Tivo -- Is it worth it?

[Razorguns]

Can anyone give me a quick primer on TiVO?

Is it worth it? Do you have ot pay a monthly fee? Will it work with my new digital cable? It is a bitch to setup with a vcr, dvd, xbox, etc? Easy to program and record shows?

 

[WODIN]

TIVO only works with the DISH network I think. Yes there are monthly fees.

Check with your cable company and see if they are offering DVRs. We got one with ours a few months ago. Kick ass!

Super easy to program and record.

 

[bran987]

TIVO works with any kind of TV you have (satellite, cable, basic or extended, etc.). I got it for my birthday

there is a monthly fee $12.95. It is AWESOME. It is easy to setup with dvd/vcr, although with xbox I have to unplug the audio/video cable from the tv to the xbox and back again but I think that's just because I don't know how to set it up right.

Recording shows is lol, 1 button and it will record the whole season for you (and you can pick whether you want it to record reruns or just new episodes)

Warning, since I've gotten TIVO 2 months ago, it drives me absolutely insane to watch TV at someone's house who doesn't have it. I save hours each week now when I would have been watching commercials. Or pausing and rewinding the live TV to see a part I missed or my own version of instant replay during a football game.

3 green thumbs up!!!

 

[Paulos]

Yes please buy it, I have 200 shares.

Get Sirius too while you're at it.

 

[WODIN]

LMAO @ paulos.

Go xm dude.

 

[Paulos]

Fuck XM bro, sirius has been climbing like Crazy. I already made some good change.

 

[bran987]

Yes please buy it, I have 200 shares.

Get Sirius too while you're at it.

if TIVO loses their relationship with Direct TV, uh oh for the poor little stock I believe 75% new subscribers this quarter were from Direct TV

That is the only reason I haven't bought the stock.

 

[the nature boy]

TIVO is one of those things that come around that makes you think "Why didn't I get this sooner?" I'm not sure about TIVO series II, but series I units you can easily modify to increase capacity and rig it so it can use a wireless adapter to get updates, instead of hooking a phone line up to it (which is useful if you're like me and don't have home phone service).

 

[jenscats5]

TIVO only works with the DISH network I think. Yes there are monthly fees.

Check with your cable company and see if they are offering DVRs. We got one with ours a few months ago. Kick ass!

Super easy to program and record.

Yep, check with your cable company cuz if you already have digital cable all you need to do is swap the digital cable box for a digital cable box with DVR. Your digi cable box may already have DVR capability.....

With the cable co's DVR, the cable box & the DVR are all-in-one, so no extra equipment sitting on top of the TV, there's no extra contract & the monthly fee isn't really much more than the digi cable box is already...... It's a great feature.....I love it!!

 

[Lestat]

Check with your cable comapny first to see if they offer DVR. (Digital Video Recorder).

I got this through Time Warner, it works the same as TiVo but is cheaper and you don't purchase any hardware.

Is it worth it? Hell yes. I never watch commercials anymore. If you miss something important during a show, you can rewind any time. You don't have to be at home to catch a special show (like the upcoming 20/20 special on 'roids) you can just set it to tape and watch at your leisure.

I did find that I actually watch MORE TV now that I have the DVR, however I justify it by saying I save so much time by fast forwarding through commercials.

 

[RADAR]

Tivo not only records the program you wish to see but searches & records other programs of the same nature, do not get5 the lifetime subscription$199 for if the unit gets hit by lightning and is deemed unrepairable you cannot transfer that subscription to the new one but you will need to purchase another.



RADAR

 

[Testosterone boy]

Tivo not only records the program you wish to see but searches & records other programs of the same nature, do not get5 the lifetime subscription$199 for if the unit gets hit by lightning and is deemed unrepairable you cannot transfer that subscription to the new one but you will need to purchase another.



RADAR

Doesn't a high quality surge protector prevent most lightning strike fry outs?

 

[jenscats5]

Check with your cable comapny first to see if they offer DVR. (Digital Video Recorder).

I got this through Time Warner, it works the same as TiVo but is cheaper and you don't purchase any hardware.

Is it worth it? Hell yes. I never watch commercials anymore. If you miss something important during a show, you can rewind any time. You don't have to be at home to catch a special show (like the upcoming 20/20 special on 'roids) you can just set it to tape and watch at your leisure.

I did find that I actually watch MORE TV now that I have the DVR, however I justify it by saying I save so much time by fast forwarding through commercials.

Yeah, I seem to be watching more TV myself...... plus I get to watch all the shows I like & my hubby doesn't have to suffer thru them.......

Plus with the DVR, set it to the channel you want to watch & go about your business...... after about 15-20 mins, rewind to the beginning of the show & you'll get to watch the show with no commercials & still be done watching it at the top of the hour usually.....

 

[Dunk]

Warning, since I've gotten TIVO 2 months ago, it drives me absolutely insane to watch TV at someone's house who doesn't have it.

^^just about to say that. Ive had it for about 2 years now. I dont want TV. I watch TIVO.

 

[eat big]

get a dvr, only if you get dig cable i think

 

[RADAR]

Doesn't a high quality surge protector prevent most lightning strike fry outs?

If its a direct hit, nothing man made will stop one million plus voltage from destorying electronics!


RADAR

 

[hardrock]

Sounds like I need this. THen I could watch all those sex shows on HBO without my GF gettin pissy.

