TiVo TCD540080 Series 2 80-Hour Digital Video Recorder

I have 5 TIVOS and I can't remember when I used my vcr last, I bet I couldn,t find my remote for the vcr if i had to.

Like everyone else says, "How did we ever live wihtout this?". Very easy to use after a little practice, much easier than most VCR's. It's wonderful to set up some "Season Passes" and come home at night to find that Tivo has programs recorded waiting for you! My only complaint, and the Tivo Customer Service says they haven't heard this much, is that when the Tivo calls in on my phone line to update, it knocks me off the Internet. Yes, I have the filter on the phone line. I have DSL Internet and this is not supposed to happen. I've had to unplug the Tivo when I'm on the Internet and I know that it's going to call in to update. Other than that, no problems. With the rebate, it was literally free!

The concept is very good and makes TV watching a better experience. However, the installation is not nearly as simple as the box and the description will lead you to believe. And if you need to contact TIVO's technical support, be prepared for a very long hold time...very long. And the support personnel are neither knowledgeable nor courteous.

TiVo, when new is a great toy. But after the first year I questioned it's worth before renewing the subscription. What did it do? It copied programs, provided a program schedule, provided speed control Slowmo etc. and would record shows following what you choose. If you have cable or satellite you already have a program guild and after a few months of use I turned off the selective recording, ask it to record football and any program with foot and ball gets recorded and in less than a week your 80gig is clogged. So I let the service lapse figuring that I could record the programs manually, if there was ever any over time it always cut it off. Well no, if you do not subscribe that function is turned off and your TiVo unit becomes a boat anchor. No if I decide to get into the DVR market again I will use the Satellite of Cable DVR, same functionality for the same about fee with out having to pay hundreds for a boat anchor.

Tivo is the most amazing invention since television. With very little spare time, it's wonderful to be able to sit down and watch all my favorite shows without having to plan and plot on a VCR. It makes all the best entertainment TV has to offer even better by making it available at your leisure. I guarantee you won't regret buying this. Other than you may find yourself watching a little too much of your favorite programming!