Does watching over the air HD TV require a subscription from TiVo?

Question

I have been looking at this Samsung receiver that lets my HD TV pickup free over the air HD programming. I am looking at this specific device right here: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8102796&type=product&id=1161734592183 I want to buy this because my HD TV does not have a digital tuner, but it does have the 5 component connectors.

Now I am thinking about a TiVo. Their HD dual tuner model for $299.99 lets you watch free over the air high definition and lets you record. Recording would be kind of cool, but I can wait on that. So what I am wondering, can I just purchase the TiVo now and receive the free over the air HD programming and just buy the subscription later for the recording part? I don't need it right now for cable channels. Eventually I want to hook it up to cable channels as well as for over the air, but right when I purchase it, I just want to get CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox in HD over the air. Does this require a subscription for just that aspect of it?

Answer 1

I have DirectTV with TIVO & recieve free over the air local HD networks. I subscribed to one of thier cable channel packages & the TIVO service. I do not have the exact unit you are looking at, however my understanding of the matter is that you need to have a subscription  to activate the box. They download the channel guide via satallite, and while the local channels you recieve via antenna are indeed free, I do not believe you can use it ONLY for this. I am unsure if you can activate the box without a TIVO subscription; that may be possible. If not you can get two seperate units, one for your channels (without TIVO), and a DVR later to record.

If you wish to subscribe to a channel package, call Direct TV. They upgraded us to an HD TIVO unit for $5 a month. The TIVO service is pretty inexpensive ( I believe it is also $5 a month), and it's worth it's weight in gold. You'll never have to watch commercials again & all your favorite shows will be ready for you whenever you want to watch them. Once you go TIVO, you'll never go back!

HD channels are worth it too, especially if you are a sports fan! It' such a difference that non HD football actually looks blurry to me!

Good Luck!