Cost of BTV

[duerra]

Does BeyondTV ever offer any price promotions for the software? I'm sure there are a lot of people on here that will defend the price, but $70 is kind of steep, IMHO.

[Brett]

Short answer, is yes it has been done. Often? Not really.

Occasionally Frys/Outpost/other 3rd-parties have good deals on it too.

-Brett

[ClamsTheCat]

I think it is a good price when you pay the $70 and get the firefly remote for free. You figure even a comperable remote at a good price would be $30. And the Firefly is a great remote especially in conjuncion with BTV and BM.

[duerra]

Maybe, but I already have a remote. I would just like the software, but I can't afford it at $70. I could probably manage it at $50, but not $70. =/

[dirchm0628]

I agree with Clams. The Firefly is a great remote. I paid for mine before they were bundling them with BTV and it was definately worth the price.. Also I've had BTV since 2004. If I had owned a Tivo I would have spent more than that on subscription rates.

[ClamsTheCat]

Save your change for a few weeks and then swing by the coinstar machine

[duerra]

I figured I would be looked at like a whiner by some people on the forum, but some people are on a budget. It is really a slap in the face when more fortunate people forget that. I wasn't asking for a handout, just asking if there are ever any price specials on the BeyondTV software, so why don't you grow up a bit, eh?

And on another note, coinstar is a massive ripoff - just stop by the bank instead of giving away 10% of every dollar.

[rakeshagrawal]

Originally Posted by duerra

And on another note, coinstar is a massive ripoff - just stop by the bank instead of giving away 10% of every dollar.

Generally, I'd agree, but as I sat there rolling coins one evening a couple of weeks ago (at my wife's insistence!) so that the bank would take our change, I thought to myself, "Hmmm, maybe paying 10% wouldn't be so bad after all." And rip-off or not, Coinstar *is* a great idea for a vending machine.

[queonda]

If you can wait, like other's suggested, wait. Have you tried the trial version to see if you like it?

Yes, it's a pricey investment. But you have other options. Don't break the (your) bank. Don't forget the hardware, maybe PC upgrade, other software which will add to the price. If you can wait, I got my BTV for $50 with a free Beyond and firefly (but then again this was 6 months ago and don't think it will happen again.

[duerra]

Thank you, rakeshagrawal.

On a side note, I haven't had any problems with my bank accepting change, but even if they don't, if you have a casino near by, they always will.

[queonda]

Originally Posted by rakeshagrawal

Generally, I'd agree, but as I sat there rolling coins one evening a couple of weeks ago (at my wife's insistence!) so that the bank would take our change, I thought to myself, "Hmmm, maybe paying 10% wouldn't be so bad after all." And rip-off or not, Coinstar *is* a great idea for a vending machine.

I don't know if they have started doing this but I've read that coinstar was going to start to give an option for giftcards (instead of the 10% fee) from big stores like bestbuy and starbucks.

[collin]

I got BTV3 for free after rebate at Fry's the day after last thanksgiving. Free upgrades to BTV4 and the current version. Since then, Fry's has had a few deals for BTV4 for about $20 after rebate.

[Eric3a]

Yes I too found the initial price rather steep but after playing around wih the trial version I plunged in. For me it was more a mental barrier than a budget problem. I guess I'm a cheap bastard sometimes!
Reallistically compared to a number of softwares I actually now think that it is good value.

Considering how long I've had it now and how great the program is I have to say that it has been one of the most satisfying sotware purchases I've done. I just spent $130 or close to it on WinXP and that sure is not satisfying!

The real "total ownership cost" of BTV though is a lot more in computer hardware if you get sucked in (and if all goes well you will!) as you'll find yourself wanting more HD (one never has enough HD space), more/better tuners, better machine, etc...

I hope you find a way either to get a price you're confortable with or to be able to afford the initial cost. BTV is just worth it in my opinion.
Eric

[ClamsTheCat]

Originally Posted by duerra

so why don't you grow up a bit, eh?

Jessica...is that you?!?! Sorry you were just sounding like my wife right there duerra

Seriously though, just save up a bit of cash over the next month or so. The trial version lasts 21 days, if you like it by the end of the trial run you should have about what you need.

The main reason everyone keeps suggesting the whole saving thing is that while it has happened before, BTV does not go on sale often. They usually just bundle something with the software to make it a better value (like the firefly).

And by the way I am not "more fortunate". I am just good at saving nickels.

[enigma9o7]

I saved $20 by buying a tuner card (kworld atsc-110) that came with BTV 3.8SE. It came with a remote too, but I don't need it, already had a streamzap (which I still use). Not firefly I dont think, cant remember, never used it since I was already familiar with my existing remote. I wonder if I could sell the remote on ebay or something... hmmmm.

Anyways it cost $49 to buy BTV4.0 as an upgrade (which upgraded free to the other 4.x). I dunno if there's something similar like that now tho.

And people are right about it causing you to spend more money later... I've been using BTV about a year now, and just spent almost $200 last week on a new hard drive and video card, only because of BTV.