 

[Razorguns]

Thanks lestat. That's exactly what i'm gonna do.

Charter has a DVR package for an extr $10 a month. no $200 equipment purchase like Tivo. And no seperate unit. Just swap the cable unit and you're good to go.

I do'nt watch much tv -- but there are certain programs i would like to. Now i can record them and wach whenever i want. Total kick-ass.

 

[Lestat]

Thanks lestat. That's exactly what i'm gonna do.

Charter has a DVR package for an extr $10 a month. no $200 equipment purchase like Tivo. And no seperate unit. Just swap the cable unit and you're good to go.

I do'nt watch much tv -- but there are certain programs i would like to. Now i can record them and wach whenever i want. Total kick-ass.

Good choice, you'll enjoy it.

 

[jenscats5]

Thanks lestat. That's exactly what i'm gonna do.

Charter has a DVR package for an extr $10 a month. no $200 equipment purchase like Tivo. And no seperate unit. Just swap the cable unit and you're good to go.

I do'nt watch much tv -- but there are certain programs i would like to. Now i can record them and wach whenever i want. Total kick-ass.

Good deal....it does kick-ass...you'll love it...

BTW is the new box made by Motorola or Scientific Atlanta? Do you know yet?

 

[Dunk]

they also have a feature called Tivo Central Online. You can tell your Tivo to record programs via the web in the event that your not home.

 

[Razorguns]

OMG!!! DVR fucking RAWKS!!

I just got it. Installation was a snap. Looks very space age and pretty in the entertainment center (for us ghetto elites here). Really cool:

* Picked a show in the guide, and single click recorded it.
* Selected to record ALL episodes of that show.
* Can pick how mnay episodes of it to keep (ie: last 4)
* Can watch Picture in Picture
* Records your CURRENT show you're watching automatically -- so you can instantly playback what you saw or an instant reply while you're watching

OMG. So many other cool things. I can now make the most out of my $65/month digital by picking wahtever tickles my fancy and watching whenever i want. Too bad i can't instantly FFwd past commercials. But i guess they gotta make money somehow those tv stations.

 

[Carl Carlson]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but apparently Tivo is going to start using pop-up ads...?

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=284227&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

 

[B0ARDIN087]

I dont have tivo as I watch about a half hour of tv a week. unless im at my girls. she has tivo and watches everything. If you watch tv it definately seems cool and worth it, for me a blockbuster movie pass and a dvd burner is much better

 

[bran987]

I dont have tivo as I watch about a half hour of tv a week. unless im at my girls. she has tivo and watches everything. If you watch tv it definately seems cool and worth it, for me a blockbuster movie pass and a dvd burner is much better

I think the real reason is that watching TV makes you feel insecure.

 

[velvett]

OMG!!! DVR fucking RAWKS!!

I just got it. Installation was a snap. Looks very space age and pretty in the entertainment center (for us ghetto elites here). Really cool:

* Picked a show in the guide, and single click recorded it.
* Selected to record ALL episodes of that show.
* Can pick how mnay episodes of it to keep (ie: last 4)
* Can watch Picture in Picture
* Records your CURRENT show you're watching automatically -- so you can instantly playback what you saw or an instant reply while you're watching

OMG. So many other cool things. I can now make the most out of my $65/month digital by picking wahtever tickles my fancy and watching whenever i want. Too bad i can't instantly FFwd past commercials. But i guess they gotta make money somehow those tv stations.

did you go TIVO or some other route?
What box did you buy?

 

[RADAR]

Tivo has too many features i have also decided to purchase one, one set programming and your done , unlike a DVR that has to be programmed to record TIVo caches & records the show even if last minute changes are made like a special airs and the show starts an hr earlier. I'm sure to have it.


RADAR

 

[B0ARDIN087]

I think the real reason is that watching TV makes you feel insecure.

you hit the nail on the head! actually things have been great since then im much better now

 

[jenscats5]

OMG!!! DVR fucking RAWKS!!

I just got it. Installation was a snap. Looks very space age and pretty in the entertainment center (for us ghetto elites here). Really cool:

* Picked a show in the guide, and single click recorded it.
* Selected to record ALL episodes of that show.
* Can pick how mnay episodes of it to keep (ie: last 4)
* Can watch Picture in Picture
* Records your CURRENT show you're watching automatically -- so you can instantly playback what you saw or an instant reply while you're watching

OMG. So many other cool things. I can now make the most out of my $65/month digital by picking wahtever tickles my fancy and watching whenever i want. Too bad i can't instantly FFwd past commercials. But i guess they gotta make money somehow those tv stations.

Actually you can........... If this is with your digital cable box....tune to the channel your show is on at 6:59 (if the show begins at 7:00) & let it play...... do something else, say make dinner...... at 7:20, rewind back to the beginning & watch it -- then FF thru the commercials & you should not "catch up" to the live show while still finishing the show at 8:00....

 

[velvett]

How many hour boxes are you guys buying from TIVO?

40, 80, or more?

 

[jenscats5]

How many hour boxes are you guys buying from TIVO?

40, 80, or more?

You actually have to buy hours from Tivo?? That's weird......

 

[Dunk]

no u dont buy hours. its how many hours your unit can hold. Kinda like how much disk space your Tivo can record before maxing out. they make different sized ones.

i got mine like 2 years ago. i have a 40.