29 out of 31 people found this review helpful.
Cool concept, but is it really worth $1200.00 to watch TV?
Date of Review: Dec 3, 2002
The Bottom Line: TIVO is a great gizmo. However, it is not cheap I can?t say that the initial cost is really worth it though.
I bought my wife a TIVO recorder this past week. I must say, this thing is one cool gadget. TIVO records the shows you want to watch, recommends shows you might want to watch, and filters-out shows/commercials you don't want to watch. That said, this technology comes at a price. Combined with the digital cable (or satellite) that you must have to get a decent picture and selection, TV become a very expensive form of entertainment, but more on that later.
Installation
The 80hr TIVO unit comes with excellent instructions for set-up. The 5-page getting started booklet is easy to understand and has diagrams that anyone can follow. If you have a problem following the instructions you can go to the web site (www.tivo.com) and there are helpful hints online as well as online user groups that offer tips and tricks.
However, they forgot one important piece of information regarding the connection to the cable box. When hooking the TIVO unit to a Motorola (AT&T) digital cable box you must, MUST use the IR connection. The serial connection will not work. This is not mentioned in the instructions and I spent several hours trying to figure this out, finally I called user support and that is what they told me. A small issue I know, but I really don't like the IR connectors hanging off the front of my cable box. It just looks cheesy.
It would also have been nice to know that while I had the entertainment center pulled away from the wall I needed to split the cable coming from the wall, one end going directly to TIVO and another end going to the TVs auxiliary jack. The reason for this is so when TIVO is recording one show I can bypass the TIVO unit and watch another show on live TV (See Dislikes for more on why this is an issue).
Another little gripe is I was unable to use the telephone jack that my digital cable box was using. So I went to radio shack and bought a wireless telephone transmitter and receiver that plugs into an electrical outlet. An easy fix that addd $100.00 to the total cost of your TIVO. If you do not have a telephone jack near your TV you will need this option or need to run a phone line in your wall.
How TIVO Works
Simply put, TIVO is a computer hard drive for your TV. Once a day TIVO dials a local phone number and gets all the programming information for your viewing area (hence the monthly service fee). While you watch TV you rate programs via the remote control with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Your rating, and the other shows you choose to record help TIVO determine the type of shows you might like to watch. TIVO then is able to make viewing suggestions based on you likes and dislikes.
TIVO also record the shows as you watch them so you can pause or rewind a show if the phone rings or the pizza delivery truck arrives (trust me with TIVO your pizza bill will increase!).
Likes
The unit itself looks like a standard piece of stereo equipment. It fits in well with all my other components. I like the remote control it is similar to the cable remote and is easy to understand. I love the guide. This is one of the main functions of TIVO and makes it very easy to find shows to record. The guide displays every show on every channel for any day/time you choose. Once you find a show you simply select is and it will be recorded. That's it! It really is that simple.
Dislikes
First of all I was under the impression that I could watch one show and record another simultaneously. This is not really the case unless you split the cable coming from the wall and then have two inputs into the TV. To me this makes no sense the TIVO unit has a TV tuner and the TV has a TV tuner. Even my VCR allows me to watch one and record another. Also, the only way to control the cable box from the TIVO unit is with these two IR transmitters that must stick out in front of the cable box. This is a small issue since I know y kids will, at some point, destroy them.
The other gripe I have is cost. The other gripe I have is cost. My first year cost of ownership looks like this:
$55/month for digital cable-------------$660.
$13/month TIVO---------------------------$156.
$350 for TIVO unit-------------------------$350.
$100 wireless telephone jack---------$100.
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Total cost of first year ownership-$1,266.
That means for this year I will have spent more than $1,266. just for the luxury of viewing and recording television. Granted, I could have spent less on TIVO by buying a cheaper unit, or not having cable, but this is a luxury item so why skimp. I also could have opted for the annual service for $250., but I want to try it out for a few months first.
Overall Opinion
I like TIVO, I think it is a good idea and a great gizmo. However, it is not cheap and while it makes TV viewing much more fun, I can't say that the initial cost is really worth it. In my opinion, Direct TV with their PVR package may be a better deal. Otherwise if cost is not an issue, go for it you will love it.
