 "AWESOME" | 2008-02-18 |
| - Reviewed By julian_wilson@hotmail.com |
| The best invention since the computer and bread. I can't live without it. a MUST have for everyone. HOwever, TIVO charges to much for their service and they should ALWAYS offer a lifetime package instead of every now and then. HD needs to be cheaper so I will wait for that. My comcast box takes care of my HD programs. |
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| "Just A VCR? Think Again!" | 2007-08-17 |
| - Reviewed By Brandon Hoffman from Suffern, NY |
Before experiencing TIVO myself I always had the outlook that TIVO was just a glorified VCR. While it might have the features of a VCR its so much more. TIVO makes watching television an efficient activity rather then just a waste of time. Firstly you can watch the television shows you want to watch on YOUR schedule. Secondly you can watch those shows faster without watching commercials. A typical 1/2 hour show turns into 20 minutes without the commercials. Thirdly, TIVO is smart. If you run out of shows you regularly watch, TIVO automatically has a 'TIVO SUGGESTIONS' feature which records shows it thinks you will like. It sounds a little weird but often times TIVO records some interesting and relevant programs based on your TV habits. I have personally become a fan of several shows due to TIVO suggestions. One additional feature that TIVO offers that I like is their ability to schedule recordings online. Lets say you are at work and your co-workers are discussing a show that sounds interesting. Simply go back to your desk and go to the TIVO website and you have the ability to record a show straight from their website to your TIVO box.
The bottom line here is that TIVO is well worth the small monthly fee. Their service is flawless and the user interface is impeccable. Its too bad they don't give free trials because if they did, everyone would be hooked! |
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 "Very disappointing" | 2007-08-01 |
| - Reviewed By makedah |
I had my previous Tivo box for 5 years and I was very happy with it. This particular machine promises that its dual tuner technology will allow you to capture two channels at once. An exciting promise, but it doesn't deliver. Getting a blank screen on one of the channels is the most common problem Tivo owners have - check any Tivo bulletin board. The worst part is that the two channels will be working fine and then you discover that it hasn't recorded programs because of the dual tuner.
In addition, I've had far more trouble connecting to the Tivo service through this box than I ever had with the previous box.
I've disconnected my cable splitter. I'm just going to use it as a single tuner box. I hope the connection problems don't continue.
I miss my old Tivo.
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| "TiVo is great" | 2007-07-06 |
| - Reviewed By An Amazon User |
This is my first TiVo or DVR of any kind. I really researched before I decided on this one, and I must say I can't complain. Tivo is great and this one has lots of space to hold lots of movies/shows, and it is SUPER easy to use. Here's a recap of what I think so far:
1. Setup - yes, it is easy. But not as easy as plug and play. There are lots of cords and steps. I am not a tech geek, but I do know how to follow directions, and I honestly ran into no problems setting up the first time. Comes with easy diagram to follow and everything you need. The only problem I had was adding my DVD player into the setup. I had the cable guy here for another reason and he offered to set it up for me. Well, an hour later and after splicing cords and adding splitters and switches, he had me "set up," but when I went to record a show, the TiVo wouldn't work. So I took the whole thing back apart (yes, every cord), and followed the easy diagram from TiVo and had it back up and running, WITHOUT his splitter and switch, in a few minutes (since I had done it before, it was much easier the second time around!). I even got my DVD player hooked up to the whole thing BY MYSELF... moral of the story: READ DIRECTIONS! If I had just looked it up in the TiVo manual in the first place, I wouldn't have had this problem. I have my TiVo hooked up to the TV via coaxial cable, so the connection between your Tivo and DVD player needs to be via coaxial cable .. that was my mistake. Anyway, don't expect it to take 10 minutes if you are not a big techie... it will take a good half hour or so to get it all set up and running.
2. TiVo vs. Cable Company's DVR - I had heard that going through the cable company is cheaper and just as good. So I asked around. WHY Tivo? Well, first of all, the software is better. It's just easier to navigate the Tivo. Also, Tivo doesn't fail when it needs updates like their DVR. Last, your cable company doesn't have Amazon Unbox. That is the coolest thing ever. You can rent OR buy movies via Amazon (super easy checkout... one click) and they download to your Tivo and you can watch them. Amazing invention. You must have a wireless connection to do this, which is ABSOLUTELY worth every penny. Someone got it right when they invented the Tivo wireless adapter ... takes seconds to setup and works beautifully! You can also manage your recordings on your computer this way ... a VERY cool feature.
3. Recording shows - Setting up recording is easy... you can either set up a show to record in the future, or while you're watching hit the record button and it will do it right then and there. The Tivo also automatically records "suggestions" for you based on other shows you have recorded, which is really kinda cool. If you don't like it, you just hit delete and it's gone, no harm done. You can search for movies or shows based on a Wish List that you create. All the setup is easy, step-by-step, on-screen ... my 5 year old has even figured it out. There are parental controls available, too. Just make sure when you set up a recording that your cable box is ON!!
4. Remote control - I have had no problems with this remote. It's easy to use, fits in your hand easily, and has very logical positioning of buttons. I have to use the IR (infrared) setup for the remote to get signal to my cable box... it doesn't look great for sure, and it partially blocks the clock... but it works just fine. There is a slight delay, but nothing annoying. I know I can call the cable company and ask for a box with the serial port, but I don't want to see a cable guy for a while after the mess they left me with, so I will live with this setup for now!
OVERALL - Tivo is great. I would strongly recommend that you get the wireless adapter with this, though ... it takes the Tivo from a 4 star product to a 5 star product. The price is high for Tivo and activation, but so far we use it A LOT and it has been worth it. |
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 "Not the most flexible item" | 2007-05-23 |
| - Reviewed By aelwulf |
I purchased this box to replace the DVR I had to return when I cancelled my dish service. I don't watch TV enough to warrant $40-60 a month. The first point is one I easily blame myself for, not knowing you have to subscribe to their service as well. But the amount for that I can handle to catch shows I want while at work, etc.
There were two downsides to this that caused me to return it. First is, although you can hook it up to a broadband network the initial setup had to be done over a landline. I'm one of the increasing number of people who doesn't have one, I use my cell for any phone needs. The other problem, and the nail in the coffin, is that it doesn't accept an antenna setup. I bought this because I cancelled my dish service, I'm not going to go pay for that or cable again just for this.
Aside from that the setup wasn't too bad (took it over to a friend's house to use her phone line) and I'm sure it would be great if I could've used it. Overall for most people these days it'd probably be fine, why I didn't give it fewer stars. But if you don't have an active phone line in your house &/or use an antenna sort of setup keep on looking.
As for some claiming that antennas will be useless in a couple of years I know of what they're referring to. It's possible but knowing industry and government in general I don't see it holding to that exact date, especially since many TVs still be sold new are still analog only. |
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| "Better than Before" | 2007-05-19 |
| - Reviewed By sabrina3910 |
| Having purchased TiVo when it first became available, I had become addicted to its many conveniences in TV viewing. I'm even happier with the new Series2! The wireless connection is far superior to the dial-up and the computer interface made transferring the schedule on the old unit to the new one very easy. |
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