 "Double Edged Sword" | 2009-11-03 |
| - Reviewed By kamastro |
The TiVo HD is pretty good, overall. It has both good and bad points.
I bought the TiVo HD about 9 months ago, and have been using it since. I replaced the internal hard drive right away with a 1 TB, since the stock drive (160GB) is nowhere near sufficient for our needs. (I voided my warranty doing this, but decided it was worth it. It's reasonably easy, and I have no regrets.) Having a high storage capacity makes up for a lot of the other shortcomings.
I paid for a lifetime service contract (not cheap), so make sure you factor that into your decision to buy. It's probably the most economical way to go unless you plan on selling the TiVo at some point (even then, the lifetime contract has value if you sell the box, so it may be worth it anyway).
Here are the 3 biggest things that I would have wanted to know before purchasing (I knew much of this, but it made the decision difficult):
1) The user interface, while fine, could use some updates. Among some other things, it needs an HD guide, a 'small video display' while browsing stored programs or the guide (so you can watch while doing it), a guide that tells you whether or not something will record (i.e. - color coded), and a recording conflict notification/resolution option as they are detected. Other features are welcome, but those are the most glaring to me.
2) You're stuck with cable TV or over-the-air with these. You need a cable card to get any (encrypted) digital content - which is what most cable is today beyond the first 70 channels or so. So, satellite and new services (like U-Verse) are no-go's. This stinks, because you want to get the TiVo to get AWAY from the cable company's crappy DVR product, not lock you into their services.
3) Cable companies are moving to 'Switched Digital Video' services that are incompatible with existing cable cards (if you don't know what SDV is - it doesn't matter - just think of it as a technology that some TV channels use). They'll give you a 'Tuning Adapter' that will provide the TiVo with SDV capabilities, but frankly, it's a piece of junk that only works half the time. You can't rely on it working, so you end up avoiding the SDV channels. (They're apparently working on it, but it's still a huge irritant.)
That said, having a very high storage capacity is a huge benefit (you can do an internal drive or add an external one), and the TiVo has other cool services like Netflix streaming, transfer-programs-to-PC, You Tube access, and great search capabilities.
If money is no object or you just can't wait, go for it. If money is tight, as frustrating as this is, consider waiting for a next-generation TiVo (if they ever come out with one) that has SDV support built in (via tru2way - next gen cable card). You may be waiting a long time, though, and it may be expensive when/if it comes out.
As a side note, there is some satisfaction to 'sticking it to the man' and getting away from the cable company's DVR offering (we found the cable company's DVR far less than satisfying for our money).
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 "Beware of Subscription Fees" | 2009-10-31 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1FF259C6J275L |
| The TiVo worked fine for about a week after the service provider installed the cards for cable. Then it stopped working and I got a message to call TiVo Service who informed me it would now cost $12.50 a month for continued operation which is on top of the rental for the card. Big surprise as there was never any mention of this subscription fee. You would think after purchasing the box that would be it, but no, there are these hidden costs which I consider a ripoff. If I had known this I never would purchased it. |
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 "TiVoHD is still the best DVR on the planet." | 2009-10-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2QY2GWAY0785C |
| Well, at this point, I've tried many setups to digitally record TV, from TiVo Series 1, to various iterations of ReplayTV, the ever-evolving Windows Media Center (WMC) platform, and a slew of completely wretched cable company DVRs. But I always seem to come back to TiVo. And, while monthly fees are the ever-present albatross of the TiVo experience, it is still the best product out there (at least until the Ceton cablecard tuners make WMC a viable option for recording protected content and accessing across multiple TVS). With a simple, intuitive interface, the best software for resolving recording conflicts, decent expandability options and good build quality, not to mention the highest Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) on the planet, TiVo remains king. My TiVos have been good to me, and I love them for it. While I still tinker with other solutions and yearn for additional features (perhaps a USB port with DivX and XVid support would be a nice addition) for my TiVo, it is still the primary source of content for my HDTVs. I love the unlimited free Netflix VOD-streaming (with Netflix subscription), and Music Choice video downloads, and appreciate the large libraries of BlockBuster and Amazon VOD pay-per-view offerings that are available. And, while I'd love to play around with a Moxi, I'm not willing to give up my TiVos or shell out $800 for that privilege at this time. |
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| "Third, and last, Tivo" | 2009-10-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1AO12F3E6HC9F |
I'll start by telling you that I've been through two other Tivo units (series 1 and series 2). Those units were, for the time, exceptional devices. The Tivo HD is not. I am very disappointed to say that unless it can regain its position as a leading edge company, none of us will be buying Tivo in a few more years.
The primary reason for upgrading from a single-tuner series 2 to the HD was for the dual tuner. Additionally, I was very excited about the "watch it now" option for Netflix on Tivo. If you're after the HD experience, just make sure you're using HDMI instead of component video (just an FYI). If you're just using coaxial, then give me a call because I really enjoyed the 1990's, too.
My first frustration was that when the Tivo arrived, I found that I should have ordered a Tivo-branded USB network adapter. I thought the Netgear adapter I used for the previous Tivo unit would work. I admit that I should have known this, but when you're paying a high price for the unit, you may just assume that they won't try to sneak another $50 or so out of your pocket.
The next frustration came when I began trying to use the Netflix function. I will tell you that my wireless network at home is lightning fast, and that 75% of the time I have no trouble; however, the service fails to connect about 25% of the time. It's frustrating to say the least. To say the most, it's enough to wish I could still get a refund.
Is it a Netflix issue? Is it a Tivo issue? I don't care, and don't have the answer other than to say I don't have issues trying to watch Netflix on a laptop. Oh, and now I can watch it from my Xbox, PS3, and Wii.
When it comes to more basic functions--say, watching television or setting up a season pass--Tivo performs just as poorly. There are countless hang-ups reqruiring resets and the silly unit takes a very unaccpetable amount of time updating your priorities or adding a season pass. This is the best advice I can give on this subject: Don't try to establish more than a dozen season passes, else you'll spend a lot of time waiting on Tivo to update.
This is the most upsetting part. Tivo misses the low-hanging fruit. It is, first and foremost, a DVR. It's just a pain in the rear to make it do what you want. Yes, it was simple before and still functions the same way, but then again, doesn't a telephone still dial the same way it did ten years ago? We've sure come a long way with those devices.
It's as if they left series 2 hardware in the unit and expected it to handle more calculations with larger file sizes. You should expect better performance. For less than the cost of the monthly Tivo service, you can rent a DVR from your cable company (I know, I know, it stings to pay them another cent, they're awful people, I get it). It may not have as many bells and whistles, but for the price of a high-end Tivo unit you could pair it with a video game console that will provide you all of the missing goodies.
Amazon video on demand? Everyone has video on demand now. Connects to your personal media collection? True, but so do a lot of devices. On Tivo, the navigation system is terrible. It's another instance of them not keeping up with other devices.
I would not buy this unit again. There are too many other options when it comes to DVR, streaming video, etc. to settle for a product just because it came from a company that really set the standard. Personally, I'd love for Tivo to come back and knock the next series out of the park; unfortunately, I can't trust them to do so.
Look at other choices before buying.
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| "Comcast customers beware" | 2009-10-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A22VMXY1HC6HRF |
| I bought this TiVo for my fiance for her birthday. We had a regular TiVo before, but we switched to HD cable and starting using the provided DVR. When we went to get this TiVo hooked up, our cable company (Comcast) informed us that they have not gotten their cable cards to be able to work in the HD TiVo. I am sure this is another quality TiVo product, but buyers should find out beforehand if their cable company is compatible with the TiVo HD DVR. |
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