Philips HDR312 TiVo 30-Hour Digital Video Recorder
It's Here To Stay
Personal television recorders, or PTRs, such as Tivo, are here to stay and will only get better.  I have found this unit to be an outstanding product.  Here are my observations: (1)Setup was remarkably easy, but it is best to start the initial programming at night (it takes a few hours for the unit to set up the program guide the first time out); (2) The unit seamlessly integrates cable and satellite channels (no more switching between inputs on my tv); (3) setting up programs to record couldn't be easier (unless you find pressing one or two buttons difficult); 4) sound and video quality are more than acceptable; and (5) there's no more hunting for the right spot on a video tape to find a program to watch or to make sure you're not recording over something you want to keep.  The ability to pause and even rewind live programs made the bowl watching season a whole new experience.  Phone calls, restroom breaks or trips to the kitchen no longer mean that you might miss out on the action.  Even if you're just not paying attention or you just didn't understand what someone said, you won't miss anything.