No plans for TiVo on Guam
Bill from Boston, who listens to my podcast, was so intrigued about the prospect of Guam users ever being able to use TiVo, either through plans to intoduce that service out here in TechnicalNeverNeverland, or by the more consumer hack-savvy being able to fund a suitable workaround, that he wrote to TiVo and inquired about it. I had gone on a rant on a previous podcast, running down the numerous consumer tech products that I'd totally be into if they ever worked out here, and TiVo was right up there.
Here's the disappointing (but at least honest) response.
| | Hi, thank you for your question. I asked Support for some clarification on this and would like to pass this along. TiVo doesn't officially support Guam and there are currently no plans to do so. The same goes for Puerto Rico, actually. Although you have heard from some customers in these forums from Puerto Rico who successfully use TiVo there, this is because they use DirectTV, and DirectTV program guide data is consistent with what's available in the US. Getting local program guide data into your TiVo is really what complicates using a TiVo out of the US. Also, note that because TiVo doesn't officially support PR or Guam, you can't order a TiVo from tivo.com and ship it there -- TiVo only ships to a valid US mailing address. Likewise, in case you ever needed to send an unit back to TiVo for a support issue, TiVo only sends to valid US addresses as well. So if your TiVo ever stopped working, you might be forced to purchase a new TiVo (and if you buy a lifetime service contract, these usually aren't transferrable to another unit). So to recap, no, TiVo isn't officially supported in Guam but yes, some customers are finding a way to work around this policy. They are doing so at their own risk, however, as outlined above. Hope this helps to clarify. | |
Needless to say, I'm crestfallen - but at least now we know definitively. I gave up doing things like this years ago...the result is too predictable and heartbreaking. I guess it's a tradeoff for having 11 months of summer.
Thanks Bill!