Data usage of Tivo Roamio OTA

We used our Tivo on a 5 Gig data plan. The first download was large (like 400 meg if I remember right), then daily updates we didn't even notice. This is only for guide data.

I have the roamio ota in my house and love it.

We have a 3GB DATAPLAN with VERIZON MIFI and just use it for INTERNET access to check-in with the kids, pay some online bills, and do some small searching on the internet. Have never gone over the 3GB monthly data plane. This unit creates a secured WIFI setup for us and we can use up to five connected WIFI devices. Being on the VERIZON NETWORK it works well just about everywhere go to. Does not require our VERIZON CELLPHONE to work.

The 3GB PLAN works great for us but we DON'T do any of the down streaming of TV and MOVIES.

We use the OTA NATL BROADCAST of FREE CLEAR DIGITAL HDTV from local towns to satisfy our needs for TV PROGRAMS.

Roy Ken

Assuming your TIVO records from broadcast
the only data used is for the guide
my only worry would be...
if it looses the guide every time you disconnect 120v
you might need to leave it on inverter/shore power, to avoid doing a 400mb download everyday
in other words Dry camping and turning the inverter on/off everyday could be a data killer
don't have one.. don't know for sure..
just tossing this out for those with experience to answer

I've been using Tivo OTA for almost 4 years. The big download when you set it up is updating the software to the latest version. That will also happen a few times a year as they release updates. The guide info is minimal and is stored on the hard drive, so you will not lose it when you are off power.

Also, I have mine on a small UPS so it never really shuts off.

I have the slightly older series 3 HD TIVO. It seems to use very little data. My ISP (Cox cable) has a nice little graph that shows daily usage. When we go away for several days TIVO guide update is about the only use along with my webcams. The graph plunges to around 20kb to 40kb per day. Seems like 1Gb per month would cover it.

HD streaming uses 2 gigabytes per hour

thanks all for your input. I am ready to order the tivo roamio ota and cut my account w/ directv.

gerrym51 wrote:
HD streaming uses 2 gigabytes per hour

yes..
BUT the TIVO romano is a over the air "OTA" broadcast receiver
just like your TV, it does NOT USE internet to stream movies, that is NOT what it does, it Records OTA broadcasts

You can also view streaming content on the Tivo OTA Roamio which would use a bunch of data. If you stick with just OTA TV the only data consumed would be for the guide and software updates.