And if so, what's it all about!? How do you like it? Their web site is confusing to me (there's a newsflash).

Doody,

I have TIVO and I love it. I don't know about their website, though - I haven't been there in quite a while. But TIVO is very convenient - you can set up to record programs you like - like I love Project Runway. I have TIVO set up to record each episode. So even if I'm not home, it's recorded. And I can save or delete the shows that I've recorded.

Jean

Hi. I have a question. I have Directv. I do not have the DVR thing. I still use vcrs to tape and Alan and I LOVE to swap tapes.

The reason I don't do the DVR thing is that I would have to have strangers deliver the boxes (2) to me, and have them hook it up.

Now I have heard about Tivo. I know what that is.

Could I possibly get two Tivo boxes (to replace my existing Directv boxes). And that way I wouldn't have to have strangers come to my home.

I would need a box for me in the bedroom, and for Alan in the living room where either he watches, or we both watch (with our own set of individual volume controlled headsets. Really neat setup I did because now we can sit in the living room together, watch anything we want and adjust our own individual headsets. If I let him watch a show without a headset, I'd be kicked out of my apartment, that's how loud he makes it, he has a 20% hearing loss and he doctor told him to use a headset. But I could never watch a show with him. Then I put in a splitter, inserted two separate headphones and now we can sit together when we wish and enjoy the same show.

So do I need to actually use the DVR Directv boxes, or can I buy two TIVO boxes? (I know I have to subscribe to tivo service, right? (I think)???

Thanks much for any info
Melody

Well, those are some of my questions too Melody, and I just don't know.

I don't even know for sure which TiVo would be best for me and I'm just not sure about their payment plans either.

I do have cable, but still don't understand how it works with all of that. They start getting a little pricey if you don't get the 'basic' tivo box.

Hmmm not sure I can totally answer your questions. Tivo was really the first of the DVRs and it is the more fancy DVR per se because they actually program the thing with extra things like showcases on advertisers products and behind the scene programs. So the Branded TIVO actually provided more content. THe other thing TIVO does which I find creepy is based on teh shows you record, it will search all of TV and suggest other things for you to watch.

BUt there really is no difference mechanically in how TIVO works versus a cable/satellite provided DVR. They both work off a TV guide listing and you look at that and tab over to the show you want and hit record. And if you want to record the whole season you hot record twice.

BUt TIVO is losing share because the cable companies and satellite companies can provide DVR boxes at a lower cost because they have more subscribers.

So eventually TIVO will sub contract itself out to the cable companies and satellite sompanies because TIVO cannot compete for subscribers on its own so it's likley that the TIVO guys will go into business with the cable guys and satellite guys and provide TIVO like service through the cable/satellite DVR boxes and you will pay a higher fee for TIVO like DVR services versus the basic DVR services.

I have had TIVO and a DVR through Direct TV. The TIVO box at the time cost me like $250 while the latest Direct TV DVR costs me like $5 a month more than my bill. Plase note an HD DVR which you do not need because there is not enough HD content out there would be more than $5 a month plus an extra fee for the HD programming.

So it really is more cost efficient to get your DVR through your cable or direct TV provider. Right now my TIVO sits in a closet and we have all Direct TV DVRs. BUt that could also be because I do business with the TIVO people and have never liked them.

Plus Mel I am not sure how you would have to hook up a TIVO with your direct TV service. Better to have them do it.

Hope that helps. DVRs are really nice. LIke tonight I am recording three programs at the same time on one box.

Shelley:

you answered EVERYTHING for me.

My next step (when I'm ready), is to do the Directv dvr thing.

Not right now. but someday.

Thanks much.

Melody

wow, thanks Shelley. I had no clue it was just another DVR service.

I agree totally with Shelley (sorry I'm late responding..)

I have tivo in the bedroom and dvr in the family room. But my husband is an electronics wizard and no job is too difficult for him!

He wanted to take away the tivo and get a HD-DVR but I like the way tivo sets up my programs and records them. And I don't care about recording in HD - i don't save the shows after I watch them anyway.

I guess the bottom line is i'm used to tivo so I tape my shows in the bedroom. I don't even know how to set up to record on the dvr in the family room!

and so it goes!

Jean

CAN I ADOPT YOUR HUSBAND????

lol

LOL

He is amazing - and loves 'fixing things' (and he's a computer guru - network engineer as well...)

lucky me! (truly)

Jean