TiVo TCD540040 Series2 40-Hour Digital Video Recorder
TiVo - making the VCR truly obsolete!
Before our TiVo came, the only reason we had to have a VCR was to tape television shows so they could be screened when we actually have free time or just wanted to veg-out for a while.  Having a DVD player for movies and now the TiVo for delayed TV program viewing makes the VCR truly a technological dinosaur IMO. <br /> <br />The beauty of TiVo isn't so much the hardware, but the user interface and software that gives what would just be a DVR the \\"TiVo Experience\\".  Sure, this \\"experience\\" costs $13/month but to us, it's worth it.  We set up our season passes, give \\"thumbs up\\" to shows we like, \\"thumbs down\\" to shows we don't like and TiVo does the rest.  It captures all the shows we want to watch, stuff we are or might be interested in watching and keeps track of which shows we've already seen, so reruns aren't recorded and HD space wasted.  So, whenever we're able to watch TV, our favorite show is on; for example, whether it is an early Saturday morning or late Wednesday evening, we can watch CSI, Law & Order, Survivor or what ever we feel like watching. <br /> <br />On top of this functionality is the ability to schedule programs over the internet and watch recorded shows remotely using their TiVoTOGo software (which requires your TiVo to be connected to a broadband internet connection). <br /> <br />While TiVo is a great product that puts your TV viewing on *your* schedule it does have a few things that are small drawbacks.  I mentioned that it's worth the $13/month charge, but having to pay anything is a negative aspect of the service.  I really think $9.99/month (like XM radio) would be even more tolerable and make the service an unbeatable deal.  The advertising that works its way into the system (on the TiVo home screen) is also annoying.  I'm paying to use the service, why should I have to be subjected to more advertising!?  And lastly, the fan noise can be a bit loud on occasion as the unit heats up and tried to cool itself.  Really though, these are the only considerable drawbacks. <br /> <br />TiVo is one of those \\"things\\" that you can't fully appreciate until you have it and once you do, you won't know how you lived without it.