Thanks for the welcome. As for the subscription, I signed up for a monthly deal at $12.95, but then two days ago, changed it to the lifetime deal for $299. The rebate appears to be payable with a one year commitment or the lifetime sub. (The $12.95 that had already been charged to my credit card was refunded.) Along with it being my first post here, it's also my first Tivo, and I sure like the DVR.