TiVo Series2 Digital Video Recorder (*TiVo Service Fee Not Included)
TiVo Series2 80-hour DVR
A previous reviewer stated the following:<br />\\"One review states \\"Be sure to understand that not only do you need to buy the TiVo (the player) itself, but you also need to buy the service!\\", this is 100% false. You don't have to purchase any service at all. The service gives you access to the \\"Season Pass\\" feature where you can tell TiVo to record every showing of a certain show. But you can always set the TiVo up to do this manually, you do not have to purchase any service at all.\\"<br />You will need to subscribe to the service for all Series2 units, after the initial grace period, it will not function at all without a subscription. Note that if you choose a lifetime subscription, that subscription is tied to that specific machine, i.e. for its lifetime, not yours. Other than to replace a defective unit (within 90 days), you cannot transfer the lifetime subscription to another unit.<br />That being said, I enjoy my TiVo and now wonder what I will do with 3 VCRs that have now been rendered obsolete. I use practically all of the features except for the suggestions, which is a configurable option.<br />Note that the unit requires a telephone line for initial setup, or least until the ship units with version 4.0x of the software. After this point, I highly recommend interfacing it to a home network with a broadband connection for the best results and most utility. Should you do so, check out the HMO (Home Media Option) which allows, among other features, remote scheduling of programs via a web interface.<br />There are issues with the picture quality. I watch on a 36\\" tube and notice artifacts and pixellation, particularly with NFL games on live TV. For recording off of digital cable using the Best quality setting, I notice no degradation beyond the inherent limitations of the source material. Use the S-video input and outputs if at all possible for the best quality picture. Channel changing speed will depend on what type of equipment you interface it to. In my instance, it controls a digital cable box through a serial interface and channel changes take several seconds. It is not conducive to flipping back and forth between two programs.<br />The ease of use is right up there with the best of products. The TiVo becomes your servant, beckoning to your every request. I wonder how I lived without it and only wish it had more capacity (there are third-party upgrade options available to increase capacity).nce, it controls a digital cable box through a serial interface and channel changes take several seconds. It is not conducive to flipping back and forth between two programs.<br />The ease of use is right up there with the best of products. The TiVo becomes your servant, beckoning to your every request. I wonder how I lived without it and only wish it had more capacity (there are third-party upgrade options available to increase capacity).