Entered CNET Catalog: 07/28/2004
SKU: R540040
Manufacturer: TiVo Inc.
Manufacturer description
TiVo Series2 DVR records up to 40 hours of entertainment without the hassles of videotape, plus pause, rewind, slow-mo and instant replay live TV. It works with any TV setup, from a simple antenna to cable, digital cable and satellite. TiVo Series2 DVR connects to your home network (and broadband) so you can enjoy digital music, digital photos, tivo online scheduling and more.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
User Rating: 
8/10
Great Product
Pros: Record TV Shows Automatically
Cons: Have to find setting to turn off automatic suggestions
User Rating: 
9/10
Could Not Live Without My Tivo!
Pros: Very easy to use
Cons: Slow to restart
User Rating: 
7/10
Great for it's generation
Pros: Easy, Ever being updated
Cons: Picture Quality, No optical or coax out
User Rating: 7/10
Good Product
Pros: Same great interface!
Cons: One year subsription sucks!
User Rating: 9/10
We just Love It !
Pros: Easy to use
Cons: No High Definition
User Rating: 9/10
The Standard
Pros: Absolute best set up
Cons: single tuner
People that have a DVR, like to say they have a TiVo.. but they dont. Get the REAL thing. You wont be sorry.
User Rating: 
1/10
NOT UP TO PAR SAVE YOUR MONEY
Pros: built in dvd recorder
Cons: YOUR LOCAL CABLE COMPANY BOX IS MUCH BETTER THAN TIVO AND COST LESS JUST BUY A DVD RECORDER WITH "IR BLASTER" AND SAVE ON THE OVERALL COST AND THE MONTHLY COST..WHO EVER OWNS ONE IS AN IDIOT!!!(LOL)
IF YOUR WONDERING WHY IM SO ANGRY DON'T GET ME STARTED ON CUSTOMER SERVICE(that should explain all). TIVO GET UP TO DATE YOU BUMS.
User Rating: 9/10
works just fine
Pros: pause tv and go to the toilet
Cons: grainy at lowest res
User Rating: 
2/10
TIVO not user friendly
Pros: Record TV, Network with your computers music and photo files.
Cons: No voice over IP setup option, No in box network connection, poor customer service with extremely long waits, read the opinion for more.
Problems:
1) Need to set it up with a standard phone line. I know many people in my generation have gone to exclusive use of cell phone or voice over IP as their telephones of choice. So, the very people TIVO is targeting (young, computer and technology savy people) don't even have the equipment in their homes to run the initial set up. I had to go to my parents house in order to set my tivo up.
2) One of the main reasons I went with TIVO instead of Cablevisions DVR was the ability to network my music. However despite the series 2 promotion of this feature, there is no ethernet port to connect to your network. So you have to buy a USB ethernet adaptor. One more catch only certain usb ethernet adaptors will work and you will be surprised to find out how difficult it is to find the correct one. If TIVO is so particular about which adaptor will work, why not send the correct adaptor in the box with all the other cords and connection equipment?
3) After 4 days of use, my tivo became stuck in a reboot cycle. I can send it to TIVO for a replacement which will be sent to me 10-14 business days after the broken TIVO is recieved. So I'm guessing it will take about 3 weeks at least before I see my new one. Oh, and guess what. They will still be charging me my monthly fee to use TIVO's service despite the fact that I don't have a TIVO machine to use the service. Sounds like a company that really cares about their customers.
So, in summary I am very disappointed in my TIVO experience. I can't live without DVR so I guess I'll go back to my cable provider for service which I really didn't want to do. I was really excited about being able to play all my digital music over my living room stereo system. I guess I will have to breakdown and get an IPod with airport express or something similar.
User Rating: 2/10
setup too difficult to be worth it
Pros: cute logo.
Cons: no VoIP setup support, no network support out of the box, software updates take 3 days, no supported 30sec commerical skip feature
2. There's a PPP serial workaround for the POTS line issue, but it is only documented on THIRD PARTY websites.
3. Network adapter has to be purchased separately.
4. If you buy an 802.11g network adapter, it will require a software update that can take up to 3 days for Tivo to deliver to your box.
