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Summary: I love my Tivo
Review: I've used my TIVO for a year and love watching TV on it. Whenever I've encountered a glitch, I've called Customer Service and they are always so patient and walk me through the steps to clear up the problem. Haven't had any for a long time, now. I would really miss it if I didn't have it. It even remembers to record my favorite sports--tennis and figure skating--whenever I forget or miss a show. I might get another one for the other end of the house. Once you connect it correctly, it's wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: It puts the VCR to shame
Review: People think TIVO is cumbersome but let me say this, Before TIVO I never used my VCR because it was a real pain. Now I don't miss a single show, Thanks TIVO
Rating:
Summary: Great product
Review: I came here to buy my second Philips Recorder and noticed the last 2 reviews. Which caused me to write this. One reviewr is dead wrong, My Philips Tivo does work with Dish Network, recognizes all chanels (acually during setup you are prompted to select which Cable/Sat provider you use and Dish Network is on the list). Another claims that changing the chanels does'nt work for hours, that will happen if your Tivo IR connector (used to send data to your Cable/SAT box) is out of range with the Cable/Sat box, just find it and place where the signal will find its way to your box (thats like claiming that my VCR is no good because its remote control does'nt work from a distance of 20 Miles). If you are always busy but watch some TV, get a Tivo, if you have kids, get a Tivo. If you waist time flipping through channels for hours, get a Tivo (you'll watch more of what you like).
Rating: 
Summary: A TV lover's miracle
Review: This is a very useful product for people who watch a lot of television. The tivo is a simple product to use once you figure it out. It can record a whole season of a series or just one show which is very useful. Now the down side to it. When they say 30 or 60 hrs they are not telling the total truth. The number of hours of recording which are stated are for terrible quality recording. For the 30 hr Phillips tivo recorder, which I have, the good quality recording is only 9 hrs which is dramatically different. And another defect that annoys you sometimes is the mistakes of changing channels that it does sometimes. For example if I want channel 12 recorded for a little time it will change to channel 1 or 2 because the frequency isn't set perfectly on the cable box. This is an annoying part of the tivo. If there was an auto-frequency adjuster then that would be perfect. But again it is the time which really matters, tivo fools the customers into thinking they will have 30 hrs of perfect recording which is not true, but the settings of quality can be changed to multiple levels which increases the time available depending on the level. I hope you find this review helpful.
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Summary: Life without TiVo is not worth living! :)
Review: I was an early adopter of TiVo and paid [price]0 for it 2 years ago. I immediately recognized its potential based soley on what I read. Let me tell you I have not regretted for one second paying that much. That one extra year I got out of it before prices fell was worth every penny. I hope someone considering buying TiVo will overlook some of the bad press and instead focus on the overwhelming positive comments. Even after two years, TiVo has never disappointed me and continues to amaze me. I've heard "skeptics" say they could do the same thing with their computer. Unlikely. The proprietary software TiVo uses cannot be copied onto a PC. And the software is everything. The software is phenomenal. Every time TiVo records a show I didn't ask it to - based soley on what it (correctly) thinks I might like - I think how magnificent this thing is. And it gets better all the time. The software developers at TiVo are CONSTANTLY improving it - sending updates over the modem. There are features now I can't live without that weren't there when I bought it! Try doing THAT with a VCR or DVD player. Unfortunately, words can simply do no justice to this miracle of a box called TiVo. Only demonstrations seem to be the ultimate convincer. I've personally "convinced" 10 others to buy TiVo through demonstrations. Those that weren't convinced never saw a live demonstration. They just couldn't get their minds around the concept I guess. But for those of you on this sight, you've already gotten over the biggest hurdle. So good luck to you and good ridance to "channel surfing" forever!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good concept - bad execution
Review: I have a 30 hour TIVO unit. It lasted 4 months before the modem fried and sent me into customer service hell. Phillips needs to use better quality components and better quality service reps.
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Summary: Love it so much I'm buying another
Review: I had the 14 hour model and gave it to my mom. Now she is hooked on Tivo. I bought this model and love it. Now I want to get the Directv combo unit so I can record 3 things at once. An incredible piece of technology that actually makes life better.
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Summary: To me, TIVO is essential. I could not watch TV without it!!!
Review: Now that I've had my Tivo for almost a year, I feel I can really give a proper review. Most people here have pretty well covered all the bases. I just notice that the longer I use Tivo, the more I am in love with it. It is, hands down, aside from my computer, the best electronics purchase I have made. Bar none. I can't even think about watching Tivo without TV now. Finally, I can say goodbye to all those endless video tapes that I probably will never again use in this lifetime. Recording is a snap. But I don't even watch TV now without my Tivo remote in my hands. If I miss something someone said...I just click and back up and replay it. Or skip over the commercials. Or pause for the phone. Or...well you get the picture.
If I had to choose one electronic device...I'd chose TV over a DVD player. Tough, tough choice, but if I HAD to, Tivo would win.
I can't imagine that Tivo is taking this long to take off in our society. People still don't exactly "get" how much it can enhance their lives. I think the only way you can really tell is by living with it on a daily basis. I still marvel,even now, at subtle new ways I intuitively use the remote.
I'd disregard most of the comments about setting it up. It was difficult for me too. But the Tivo people know what they are doing. And, to me, no matter what complications you run into about installation, Tivo is worth every minute of it. Once it is set up...and you WILL get set up...it will provide endless hours of freedom from being chained to your TV...and more!!!
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Summary: Exceeded ALL Expectations!!!
Review: I can finally watch TV! I refuse to come home JUST to sit in frint of a TV. Now, I watch Sopranos, Sex in the City, Oz, Ally McBeal, Mind of a Married... anytime I want! AND it records all the episodes of any shows I set up on the "Season Pass" feature.
I am incompetent when it comes to using or connecting any home electronics. The Tivo phone assistance was amazing! This Philips recorder has been flawless for the last year. The remote is easy and was programmed for all other equipment. I am buying this for my brother, best friend and Dad this holiday!
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary machine
Review: Tivo is a wonderful gadget. With it, I always have on hand 30 hours of recorded programs that I really may wish to see. It allows me to watch news programs and zip through commercials and self-serving spin by reactionary political hacks. The controls are beautifully designed and frequent improvements are automatically downloaded to the device. The process for requesting a recording is laughably quick and easy. I had to tinker with it a bit when I set it up, mainly because I did not bother to read the directions, but the telephone support was helpful and cheerful. Another reviewer found that he could not watch live TV and use Tivo simultaneously - must have operated it incorrectly - live TV is always available during recording. Also, the telephone connection does not intrude at all - incoming or outgoing calls will inconspicuously go through, should they occur while Tivo is downloading the schedule. While adults who hate being limited to a broadcast/cable TV schedule would love this thing, I think it is even better for children. Having a nice menu of hig quality kid recordings on hand lets parents control content and timing of TV watching. It would be particulaly helpful for parents whose children are devoted to programs which may be timed to interfere with homework or meals. As an educator, I am concerned by the tyranny TV exerts over children at an age when they lack the maturity to turn off a program and let it go. If a story will be remain available for a while, the need to watch it it may not seem as compelling later on. (Works for grown-ups too.)
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