Are classic DirectTivos good investments?

[Will]

Is a classic DTivo worth $150-$200 at this point?

There is evidence that the Tivo storehouse of "refurbed" Philips/Hughes DirecTivos will start to become readily available to existing subscribers for around $200, with warranty, and that the used prices will be forced down to the $150 area. I'd guess this is all starting to happen because of the approaching reality of the better/faster new model at $199.

If the new DirecTivos are not going to be hackable for a long time, or ever, then maybe it makes sense to pick up another classic DTivo or two for insurance.

I have two Tivos that we use, both legitimately subscribed BTW, and another I keep for experimentation/hacking and eventual use for replacement parts to keep my other two going. I paid reasonable prices for all these and was never tempted to add to my insurance by getting another one for $400 or so. But now that they're getting reasonable, I am tempted.

I could never use a 40/80/100GB DirecTivo. If I can't boost the storagein the new model, I'm simply not interested. The other enhancements possible on classic DTivos are also something I'd have a hard time living without. I'm simply not interested in the new DirecTivos, and never will be unless they're hackable.

I'd like to hear your thinking on this. Is it a good idea to pick up a used DTivo or two while there's supply at a good price? Or is it likely the new model will be cracked at some point in the next year or so? What's your guess?

[BubbleLamp]

Where'd you get this info Will? I see them selling for over $400 on eBay! I'd love to pick up a second for a "spare".

[captain_video]

The supply of refurbished DTivos is rapidly diminishing, at least for the on-line sat dealers (this is based on info I read in several other forums). I recently picked up a refurbed DSR6000 from American Satellite for $249, including shipping (for existing DTV subscribers). They generally go for much more on ebay. I'd like to know where you heard this about a stashed supply of these units. The price of these units is driven by the market. Actually, when you consider what you get with a DTivo, $300-400 is still a bargain. Check out the prices of SA Tivos and Dolby Digital DSS receivers and you'll see where I'm coming from. I sincerely doubt that you will find a DTivo in the price range you speculated. Where have you seen them at this price? We would all be interested in knowing your source. The only deals I've seen at these prices are for new subscribers only. Since most of us are existing DTV subscribers, this would not apply to us.

What makes you think that the new DTivos aren't hackable? They use the same Linux OS as the existing DTivos so they will most certainly be hackable. I guess the question is, what is it you want to do with it? There are already upgrade kits available for the series 2 SA Tivos. MFSTools 2.0 already supports upgrading these units. I'm not sure where you're getting your info but you seem to be sadly misinformed. The only thing that might dissuade me from ever purchasing a series 2 DTivo is the fact that there may be no edge connector on the mainboard for installing a TurboNet adapter for video extraction. The new units do have USB 2.0 ports so I'm sure it won't be long before someone develops a way to extract videos using this port.

[badkarma]

Where can I find a unit for 150??? or even 200-250?

[IWantMyDTV]

FYI:


[list=1] The SA series 2 TiVos have NOT been hacked yet. (Additional drive space does not require any software mods)
The bios on SA series 2 TiVos is not onboard flashable
(This is speculation) Tivo will at least try to secure the S2 better than the S1 DTiVo for obvious reasons.
[/list=1]

[Will]

>> What makes you think that the new DTivos aren't hackable? They use the same Linux OS as the existing DTivos so they will most certainly be hackable. <<

>> I'm not sure where you're getting your info but you seem to be sadly misinformed. <<

I, also, hope the new DTivos are hackable. Someday. I was asking for _informed_ guesses about _when_. I wasn't really talking to the type of person who somehow feels Linux is relevant to the question, as opposed to the security features thought to be included in the new DTivos. But thanks anyway.

[captain_video]

Sorry about any misinformation. I just did some further research and there have indeed been some security features added to the series 2 DTivos that, for the moment, will prevent them from being hacked. I figure it's only a matter of time before someone reverse engineers the EEPROM and figures out how to incorporate updates like 2.5Xtreme. You can, however, still upgrade the DTivos for greater capacity. There is also apparently a means to connect your new DTivo to a network with a USB ethernet adapter offered by 9thTee. I'm not sure that video extraction will be a viable option for a while though.

May main point about Linux being hackable is that it's an operating system that is widely understood by the hacking community. Conversely, a UTV uses WindowsCE and little is know about it in terms of hacking, which is why the UTV is basically shunned by hackers. At this point, it's anybody's guess as to when, or even if, the new DTivos will be hackable since they have not yet appeared in the marketplace. You can be assured that there will be much effort in cracking these units for various upgrades as quickly as possible (hackers love a good challenge). BTW, I think we're all still waiting to hear about your source for cheap DTivos.

[Fugg]

as long as there are morons who will pay $400+ for them on ebay, we're SOL.