do you have to pay a subscription for tivo series 2?

Answer 1

Yes. Without an active subscription you are very limited in what you can do.

Can't record, use guide, or network the TIVO.

You can watch shows that were previously recorded and use it as a tuner with 30 minute buffer.

Answer 2

Both of these above answers are perfectly correct, IF you want a basic Tivo that you can use ONLY to record manually like a VCR that stores more shows on it. This will not use the Tivo guide at all. The only Tivo that this works on now is a Tivo Series 1. Tivo implemented the Newer Series 2's and Series 3's to require a valid subscription to work at all.

Answer 3

Yes. However, for $300, you get three years of service.