It WILL change the way you watch TV....Really!

Can't record 2 channels at once (though you can view one and record something else, just like a VCR) and you can't watch a live TV show and record another channel (see text). Guide navigation is sometimes slow. One channel is unwatchable due to RF being generated by the Tivo unit itself (see text).

I bought this unit as a Demo for $125. After playing with it for a month, I was hooked and spent $325 on a Maxtor 80GB hard drive and upgraded the unit myself (this voids the warranty, but given my initial investment, that didn't bother me much). This turns the unit into a 100+ hour recorder (at Medium Quality). I use the unit in 'Best Quality' mode due to the fact that my display is a 58" HDTV. Picture quality in this mode is excellent, but not perfect, If I bypass Tivo and watch TV via a direct cable-feed, I can see that it's a bit sharper, with a lack of pixelation (keep in mind that the HDTV will bring out the worst in even the best signal). I wish that when you watch 'live' TV that it would bypass the buffer and feed the signal directly, but unfortunately, 'live' isn't really, it's delayed by a fraction of a second and you're watching it via the buffer. As shipped, the unit buffers 30 minutes of the current channel, this can be upped to 60 minutes if you're technically savvy. Unfortunately, you can't watch a live program via Tivo and record another program at the same time, unless you physically bypass the Tivo (I use my VCR to do this). You CAN watch a previously recorded show while recording something else, though.
Initially, I was using the tuner built into the Tivo, and I noticed that the local Fox station was just about unwatchable via the Tivo, but perfect via direct cable. Apparantly, the CPU in the Tivo unit generates enough internal RF that it intereferes with this channel. I subsequently used my cable box to feed the Tivo via it's S-inputs and the problem disappeared.

Ok, those are my quibbles. Like I said, once you start using it, you get hooked. I come home to find not only my favorite shows, but also some shows that I would have never considered watching before (this can be good or bad, depending on how dedicated you are to indicating the shows that you like and dislike). If you don't like what's recorded, it's gone at the push of a button. The on-screen guide is better than anything that the cable company can come up with, though it can be a little slow when scrolling from page-to-page. The scheduling features are complex, but once you understand how they work, you'll never miss a show.

Equipment used:
Mitsubishi 58" HD Projection TV
Pioneer Elite VSX-09TX Receiver
Pioneer Elite DVL-91 DVD/LD Player
Scientific Atlanta Digital Cable Box

The TiVo Programming

Pixelation

Great unit. 14hr unit not enough. Have to upgrade to larger harddrive. I got it for $100 after rebate and it's worth it!!! It's programming flexiblity is addictive. Once you use it you'll never go back to VCR, unless to get recorded program from TiVo to tape.

Similar Products Used:

None

Does what it's suppose to do.

Needs more capacity.

This is a great device. It's easier to use than a toaster.

When comparing it to the Replay PDR, the best feature it has is the 8 second back up. Let me explain. When you fast forward through commercials and hit play when you see the show come back, it automatically backs up a few seconds because it knows you will over shoot. And it does it perfectly. This is a great feature and works really well. The Replay doesn't do this.
Once again, This is a great device. It will redefine the way you think about and watch television. So don't worry about whether or not it's a good investment. Just buy it. You'll love it. Any problems setting it up and you can get tech support by phone or the internet. I mean it. It's the best thing in the world if you like to watch TV. Even if you don't like to watch TV. You probably don't like TV because there is never anything on. That will all change. Because there is good programing on TV. Your just never home when its on. This device solves that problem specifically. It records everything you like for later viewing. Go to the web site and check it out.
www.tivo.com

You won't regret this purchase.

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VCR's

Great TV appliance.

What it does is hard to explain to some people.

This is my second post about this product. I still love it. I couldn't live without it. I watch what I want when I want. And I skip the commercials too.
My only gripe was that I bought one of the first ones and it only had 14 hours of capacity at basic. After buying a 36" TV (up from 27"), we had to start using medium with only 9 hours of capacity. This is because the better the playback quality the more disc space you use. Nine hours is not enough for 3 people. But I just upgraded it myself buy formating a 60 gig hard drive and installing it. Now I have 91 hours of capacity in basic and 55 hours in medium. The new hard drive cost $200.00 and the hard drive bracket cost $20.00. The info for this can be found at this site:

www.tivoupgradecentral.com

Installing and learning to use this thing is not for everybody. But once you get it going, everybody love's it.

Similar Products Used:

Many VCR's.

Digital Recording, Easy Access to recorded programs, Pause Live TV, Season Pass

Interface w/ General Instrument Digital Cable Box

I love this product, and have not used my VCR since I got it 2 months ago. It is true that the unit doesn't support DD audio, but how many programs are broadcast in DD anyway. Besides, I much prefer watching DVD movies. This product is meant for TV watching/recording. It records digitally, thereby giving you the same picture quality of your satallite and digital cable transmission. Did I already say I love this unit? The TV Guide system is great also, showing you not only all the channels for a particular time,but what's goinng to be on a given channel for the next 6 hours (all displayed at the same time). Hard to explain. You'll have to go see it for yourself. If you are a sports fan, this unit is a must. I never have to wait for the network to replay/slo mo any play ever again. I am in control of this at any time I want.

