Is TiVo Really That Great?

Question

I'm think of getting the series 3 hd recorder from TiVo but I wanna know if it is the wisest choice. I have dish network already but it is very expensive. i need a cheaper solution ...is Tivo It?

Answer 1

I just got a Tivo Series 2 DT DVR, and what Julie said, is what I experienced.

I purchased my Tivo from an internet retailer, and registered it, but after hooking it up, it partially worked, and it made a loud noise and the lights wouldn't work. Tivo told me it was defective, so I got a refund for the service (you have 30 days, mine didn't last four hours), and returned the Tivo.

Mine was broken right out of the box. I am sure it was just a fluke, but I asked for a refund as I really didn't want to bother with this anymore, kind of soured me on the Tivo experience.

Answer 2

Hi C0CH1N0,

We prefer TiVo because of simplicity of use. The schedule is always correct because it is updated every day. I can program TiVo to record from out of town over the Internet. TiVo learns what you like and recommends shows that you might like. Often times we never would have known they were on. You can program an entire season of a given series with a single click and TiVo never forgets. You can tell TiVo you like someone or something and it will locate shows for you. For example if you tell it you like John Wayne it will watch for and record anything he is on.

With my series 2 and series 3 TiVo’s I can transfer recordings to my computer, edit them if desired then record them to a DVD.

You can also allow TiVo to share pictures and music from your computer. It will play the music and slide shows on your TV.

To learn all about TiVo check their web site here - https://www3.tivo.com

Check the TiVo user forum here - http://www.tivocommunity.com

The TiVo Community Store often has good bargains for TiVo’s or accessories. Check them for current pricing along with your local Best Buy - http://store.tivocommunity.com/merchant....

You need either a phone line or internet connection for TiVo to download software updates and program information.

I could go on and on about TiVo. There is one downside and that is the monthly (you can pay yearly if you want) fee.

As an alternate and to avoid a monthly fee you might get a standard DVR. A standard DVR records onto a hard drive by time & channel  much like an old VHS recorder. For a DVR my choice is the Philips from Walmart. It has a 160 GB hard drive and is very easy to set up & use. At $288 it is a pretty good buy. You can also copy your shows to DVD on it.

Go here to check out the Philips DVR - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

I hope this helps you make the best decision.

Norm

Answer 3

I had the Dish DVR and now I have cable becuase I can not have Dish here. I had the cable company's DVR but now I have TiVo. I love it! It has so many features that the other DVR's did not have. I was amazed at what I could do with it. It is best if you have it networked into your home computer system. You can get a wireless USB antenna for the TiVo and it goes right through your router. No need for phone lines. You can rent any movie Amazon.com/unbox has and they are cheaper. They run about $1.99 on up. Then you have the movie on your TiVo for 24 hours. The last movie I bought was only $9.99 and it is a download only. It is in my Amazon.com/unbox account and I can get in and watch it forever any time I want. I can keep it on the Tivo, and my computer.

You can take a TV show off the TiVo and download it to your computer and watch it on your computer. I have a laptop and watch American Chopper while I am waiting at the doctors office. Then I can burn it to a DVD-R if I want to keep the show. I spend about $200 a year for the TiVo and the Amazon account is another thing, but it is done all through the remote. I can buy a DVD movie, rent one, buy or rent a movie download all from the remote. With the house networked with my computer, TV, and TiVo I enjoy watching TV like I never even knew you could. I no longer watch commercials because I record all shows that I want and only watch when I have time. I go to school full time and I now "manage" all my time.

I only have a series 2, I do not see the need for a series 3 yet. Maybe in another 5-10 years there will be enough HD channels for it. Right now just getting digital is fine. There is not ehough HD channels for the extra cost.

TiVo, a TV, and a computer is the way to go for TV now. I will never go back in time. Good Luck and look into it! It is worth it!

Answer 4

its helpful if you forget lots of things or if your often not home, but it breaks alot