How does Tivo differ from a regular DVR?

Question

How does Tivo differ from a regular DVR?

Answer 1

The difference is probably in the interface. How easy it is to watch your recorded shows, how easy it is to schedule them, how easy it is to automatically search for shows you might have an interest in, etc. This is going to be different from one type of DVR to another, and probably something you have to try for yourself.

With Tivo you can buy videos from Amazon Unbox. I'm not sure if this is available with any other DVR.

Tivo does have the 30 seconds skip feature.

http://www.weaknees.com/30/

Answer 2

the only real difference is that Tivo has more hard rive space but it is also a subscription serve, a DVDR usualy come free withthe service you have but no they do not have the same hard drive space

Answer 3

We recently researched both Tivo and DVRs before making our purchase.  

The biggest thing that I noticed was that Tivo was more expensive.  It was about $12 a month.  Dish Network has a bundle plan and the DVR ended up costing us about $2 a month.  The Dish DVR also has a feature that I don't think Tivo had.  There is a blue button on it that allows you to skip ahead 30 seconds.  This feature rocks when you're watching a recorded program.  You push this button a couple of times and the commercials are over.

I did see a commercial recently and the Dish Dvr was rated by somebody as being better than Tivo.  I do admit that it's very easy to use.  We purchased a dual receiver so we can watch one program and record another.  We can even record two programs at the same time!

If you sign up for Dish check out the 722.  We went with it and it's by far the best receiver that we've owned.  My friends all come to my house for the boxing fights and games....

Answer 4

Yes, a TiVo does cost more than a "regular"  DVR from a satellite or cable company.

However, I have used DVRs from Comcast and Time Warner.

By far, TiVo was easiest to use and most reliable.  Comcast DVR would periodically not record things with no explanation.  The interface was not bad, but not as good as a TiVo.  Time Warner cable DVR was a bit of a nightmare when I used it.

Comcast has since licensed the TiVo interface and has started rolling it out in different areas of the US.

If copying shows from your DVR to your PC or Mac and burning DVDs is something you really want to do, go with the TiVo.  Their TiVoToGo desktop software and some purchased software for DVD burning can be used to burn DVDs of your favorite program.  People on Yahoo! Answers are always asking "How do I burn a DVD from my DVR?"  It could be easier than it is on a TiVo, but by far it is one of the easiest methods I've run across.

TiVo home networking is really useful.  Say you record a show on your living room DVR and then you want to watch it in your Bedroom.  If you have a network (WiFi or ethernet), you, you can transfer the shows between the TiVos.  I don't know of a cable or satellite DVR that can do this.

This is particularly useful when you have 3-4 shows that happen to be scheduled at the same time and you exceed the two simultaneous recordings you can do in any one DVR.

Amazon Unbox and TiVo.  You can download a TV show or Movie and watch it on your TiVo and/or your PC.  Shows are available purchase and rent.  This is similar to OnDemand (same restrictions as must be viewed with in 24 hours for rentals).

If you are a Rhapsody subscriber, you can listen to your music library through your TiVo.