Sony SVR-2000 Digital Video Recorder
Tivo Great!  .....Sony is the pits
I have owned this unit for over 2 years.  I am addicted to Tivo.  The problem is Sony.  You must understand that these units rely heavely on a working modem.  If you modem dies, you can no longer use the unit and you cannot just open the unit and put in a new modem.  You MUST send it back to the manufacturer.  After one year of ownership, my Sony modem failed.  I had to send the unit back to Sony for [$$$] repair.  Now, last week, my modem failed again.  Sony is no help whatsoever.  I am guessing that this is the reason that Tivo has started to manufacture the hardware themselves.  As luck would have it.  I just decided that I would never do without my Tivo so before the subscription rates went up a few months ago, I switched to the lifetime service for [$$$].  (now about [$$$]).  Now I am faced with paying [$$$] again to repair the modem or buy a new unit.  Sony has offered no explanation as to the cause of the modem problems and has basically said tough luck.  Tivo has agreed to transfer my new membership to the new recorder if purchased from them but that is another [$$$].  I have already layed out [$$$] for the past two years of Tivo, I don't know that I am smart to sink anymore money into this investment.  <br />Look really hard at the manufacturer and warranties before buying a recorder.  Maybe one procuct worth the extended warranties.  I liked Tivo so much that I bought one for my parents 2 Christmas's ago.  I bought them the lesser Phillips, due to cost, and they have never had a problem.  <br />I would buy the Tivo product if starting now.  At least you have leverage with getting them to fix the unit so you can continue with their service.<br />Bottom line:  Tivo is Great!  But pass on the Sony recorders...