TiVo Series2 DT user reviews (80-hours)

Pros Stylish design, excellent interface, multiple outputs, reasonable HDD capacity, records two programs at once, inexpensive with contract.

Cons Programs recorded higher than "basic" quality require tons of space, basic features will turn off power users, no support for HD content, no way to interact without the remote.

Summary I can't believe that some people are giving this product scores of 3s and 2s, mainly citing its inability to play HD content as a huge downfall.

There is a TiVo available that allows HD content. This is for the basic home user who is watching television from your run of the mill coaxial input.

I find that it works perfectly for what I need.

I would love to see an improved TiVo Desktop for transferring programs to and from the box though. As of right now, it's a little limited.

Pros Love TiVo compared to the Comcast DVR I have now. Much simpler to use. Cheaper if you buy instead of monthly payments of almost forty dollars.

Cons No HDTV. Doesn't work with my setup.

Summary Whoever is running TiVo was really behind the curve when deciding to go to HDTV. Will be returning to TiVo when high definition is included. Unfortunately that seems to be October or later. I'm waiting. The comcast remote and options are a nightmare.

Pros Easy to setup and use, Tivo-to-go, parental controls, can schedule from internet

Cons Remote buttons don't respond well, 80 hours only applies if you record at the lowest quality level

Summary Background: I'm new to Tivo and DVR's in general, but I'm a tech savvy person and I've built many computers from scratch.

Good: The Tivo does what it is advertised to do. Best of all it does it in a simple, straighforward way, but doesn't leave out the ability to get a little fancy with features like Tivo-to-go, internet scheduling, and upgrades. The reason I bought Tivo vs. a Media Center PC was cost and simplicity. Tivo is a lot cheaper, even with the subscription service and it was something my wife and kids could quickly learn. This unit does not support HDTV, but I haven't jumped on the HD bandwagon yet so I wasn't worried. Additionally, when I decide to switch to HD, Tivo has HD boxes available and I can port my service to the new box. The system comes with a large variety of cabling so you shouldn't need to make a second trip for cables.

Bad: Tivo's website is a little rough around the edges and could stand to be revamped. The online scheduling area isn't as easy as it should be. The remote control feels nice in your hand, but using it is somewhat clumsy; the numbers are below the balance point and are a little too small for your thumb, the buttons lack sensitivity and must be pushed down all the way in order to work them, and some buttons are silkscreened on the button face (white on grey) making them hard to read.

Ultimately I'm happy with the product and I consider it to be a good value... purchased as a holiday sale for about 70% off and your 3rd year free.

Pros Dual Tuner Feature

Cons Lacks HDTV support

Summary I have worked with many Tivos and I can say they are very good products. I would like to see HDTV come to Tivo. I like the product, but for it to survive, it needs to be able to support all the new feature of the new HDTVs today. Otherwise, your better off building a media center PC that can record HD (that is with a HD capture card).