Can someone explain TiVo to an old lady?

Question

I've always used a VCR to record shows I want to watch, but mine is pooping out (I've been using the same tape for 3 months since I can't get the one out of the recorder). I've heard (and tried to read) about TiVo, but I'm still very confused. Is it a service? A machine? Both? Can I program it daily based on what I want to watch that night, or do I have to buy a "season pass" (whatever that is) for each show? It sounds like a computer, and I'm definitely NOT good with those -- am I better off to just buy another VCR (they're cheap now)? Does it record on a DVD, and if so, do I have to change them when they get full or wear out? It all sounds so very complicated and expensive. I feel like a dinosaur -- I'm glad I retired when I did... Can anyone explain this SIMPLY to an old lady? Thanks in advance to all you young folks!

Answer 1

TiVo is a brand name for a particular line of Digital Video Recorders (DVR). A TiVo is a box which would replace your VCR. It records not on a DVD but on a computer hard drive. (But the resemblance to a computer really stops there.)

In order to fully avail yourself of TiVo's features you would need to subscribe to TiVo's electronic TV guide service. You can use TiVo without the service, but then it's like a VCR where you have to tell it start time, stop time, and channel number. With the subscription service, you can search by name of the show or movie, name of the actor, genre, etc., etc. To get TiVo, you have to pay three times: once to buy the TiVo box, once to subscribe to the TiVo guide service, and once (optionally) to rent the CableCARD descramblers from Comcast. See, TiVo by itself cannot unscramble scrambled Comcast content. By inserting CableCARDs from Comcast into the TiVo, you can get that content.

A far simpler and cheaper solution, since you already have Comcast, is to rent a DVR directly from Comcast. They will come to your house and hook it up for you. You will get the same basic capabilities as TiVo, missing some of TiVo's proprietary features. You basically stop using your TV's remote and start using Comcast's remote. It's not as scary hard as maybe it sounds. But you would have to rent a DVR for each TV you want to be able to watch recordings on.

Answer 2

TiVo is a pay service used in conjunction with your existing television service. It's essentially a smart DVR, a digital video recorder that records programming on its internal harddrive, no VHS tapes or DVD disks. It is programmed to respond to your viewing habits by actually learning your preferences over time based on actual viewing history and keyword search match-ups. You can then access the programming and view it at your leisure, pause, save, and replay just like files on your computer. It updates itself automatically, keeping adequate memory available by atuomatically deleting the old stuff you've seen. No full disks to change out. The

combination of the hardware and user friendly software makes it simpler to use than a non-integrated DVR, which'd have to be manually controlled, or outfitted with some other software to capture televised programs.

If your needs are simple, and you're satisfied with the results of VHS recording, you might decide to stick with the bargainpriced video tape method. They are old tech now, and very affordable.

You'd need one DVR for each TV you'll be recording from; each has its own seperate tuner.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

it is a machine that comes to you when you order something like DTV or COMCAST or DISH

Answer 4

TiVo is a machine and a service.  You purchase a tivo box then you pay monthly for tivo service.

You will be able to bring up a tv guide type listing on your screen.  You can just find the show you want to record and press the record button and it will record that show.

A "season pass" just means you want to record all the episodes of a particular show (nothing to purchase extra), for example if you like The Wheel of Fortune you can tell it you want a season pass and it will record that show every time it comes on.

Another nice advantage is even if you are watching live tv (not something you recorded) and the phone rings or you want to make dinner you can just push the pause key to pause the show and press play to resume the show when you are ready!

It records all the shows internally, there is nothing to change out and nothing to replace.  It is very easy to learn, you will find it MUCH EASIER to program than your VCR because it is all on screen and very well laid out.  I think you would be happy with one as long as you don't mind the monthly fee (i'm not sure what the fee is currently so you should check in to that).

If you have cable or satelite you may also want to call them and see if they have a DVR they can install for you, it is their version of a tivo except they will install it for you and show you how to use it.. may be a good idea!

Answer 5

Most people explained what TIvo is already. My recommendation: Call comcast and ask them to a upgrade you to a set-top box with Built-in PVR (same as Tivo).

They will come, set-it up for you and you are all set. Make sure you will get the HD one with two tuners. It allows you to record two programs at once or watch a live program while it records a second one.