5. There is NO way to request an immediate software update.
6. My Dish Network PVR has a 30 second commercial skip feature. The Tivo doesn't.
7. There's a hidden 30 second commercial skip feature, but you have to learn about it on THRID PARTY websites. Tivo could disable it at any time if they want to since it is not officially supported.
After hearing so much hype these past few years about Tivo, I was excited to take advantage of their recent price changes and give it a try. The setup issues though took all my fun out of my Tivo experience. I boxed it up to be shipped back Monday.
User Rating: 
3/10
I used to love it...
Pros: The Tivo functionality is very useful when it works. You will definitely be hooked once you get used to it.
Cons: Tech support is just plain bad. Product does not work for sports, period.
1. Random rebooting. Recently my Tivo reboots randomly causing any show I'm recording to loose 6-7 minutes. Not acceptable for a DVR.
2. Faulty software. The TivoToGo software which is the reason I'm willing to pay a monthly fee is faulty and may not work properly. Of my last 24 show transfers 2 of them did not work.
I would not buy a Tivo again, and I would advise others to avoid Tivo and look to a competing product, there simply isn't anything that Tivo has thats worth the hassle.
User Rating: 8/10
Great! Except for...
Pros: pause live tv, skip the boring commercials, come home from work to your shows
Cons: if using the IR cable, th4e Tivo does not always record the right shows
My only gripe with the Tivo is that you can only record one show at a time and when using the IR port instead of the serial port, my Tivo would oftentimes record the wrong shows or not recording anything but blank "space". The reason for this is that the IR cable splits at the end and you need to mount the two spliced ends onto your cable/satellite box above and below the cable/satellite box's infrared sensor. This makes channel changing extremely slow in which case the Tivo sometimes does not change to the right channel in time and your show does not get recorded. I wanted to have a satellite receiver that had a serial port instead, but when I checked with DirecTV, they were unable to guarantee that if I bought a new receiver that I would get one with a serial port. This frustrated me to no end, but I lived with it, that is until my Tivo died on me...
I contacted Tivo and even though my warranty had expired a few weeks prior, their Tech Support team still honored it for me and had me send it in to be replaced.
I sent my bad Tivo box into them and now I found myself missing all of my shows that I could not be home for because watching them on grainy VHS tapes was just not an option anymore. I could not believe that I was like a crack addict needing my fix and living without Tivo was just plain impossible.
Luckily for me, my satellite service (DirecTV) offers a DVR satellite receiver. This receiver is Tivo built into their own cable box. It was only $99.00 at the time, so I bought it and had it installed and BOY WHAT A DIFFERENCE.
I could now record two shows at one time while watching a third, no more IR cables were needed and thus I have never missed a single show again or had something else record instead of what I was wanting to be recorded. The interface is the same as regular Tivo and I now was not having to pay the Tivo monthly charge on top of my satellite service charges.
I must say however I do miss one major thing that Tivo offered that I no longer have access to. You can go onto Tivo's website and select your shows that you want to have recorded and this information will be sent to your Tivo box at home, making it even easier to get your shows recorded!
Now, while I am a TOTAL tivo convert, I must say that if you are looking for a DVR, definitely get the integrated version that your cable/satellite service offers for the best experience possible.
User Rating: 
10/10
TIVO IS MY NEW BEST FRIEND!
Pros: SEASON PASS, FAST FORWARD COMMERCIALS
Cons: NO CONS, ONLY PROS!
User Rating: 9/10
Overall the best DVR I've used
Pros: Easy set up. Well organized list of recordings and "To do list"
Cons: Additional equipment necessary to add to home network
User Rating: 9/10
You'll never watch TV the same way again
Pros: Record whenever; watch whenever. Fantastic TV "guide" showing 2 weeks of programs.
