Just found it interesting since this is usually the one plus Replay fans have over TiVo. No more.

Article also makes mention of Replay 4500. Maybe some sort of involvement with Empeg Ltd.?
Linky

Damn.... that was always why I supported RePlay over Tivo (that and the fact that Tivo was sold to several studios when the studios freaked about people skipping commercials). But... Tivo has a good lead, so maybe following thier business play is a good idea.

I don't see how Replay forcing you to pay in advance instead of offering the additional option to go monthly was a reason to support them...

Because in the long run, it was cheaper to just "buy and forget".

TiVo lifetime sub is back down to $199 now, so it is less of an issue anyway. When you buy a TiVo, you have to make at least two transactions. First is buying the TiVo. Second is buying the service.

For some people, making one transaction makes more sense. Little do they know, they are buying an inferior product on almost every level.

And because it's the better product, I didn't really mind the $3 increase in the monthly subscription (I got the monthly because I didn't have enough cash for the lifetime )

In reply to:

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TiVo lifetime sub is back down to $199 now,

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Nowhere that I can find, except for old customers who last month were offered that opportunity before month costs went to $13.

Ooo, you're right. It is still $249 for new subs here. Sorry about that.

In reply to:

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Ooo, you're right. It is still $249 for new subs here. Sorry about that.

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I hoped I was wrong. I have some "spares" which will become gifts, when I can figure out who I know that can use one and afford the $13/month, or when I have too much money

Wait and see the new pricing options before getting upset about them.

Rob

when will the new prices be released ?

I hope that the 4500 will be offered outside the US.

Rob, since you seem to have contacts in this area [given you know the pricing] - If the SB Replay 4500 team are looking for a Beta Tester in a non-European country with PAL I'm willing to beta or alpha test the products for free.

I already have 2 Tivos so I can compare directly the 4500 with the Tivo and how well it works or doesn't work [and I have a Pace decoder to test the 'satellite' reception/handling as well].

FWIW: We use PAL B/G down here, with NICAM Stereo, Australia also use PAL B/G but they use A2 or whatever that German Stereo system is, not NICAM.

I understand from Tivo that the NICAM support in the UK Tivos was one of the real issues that the UK Tivo had - so if Replay plan to release it outside the US, testing this feature in what-ever countries its going to be sold would be worthwhile.

My understanding is that the new price structure will be announced at the release of the 4500.

Rob

I don't think we need any non-US beta testers currently, but if any opportunities arise in future I'll let you know.

In the US I believe there is already a long queue for beta testing (mostly existing Replay owners).

Regards

Rob

Beta-testing is hard work. I feel sorry for the poor guy who has to beta-test Ferraris.

Man this REALLY makes me think about ordering an RTV 4000 RIGHT NOW before they implement this.

Rob, have there been any public announcements of what new features will be available on the 4500 series over the 4000 series (besides the subscription model?) I've been debating getting a 4000 and this adds fuel to the fire. Unless there's some huge feature that will make the 4500 model worth it, I'm really leaning towards getting in on the 4000.

I don't believe anything has been announced about future models yet.

Rob

Hmmm. Well if they knocked say $400 off the RTV 4040 price I could see this being worth it, because these things become obsolete in 2-3 years anyway. This all depends on the monthly fee, of course.

At least an RTV 4000 would be a relatively sure thing, in that I'd be spending $700 now but I wouldn't have to worry about the subscription fees. Plus, for some reason, I predict that Sonic Blue will be at least partially caving in to some of the litigation that's currently aimed at them in these new models.

Decisions, decisions.. I bought both my Empegs at exactly the wrong time, why not make it three in a row?