinking of upgrading to an hd-pvr box in time for the fall...for those of you who use one, are you renting or buying? and what do you recommend?

thanks!

[jb22]

I had the Rogers HD PVR; I was renting it only because it came free with my HDTV. If I were to purchase a PVR I think I'd look at other options since I wasn't always the biggest fan of the Scientific Atlanta.

Also, something I noticed with my PVR from Rogers. I had cancelled my service with them since I was leaving the country. So I had a week from when my service was cancelled to when I had to return the PVR to Rogers. I figured I'd fill the PVR up with movies and shows to entertain me while I was staying at my in-laws and they only have basic cable. To my surprise the PVR wouldn't let me access what I had recorded on it, it still needed to "talk" to Rogers to allow me playback of anything I had recorded. So I don't think I'd buy any equipment locked to one company.

[terrybear]

I had the repair peaple here 2 times about the Pace HD unit I got from them & basicaly both guys said, for standalone HD boxs ya could get away with it, BUT for the PVR units its simply best to rent them as there is no place to send them for repairs if you buy them outright.

[felix]

Unless there's a hot deal for a HD-PVR, I would just rent it because they keep coming out with new models and all the Scientific Atlanta ones are still inferior to Tivo (which is yet to come out in HD??).

Speaking of which, are they still supplying the 8300HD for new customers? I might sign up for TV again in August for the olympic games, and when Heroes, Prison Break, Survivor, etc starts in the fall.

[BoogieMan]

Save yourself from hassles of warranty, get peace of mind with rent!

[rapsfan12]

thanks

for some reason, the $24.95/mth doesn't sound bad at all when i found out...the limit of only 20hrs of hd-programming is less than i thought though...

question though - can you record two programs at the same time?

[matdwyer]

Neither... a painless 20 minute conversation with them on the phone asking them to match bells (made up) offer of a free hd-pvr for 2 years got one for free... for 2 years, along with like 1000 other people. Search for the thread in hot deals.

[joshuaave]

I've been told depending on your ethics, Sonicview8000 HD FTA PVR, no monthly programming fees for HD, payperview, or anything really, just download the fixes.
Buy...
http://www.skyhighelectronics.com/So...p/013-8000.htm
Review...
http://www.satmancanada.com/satmanca...sonicview.html

Even my 50y old buddy around the corner that works for Bell has one, lol.

[Rx8-black]

thanks

for some reason, the $24.95/mth doesn't sound bad at all when i found out...the limit of only 20hrs of hd-programming is less than i thought though...

question though - can you record two programs at the same time?

yes u can record 2 programs at the same time.

[driz]

Neither... a painless 20 minute conversation with them on the phone asking them to match bells (made up) offer of a free hd-pvr for 2 years got one for free... for 2 years, along with like 1000 other people. Search for the thread in hot deals.

+1 I got mine also like this

[Keas]

its sad that shaw cable doesn't let you rent the hd pvr or at least not when i had to purchase mine. the nearest thing they have if you have good credit is they will sell you one with monthly payments for 3 years.

as for service... i have had mine replaced 3 times and have now a 100% digital model. there are tons of problems with saving movies though from sound loss to losing part or almost all your show if there is any interference in the signal even for less than a minute - the pvr cant readjust and keep taping correctly.

i wish they would make some solid none proprietary hd hd pvr's so i am not stuck with having to buy another and sell this one if i change providers.

[jerryhung]

Rent for free


If I'm buying, I might look into TiVo instead

[Angela V]

My sister who works for Rogers says unless you can find it for half price don't bother. She said the PVRs can be glitchy (she has one like that). You will only get one year warrenty if you buy. With Renting you can keep switching out units that don't behave and upgrade to the newest model. If you try to get free rental, be very NICE. If she's working until 9pm and someone calls in the last 15 mins she'll usually give them what they want because she wants to get home

[WontonTiger]

yes u can record 2 programs at the same time.

However you need to be watching at least ONE of those channels. You can't PVR two shows, then watch a separate show on top of those two.

[ephemera]

I am renting the HDPVR from bell (actually got the deal for rent free for the year).

Anyhow... I think its fantastic. I really do love it. There are sometimes some audio sync issues, but its rare. It will get a good workout during the olympics for sure.

If it was on sale like $250, i would probably buy it in the future.