I finally broke down and as an early birthday present to myself (halvsies with Roger), we welcomed a TiVo to our household. The jury is still out, but first impressions are very favorable. I think the hype is a little overplayed, but it does have cool features like one click Season Pass which will record all the Amazing Race and Survivor episodes on TV. I also like the Wish List feature which allows me to search for programs with George Kennedy or any other actor, One glaring omission? Charo is not included in the list.
Some minuses to note: Picture quality isn't the best in the world - even at Best Quality. I tested the lower qualities on an episode of The Price is Right, and the pixellation was like watching those old MPEG-1 videos a few years back. Another problem? Like Wendy mentioned with her TiVo, it takes over the TV. As a result, no more picture-in-picture (a feature I have grown to love). However, there is a P-I-P button on the TiVo remote for future use, so maybe they have something in mind. Besides, the Guide replaces channel surfing anyhow. Since I do not have Digital Cable, I really enjoy the guide and compared to the guide on my Mom's Digital Cable, I prefer the TiVo's. Another minus is the lack of ability to use TiVo functions while it is recording. Thankfully, you can put the unit in Standby mode and it still works its magic and allows you to watch what you want. In fact, with a little experimenting, I think I might be able to use the VCR while the TiVo is in Tivoland working its magic.
I do love the ability to pause live television and having recorded programs available just two buttons away. Overall, I recommend getting a TiVo, though I am not sure if I'd get the lifetime plan - it works out to about two plus years of service, and by then I'm sure they will have a v3 of the technology rendering your box moot. Me? I opted for the month to month plan to save money up front. Hopefully, I will be able to convert at a later date.
Currently Season-Passed on my TiVo:
Enterprise
Survivor: Thailand
The Amazing Race 3
Charmed (for Roger)
also being recorded:
Insomniac with Dave Attell
Taxicab Confessions
What's on your TiVo?
Which box did you get? Did you get the Series2 setup? I've got the Sony DirectTV unit (Series1) and I absolutely love it. There is a way to install a 2nd hard disk and increase storage capacity, which I'm dying to do, but it requires you to delete all of your programs first. So that might take some time.
Did you have a chance to look at the new ReplayTV boxes first? They are way better than Tivo. I think they have the $700 unit at GoodGuys for like $400 now. Take a look at www.replaytv.com. Internet access, program sharing... automatically cuts commercials... the whole shabang.
Joe
I got the Series 2 but heck if I know what the I get. TiVo has a really crummy web site, and I haven't had a chance to comb the web for more info.
... but it does have cool features like one click Season Pass which will record all the Amazing Race and Survivor episodes on TV.
Be sure to add 5 minutes of recording after survivor. They are notorius for rolling the credits after the hour mark. the best part are the farewells right?
I also like the Wish List feature which allows me to search for programs with George Kennedy or any other actor, One glaring omission? Charo is not included in the list.
You can have Charo as a keyword. It will work.
I opted for the month to month plan to save money up front. Hopefully, I will be able to convert at a later date.
You will, but I recommend getting the lifetime. It will follow the tive and you can give it to your mom when you are done.
Currently Season-Passed on my TiVo:
What's on your TiVo?
CSI Vegas flavor
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Alias
Enterprise
CSI Miami Flavor
Twilight Zone
and more.
Cheers,
-mice
Currently season passed:
Buffy
Alias
ER
Friends
Sessions at West 54th
Firefly
24
Iron Chef - must have
West Wing
Joe
BTW - Speaking of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I've got a great SVCD of last season's masterpiece, "Once More with Feeling". If anyone is interested please let me know at joe@thecoopers.tv and I'll arrange to get it to you.
Joe
I wanted to TiVo West Wing, but it competes directly with Amazing Race..
I'll also try Charo as a keyword. I hope it will pick up the Love Boat episodes with her. I am toying with the idea of Season Passing Love Boat and just checking the titles as they come and go to see if I can catch the Charo eps.
I think if TiVo wanted to expand faster, they could offer a reduced price/free service that just has ad banners in the menus or guides. I'm sure that would have worked in 1999 when ads were all the rage :)
Split your cable before it hits your converter box. Send one into the input of your VCR so that you can record one program on the VCR and one on the Tivo.
I like my satellite version with 2 tuners. I can record 2 shows on the tivo while watching a 3rd from the Now Playing list.
Joe
heh-heh. Insomniac's cool.