TiVo Series2 Digital Video Recorder (*TiVo Service Fee Not Included)
Started w/ ReplayTV, then a set-top box, ended happy w/ Tivo
Started with Replay TV almost 4 years ago.  Its \\"commercial skip\\" feature misfired often enough that I didn't use it.  Used my friend's Time Warner set-top box while house sitting for 2 weeks and if you think that has anywhere near the functionality of a Tivo you will be sorely disappointed.  Upgraded to the 80 hour Tivo and found it as easy to set up as a VCR and I even have both cable *and* satellite inputs (it accepts both at the same time).  When using the cable, there's a trick so that you can record one show while watching another live show -- see Tivo FAQ's (you can always do that if the show you're watching is one you've already recorded).  One minor glitch I had was cleared up by Tivo's tech people which I found very friendly.  Tivo has the most advanced and easy-to-use software (in contrast to Replay and cable or satellite set-top boxes).  With set-top boxes it's said that they will not be permitting you to record their Video On Demand features.  With Tivo, you record anything you want and transfer what you want to VHS tape or DVD (if you have a DVD burner).  Just buy the \\"lifetime\\" Tivo subscription -- that $299 will amortize itself in no time -- better than paying a monthly fee to Tivo or to your satellite or cable provider which could be raised at any time.  If you're new to DVR, you won't believe how many times you will start using simple functions like pausing live TV to get something from the fridge or replaying a 30 second clip because you missed what they said or because something hilarious happened that you want to see again a couple of times.  You'll purposely start watching a news show 15 minutes after it begins so you can start it from the beginning and skip thru either commercials or segments you're bored with.  As you skip forward, you're catching up with live TV, thus a 30 minute sitcom is watched in 20 minutes, a 60 minute drama is watch in 40 minutes.  If you don't want to watch a news segment that's been already over-played, just skip past it.  When you come home, it's nothing at all like a VCR.  All your recorded programs show up on the TV (like files on a computer terminal).  Just choose the one you want to watch first.  If you discover it's a rerun that you've seen, just delete it like you delete a file on the computer -- blip, it's gone -- no fast forwarding to the next show like with a VCR.  Now that's efficiency!  If, in your opinion, there's only about 4 hours of good programming on in a 2-week period, that's the best reason to get Tivo.  You look at the programs coming up over the next 2 weeks and choose those programs that may interest you.  If a few turn out to be duds, blip, just delete them when you play the first minute and are disappointed.  Just move on to another item on your \\"Now Playing\\" list.  People with Tivo don't channel surf, they have enough in programming already stored on their hard-drive that they can always pick something of interest.  Personally, I find the larger capacity storage (80hr. vs. 40hr) worth it for only a $100 difference in price, but either way, get one of the Tivo's.