One major complain is that Tivo does not work well with my General Instrument DCT-1000 digital cable unit. On many occasion, since Tivo controls my cable unit, my cable unit cannot respond fast enough to the Tivo channel command, thus it either changed to the wrong channel or doesn't change the channel at all. My digital cable box doesn't have a serial interface, therefore, I have to use the IR interface. This problem has been very frustrating to me, since I've missed a few good shows that I wanted to record many times already.

All in all,an excellent product for what it does (if they can just make it work better with the cable box).

Everything, this unit ROCKS!

needs more hard disk space, but I can't really complain for $100!

I have had my eye on the Tivo for a couple of years or so. I would use a VCR for my taping b4 and I really disliked waiting until the game (or whatever) was completely over to start watching it. Trying to avoid seeing the scores sometimes was very difficult.

The Tivo is just what the doctor ordered. When I saw the Circuit City double $100 rebate deal I went for it (retail $300, CC rebate $100, Philips rebate $100). I am not a big fan of rebates, but both Philips and Circuit City came through with the $$. I went ahead and bought the lifetime $200 subscription to the program listings. So total cost of the unit was $300 w/ lifetime directory service.
Please note that this lifetime directory service is tied to the unit (serial number) and not the user.

Functionally this thing is fantastic! The remote is great, and the menus are well thought out. Just pick what program you want to see either by time, name, or manually. 3 FF speeds, with a preset backup upon stopping on the faster 2 (they figure you will overshoot and automatically compensate - works really well).

I actually use the highest compression level ("Basic") for everything because we record a bunch of shows (a couple of 3.5hr football games would fill the thing up on any other setting). For sitcoms, talk shows, news, Basic is fine. For fast moving sports, it can get a bit grainy, but I can live with it for now (until I upgrade :)! Basic quality is very close to the ELP or LP (extra long play or long play) mode on most VCRs.

Again, for $100 it's tough to expect the world, but these are the things I wish the HDR112 would do:

- automatic xfer to VCR since I have the 14 hr unit we fill it up quickly. There is a "xfer to vcr" feature, but it has to be done manually for each show. I think the Sony models automate this feature.

- longer "real time" buffer, sometimes I want to pause live TV for longer than 30 secs

- If you accidentally change channels, the buffer is cleared. I would like the buffer to be continuously updated through channel changes (i.e., if you watch ch12 for 15min, and then switch to ch10 for 15min, the buffer would still contain recorded info from both channels).

- automatic commercial skip like some vcrs employ

- a little more control over the automatic deletion of shows due to space constraints

- I would like the unit to automatically record .5hr longer for sporting events as Basketball and Football games very often run long.

- wish I could buy myself a lifetime subscription to the unit and not have it tied to the hardware, but alas, that's how Philips is making their money!


BOTTOM LINE:
Well, yes I want it to do a whole lot more, but AS IS it kicks ass! This is certainly the most useful piece of electronic equipment I have EVER purchased, hands down.

You gotta get you one-a these! :)

Similar Products Used:

VCRs

Truly changes the way you watch TV. 2 week TV guide, scheduling, season passes, pause live TV, suggestions, instant replay, hackability, etc....

None

I have had TiVo for 2 years now and it is truly the greatest consumer electronics product since color TV. Since 14 hours in low quality isn't really enough, I added an 80 gig drive to mine and it now gives me 30 hours in best quality (108 hours in basic), which really makes all of its features come alive. I now watch very little live TV and always have something to watch. It even finds all kinds of shows and documentaries that I never would have watched otherwise. v2.01 software that came out earlier this year is awesome and will only get better in the future. I very highly recommend it for everyone!

Guys and gals, this is a must have product in your home! It does exactly what it is suppose to do. Records 1 or 2 shows simultaneously. Can watch shows when you want to and how you want to. Good picture quality. Pausing live TV is something I don't know how I lived without. It has improved my relationship with my wife, because I can stop the game without ignoring her by telling her I'll get back to her at the next commercial break. Now I can watch it all live or taped without missing any action-Important for sports fans and gamblers. The wife doesn't miss the end of her favorite late night shows anymore either. Phone rings-no problem-you can talk and get back to show in a few minutes. Great invention!

Program menu's for live TV are not as good as most satellite receivers like my Sony A55. Slow and Clumsey without easy to see channel icon's. You can only view about 20 channel lists at a time. Trying to view what's on TV 20 channels at a time takes too long. 30 hours seems like it's enough time, but with a family of 5, all with different tastes, we only get to save a few programs each a weak, so we still miss alot.