Cons: Setup is cruel. Add $100 for someone else to do it
I know that I could ever go back to the days of not having my TiVo. It helps to have the lifetime subscription: the charge is $300, but that pays for itself in 21 months. My three-year old TiVo is still going strong, so I figure that one's "free" now. Let's hope that whenever TiVo is acquired by somebody like HP that the new company honors the subscription.
User Rating: 9/10
Changed my Television Live
Pros: It will completely change the way you watch Television
Cons: Not compatible with VOIP have to network it and no ethernet port
The only cons are if you have a Voip system in your home you will have to network the tivo for it to work. Not a major problem considering if you have vonage in your home you probubly already have a network. The only other con is the lack of a ethernet port. It only has usb which means you have to buy an adapter if you ever want to network it.
User Rating: 9/10
I think of Mr Tivo as my tv butler
Pros: Watch what you want, when you want
Cons: Networking was a little tricky
User Rating: 
6/10
Nice, but where is the wireless keyboard?
Pros: Two-tuner capability... finally
Cons: No wireless keyboard =0( Subscription costs high
User Rating: 9/10
it will change your life
Pros: watch what you want, when you want to, without commercials
Cons: not knowing how much room is left to record
User Rating: 10/10
flexible and the best
Pros: those who say it doesn't have a 30 second skip button don't know how to program their remote to get one. TiVo is committed to allowing its customers to change their box to perform best for them. NOT for the MPAA or the networks
Cons: none
User Rating: 9/10
Tivo + Cable = :)
Pros: You can watch shows on your own time. Easy to use. Inexpensive. TivoToGo is about to come out!
Cons: Subscription. Can only record one show at a time.
User Rating: 7/10
GREAT WATCH TV WHEN YOU WANT
Pros: GREAT PRODUCT... QUALITY IS GOOD, INTERFACE IS EASY TO USE
Cons: LIKED MY REPLAY TV BETTER!!!!! MORE CONTROL... EARASE MY SHOWS AFTER 48 HRS, VERY ANNOYING AND TOOOOOOO MANY MENUS TO GO THROUGH
User Rating: 9/10
The best thing ever invented
Pros: I could go on for ever. I delayed in buying one and when I got one for a gift, I could have died. Why did I wait so long. This is truly the best thing ever.
Cons: Now I can not make the excuse up that I don't want to miss a football game or show. My wife finds a lot of things for me to do and now I have no way out since I can record or pause the show. Rats!
User Rating: 3/10
TIVO wants to stay behind
Pros: It's a good DVR for SDTV
Cons: TIVO anounces it has no plans in the future to support a DVR compatible with HDTV signals for cable subscribers. I'll bet there is more cable subscribers than satellite
User Rating: 1/10
Gives you razor not the blades
Pros: Some of the above positive comments are the exact words used in Circuit City Reviews. You are being sold the razor but have to pay through the nose for the required TIVO subscription. Get one that doesn't hard wire you to TIVO!
Cons: Looks you in to Tivo
User Rating: 1/10
TiVo is an Overblown Fad!
Pros: Season Ticket, Program Tracking, Cleaner more Eye Friendly User interface, Network (IP) Interface.
Cons: Poor Picture Quality (my DISH PVR has far better quality; No Optical Output of Surround Sound; Can't record two consecutive programs is they overlap and all network programming now overlaps (I asked tech support when this was to be fixed, I was told "if"
User Rating: 9/10
It really is TV your way
Pros: Ease of use, good interface, I get to watch what I want when I want to
Cons: Monthly fee (or 299 one time.)
User Rating: 3/10
not for big screens
Pros: easy hookup..and on screen menu's
Cons: lacks built-in network...universal remote didnt have the right codes...picture quality is not good on big screens..the source signal is processed, and delayed to allow for live recording thus creating a more grainy picture...wait for cable pvr's or HD...o
User Rating: 10/10
Best DVR on the Planet
Pros: Easy to use. Adictive. My wife said, "You get used to Tivo very quickly" Changes the way you use TV. You watch what you want to watch.
Cons: Would like live Internet access. Be able to select movie trailers. Wold like pay for view movies.
