TiVo Series2 Digital Video Recorder (*TiVo Service Fee Not Included)
Better than sliced bread
I'm quite convinced that if people knew more about what Tivo did, everyone would have one.  It will become as ubiquitous as TV itself.  It has revolutionized how my family watches TV.  We watch what we want, when we want to.  We never miss anything we want to see.  If the baby cries during a show, we just pause it and resume later.  Miss a really good play?  Rewind and watch it again - everything you are watching is being recorded, so you can rewind and see it immediately.  You can rewind/fast forward/pause while watching or recording.  The most important thing about Tivo is that it is ridiculously easy to use.  It's not like programming a VCR.  It's as simple as browsing the onscreen guide (same as you do with cable), and pushing the record button when you see a show you want.  You can even tell it to record all episodes of a show - and it know which ones are reruns and which are new episodes.  Everyone that visits our house leaves wanting a Tivo - it sells itself.