Althoufgh the Tivo has many great automatic recording features, it doesn't do a great job recording season passes for sports packages. There are many times Tivo will attempt to automatically record a game on the wrong channel that is not avaialable. For example- all season pass hockey games must be recorded on the 740-760 channels, but could be available on othet channels such as the non local Fox channel that I don't get unless I have the Sports package as well. Tivo will attempt to record the wrong channel 90% of the time. So I have to review the upcoming schedule of recordings daily, remove the channels that I don't receive from the pre recorded list and set the Tivo to record the correct channel. This feature also ties up the TV when I am out of town trying to record 2 games at the same time and won't allow my wife to watch live tv because Tivo can only do 2 things at once. Their should be a bypass feature that would allow Tivo to record both games and allow the cable feed to be bypassed someone else so they can watch regular tv on the cable feed. We direc-tv on one set with the TIVO and cable for all other tv's. You can't by pass the Tivo without doing some very creative wiring configurations which then requires the use of 5-6 different remotes and input swithcing which drives simple people crazy when they just want to watch the damn news, so I won't go there.

The remote requires a direct point at the Tivo receiever and the directional menu buttons on the remote are very clumsy.

A must have product for any sports fan and for families. Records everything and is easy to use. The kids get to see all their Bob The Builder shows, the wife gets to watch all her prime time shows and doesn't have to stay awake until 11 pm to see the end and I don't miss the games. We all watch TV when we like to and how we like to. Don't know how we lived without one of these. Wish it had more space because 30 hours isn't a lot for a famaily of 5. Overall-this product is great!

Similar Products Used:

None-Just some other

Easy and simple to use/setup.

Monthly subscription @ $9.95 required, or a one time lifetime subscription @ $199. But both worth it!!!!!!!

I feel so lucky I discovered these "personal TV receivers", and sorry for those who have yet to know about them. THey are completely fantastic!!! Phillips makes the most popular one thats driven by "TIVO", a subscription service that delivers TV listings for all and any area/format. Directv, cable tv, antenna tv, Tivo has listings for all. There downloaded via phone line to the Tivo receiver on a daily basis and the unit allows you to search listings for all and any show up to 2 weeks ahead. And then the tivo records the show either once, or any time its ever on in the future automatically! Thats the magic of Tivo. Like I LOVE LUCY? Tivo will find each and every showing and "control" your cable tv or satellite receiver to tune to and record I LOVE LUCY - always. Or your favorite soap, movie, talk show, you name it. And it does not use a tape to record, but uses internal drives to record the video on. That allows you to do a lot of neet things watching the show, like pause, fast forward/reverse with no waiting or searching, not like you have with a vcr and tapes. After you watch your show, delete it or copy it to a vcr for saving if you like. THe Tivo intergrates all your tv sources into one tv listing that shows all channels you get reguardless of source (cable, antenna, satellite). And can select and record from any and all of them. Theres more!!! Tivo units always record "live" tv as you're watching it. That lets you pause and reverse "Live" tv. Hard to believe, but true! In recording shows, the Tivo finds and grabs all the shows you ask it to. So when you get home, you have a list of all the shows Tivo recorded for you to watch, thats the "personal tv" part of it. Tivo can also record new shows while you watch the shows tivo already recorder. Everyone who had discovered these units have raved about them and told how it changed their tv viewing forever. Tivo users will never give up the freedom of tv viewing after experiencing this fantastic new technology. I just hope everyone could discover this new wonder. You owe it to yourself to check out Tivo. WWW.tivo.com

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Standard VCR tape recorders.

CONVENIENCE

PIXELIZATION

IVE NEVER BEEN A FAN OF RECORDING (DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF IT). HOWEVER, THIS UNIT MAKES RECORDING SO EASY. THE GUIDE IS ALSO BETTER THAN MY GUIDE ON DIRECTTV. MY CHIEF COMPLAINT IS THAT I HAVE A LARGE SCREEN TV AND THIS IN NO WAY REPRESENTS THE SAME PICTURE AS A DIRECT FEED FROM MY SATELLITE "S" VIDEO TO THE TV. IT DEGRADES THE PICTURE WHEN ITS NOT RECORDING AND THE ARTIFACTS ARE DEFINITELY THERE AND ANNOYING (ALMOST UNWATCHABLE IN BASIC) ON A LARGE SCREEN TV. HOWEVER, THE PRODUCT IS GREAT FOR CONVENIENCE (MY CHILDREN RECORD ONE SHOW PER NITE ON NICKELODEON BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO TO BED EARLY). DON'T BUY THIS MACHINE IF YOU THINK ITS GOING TO OFFER BEAUTIFUL PICTURE QUALITY (ON A LARGE SET). I'M SURE THAT FUTURE MODELS, HARDWARE, AND INTERFACING WILL CHANGE THE PICTURE PROBLEM AND I'M QUITE SURE THAN THE P/C WILL GET INTO THIS DOMAIN AND DVD SOMEHOW.

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VCRS