TiVo TCD649080 Series2 80-Hour Dual-Tuner Digital Video Recorder | List Price: $249.99
Discount Price: Too low to display
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Brand: TiVo
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Dual-tuner TiVo box can record programming from two different channels at once; optimized for cable users
- Digitally record up to 80 hours of programming
- USB and Ethernet ports offer ability to stream digital music and photos from a computer to TiVo and transfer programming to PCs
- TiVo service includes Season Pass, WishList, program guide, digital music, digital photos, and online scheduling
- Everything required for installation is supplied; subscription to TiVo service is additional requirement
Horrible video quality [Posted on 2008-04-11]
We were really excited to finally switch from DVR to Tivo, but when our tivo came and we plugged it in, the video quality was awful. Way way worse than the TV ever was. We tried everything, got new cables, called tivo, did the software update. Nothing made it any better. It was so obviously worse than our cable ever looked, we had to return it :( We decided it wasn't worth the effort to try to get a new one. So back to DVR!
TiVo vs. Your cable provider's DVR [Posted on 2008-05-09]
I've used multiple DVRs provided by cable providers before, and now I've used TiVo. I've gotta say, TiVo wins, hands down. You pay more for the service, and you have to buy the box (cable companies "loan" you the box), but they make sure it's worth it. They have to, to continue to compete.
One big, BIG plus: Internet content. If you connect to the TiVo service over a broadband internet connection, you can download videos from the internet and watch them directly on your TiVo. Even better, you can transfer your recorded TV programs to your PC using TiVo Desktop.
The show rating system and viewing pattern recognition work really well. I haven't even watched anything of the sort yet, but it recorded an episode of Mysterious Journeys set in a haunted prison. That's just the sort of thing I love (it turned out to be a lame program, but I don't blame TiVo for that). It also recorded the Daily Show, making me realize that I still needed to set up a Season Pass for that show.
Lots of options on how to record shows and how long to keep them, plus great extras like live weather and games make this a worthy purchase.
For added value, you can purchase your service package up to a year in advance, and get a better rate. Plus, you pay once and don't worry about a monthly bill all year.
(IF YOU CAN, BUY REFURBISHED. I DID, FROM AMAZON, SAVING A L-O-T OF MONEY, GOT FREE SHIPPING, AND I FOUND OUT FROM A TIVO TECHNICIAN ON THE PHONE THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY A BRAND NEW UNIT!)
I love my TiVo [Posted on 2008-06-15]
This is the second TiVo DVR I've owned. I really like the dual tuner feature. I prefer using the TiVo DVR to the DVRs my local cable company rents. One of my favorite features is that when you fast forward or rewind, this DVR compensates for that split second it takes from the time you recognize the end of a commercial and the time you release the fast forward feature. TiVo builds in a slight "jump back" feature, which the Comcast's DVRs don't have. I also like the TiVo Desktop software which I've installed onto my home computer. With my home network, I can transfer shows from the DVR to my computer's hard drive.
Great Product, but not perfect... [Posted on 2008-06-17]
I finally switched from ancient antenna to basic cable, so I decided to get a Tivo. I don't watch much television, but there are a few shows I like and figured this would work out perfectly for me and my family. Initial setup was pretty simple and I did not run into any problems until I hooked up the Tivo to my phone line. It would not connect to the server to finish the initialization process. Luckily I was able to move my router to accomodate a network connection which worked fine, however, it did take awhile. Once I got it up and running, it was great being able to schedule all my recordings and use the season pass feature. I also setup my computers with the Tivo desktop to be able to put programs on to my hard-drive for future viewing. I was pretty disappointed to find out I have to spend an additional $25 to upgrade to Tivo desktop plus to be able to convert the videos into .mp4 format. I have not yet upgraded to Tivo Desktop Plus, but probably will, just so I can convert and edit the TV shows that I want. My other complaint is I feel that with all the technology there is, the User Interface is just too slow. Mainly, when I am trying to modify settings on a season pass or startup. Hopefully, on the newer models they will use a little more processing power and get up to date with current pc's. Although, cable and satellite dvr's aren't necessarily any better in these areas. Lastly, it is ridiculous that this model only has an 80gb hard-drive, and to go larger there is a huge jump in price. The base model should start off at a minimum of 120gb, especially with the drop in prices on hard-drives. Other than that, Tivo is everything it claims to be and once you have it you will never want to go back to regular tv again. I love the fact that I don't have to worry about missing a show, and I can pause and rewind live tv. And the best part is fast-forwarding through commercials.
Tivo Customer Service is dreadful! [Posted on 2008-07-18]
When Tivo is good, it is very, very good - but when it isn't good, there's nothing you can do about it! Tivo often fails to record my shows; the channel changing doesn't work well (even with the unsightly "tenting" of the sensors that Tivo recommends). You settle down to watch that episode of "Lost" you were dying to see only to find that you have a full hour of Home Shopping Network recorded instead! I am now ditching Tivo for my cable company DVR. At least when it goes on the fritz, I'll know who to call and get someone to actually answer the phone, and it's half the monthly fee of Tivo. (Never thought I would tout my local cable company as a model of customer service or thrifty value!)
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