We have been using TIVO for over 6 years and could not imagine TV life anymore without it.

The basic Digital Video Recorder (DVR) features are available such as pause a live broadcast program to use the bathroom, get something to eat or check the baby. When you come back, you can “continue where you left off” without missing a heartbeat. . You have the option of having your own personal backup and instant replay then continue with a game including anything you did not fully see or understand about it. You can do this with any TV program you’re watching, Super bowl was on my mind.

In addition, you may pre-program “season” passes for your favorite movies or series programs (Lost, Heroes, American Idol, etc). TIVO will automatically record at the right time and, if necessary, adjust the time and length if the program changes. In addition, you can record one channel while watching another or even watch one TIVO program while watching another TIVO program. It also has intelligent fast forward to let you skip commercials of any pre-recorded material.  We NEVER watch commercials anymore, except a few that appear interesting. There are many more standard features.

About 2 years ago, TIVO integrated with the Internet so that you can have lots more features:

      -       Get local weather information.

-       Get local traffic information.

-       Download movies from Amazon™ and/or Netflix™ for rental

      and/or purchase.

-       Download free movies about many, many topics.

-       Using special software you can download movies from TIVO to your PC

      then optionally edit and/or write to DVD to play later.

-       Online access to local theatre schedules, ticketing, previews and what’s

      showing/coming.

-       Use your TIVO to share photos as a slide show on your TV. You can use

      your TV as a picture source or one of the online sites where you share

      pictures.

-       Order pizza from your local Dominos™.

-       Play a number of games online.

-       Get High Definition TIVOs.

ALL THIS ON YOUR TV and MUCH, MUCH MORE !

With the addition of the Internet interfacing capability, the features are growing faster than ANY other DVR that I know about. Checkout http://www.tivo.com/ for more information.

When I purchased my TIVO, I was fortunate to be able to purchase a Lifetime Service Subscription. I have NEVER paid a monthly TIVO subscription in years. Most of the sales of TIVO have eliminated the lifetime service option but they periodically have “specials” where you can still GET the free lifetime service. So that you know, the lifetime subscription ONLY APPLIED to the TIVO unit it was subscribed to support. If your TIVO breaks, it cannot be fixed and you have to buy another TIVO, you would also have to buy another subscription.

My TIVO has lasted at least 7 or 8 years. However, I have to admit, I made some modifications to increase the life of my TIVO. I raised the unit up on extra large rubber feet so that it is about an inch above the wood shelf where it sits. Then I mounted a fan next to TIVO to blow air under the unit to create airflow and cooling. The TIVO gets very warm, so I know I have extended the life with this feature. By the way, System Options on TIVO will tell you how hot it is inside the unit.

I hope you have enjoyed this discussion and gained something from it. I am one of those people that says “I LOVE MY TIVO”.

Regards,

Mark