User Rating: 10/10
The DVR out there
Pros: the Directivo is by far better than the Dishnetwork DVR. It actually records the programs without locking up. I have had all 3 of mine for 7 months now and have not had one problem
Cons: no RF remote
User Rating: 8/10
Can't Live Without It!!
Pros: - Watch what you want, when you want - Pause live TV - Season passes record your favorite shows, no matter what time or channel they're on
Cons: - DirecTiVo's don't support the new Home Media Option
User Rating: 8/10
Very good item for busy people.
Pros: Can watch what you want, when you want.
Cons: Not enough recording time. $13 a month is a bit high.
User Rating: 9/10
Better Than Cable DVRs!
Pros: Go with the original. the best. the one. the only. the most powerful. the most elegant.
Cons:
User Rating: 7/10
Needs a network and broadband to really shine
Pros: Wired / Wireless Networking Share video / music across network between units - if wired into Home Theater, best way to play MP3 from PC on HT.
Cons: Needed 2 long dial-in sessions before could attach and use network devices. Will record multiple programs on it's own based on viewing habits - need to be careful not to lose desired programs to this process.
User Rating: 1/10
The Worst POS I have ever bought . . .
Pros: Program tracking/Season Pass Very Pretty User Interface. Ethernet/WiFi Connection Home Media Option (kinda cool)
Cons: I was told by customer service when I cancelled my service (expensive) it that I could easily sell my 80. Nope. The 80 itself was expensive. HMO now free after I had to pay for it. Poor Picture Quality (SVideo)- Banding, Artifacts No Optical output fo
User Rating: 
5/10
Nice product with quality control problems
Pros: Lots of features, easy to use, easy setup. If it works the $399 price is good--$99 for box, $299 for the lifetime guide.) Seems flexible in use and sort of cutsomizable.
Cons: I'm on my third TIVO box in a month--first two were defective. Phone support can be time consuming (read a book while waiting.) Phone people are local to US, friendly, intelligible, and helpful.
User Rating: 
4/10
Why Pay $199.xx???
Pros: It records..
Cons: Why pay the $199.xx for the box when DirecTV has promotions for free install and hookup including a Phillips Tivo Recordable 35 hour box for only $99.xx? I bought one about 8 months ago while already having DirecTV service and just wanted to add my 4th B
User Rating: 8/10
TiVO Not for couch potatoes!!
Pros: TiVO really is best when you DON'T WATCH ALOT OF TV. I watch only a little so for, say, 1 hour on Weds night I can watch I have a selection of GOOD SHOWS - Not bound by the crap on TV. I can stay current with SNL even though I'm almost never home at 11:
Cons: Hard drive based devices have notoriously short lifespans - replaced a TiVO after 22 months. But what a 22 months that was :)
User Rating: 10/10
TiVo is just amazing!
Pros: Basically TiVo allows you to watch what you want whenever you want. You'll watch a repeat unless you want to, and there will always be something on that you want to watch.
Cons: Because of the extra analog-digital-analog conversion, as noted the picture is a little soft (switch to DirecTV and their integrated satellite/TiVo boxes if you can) and navigating the menus is not as quick as I would like.
User Rating: 9/10
Great, Simple to use for all the family
Pros: It Can do plenty of things, even learn what type of programes you like and hate and has been out on the market long before anything else of its kind.
Cons: A little expensive, but worth it
User Rating: 9/10
TiVo changed my TV viewing. I can't live w/o it anymore.
Pros: Incredible interface, easy to use, great remote. Awesome!
Cons: No dual tuner option so you have to record what you watch at the time, no 30 second forward skip button.
User Rating: 3/10
Find a self-contained unit-not one that requires two boxes (DVR and satellite tuner).
Pros: Can't think of any
Cons: Requires two boxes, doesn't have dual LNB capability (can't record more than one program at the same time), expensive (I found a dual LNB single box 80 hour unit for $99.99). Relatively small hard drive. Some units have 80 or 120 hours or more.
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