TiVo Series2â„¢ (80 Hours) (80 GB) 80-Hours Video Recorder

Pros: Great Product
Cons: Worlds worst customer service. Once they have your money they don't give a rip.

I have been waiting 6 months for my tivo rebate. They originally entered my name wrong when they transferred it from the rebate form – their computers said that it didn't match up with the invoice. Instead of having a person check to see what the problem was, they left it in rebate purgatory. I finally was able to get somebody on the phone who I thought knew what they were talking about after 4 months, and they told me that they made a keystroke error. You would think that they would try to put it on the fast track for the rebate, but they didn’t. Instead, they started the whole process over again. Every time I call and talk to them, they say that they will try to expedite the process. They ripped me off for $100! 8-10 weeks - baloney!

Pros: Don't miss shows; cartoons for kids; easy interface
Cons: expensive; proprietary; no buttons on unit;

TIVo is great depending how you watch TV. They advertise that it pauses live TV, but you won't really care... I haven't watched live TV since I got my TIVo about a year ago. There is always something recorded that I want to watch, so I have no reason to watch anything live... I do watch Survivor each week and can't wait, so at about 20 minutes after it starts I turn it on... the 20 minute padding allows me to fast forward through the commercials... By the time it is over, I am caught up with the rest of the world. I also like the fact I have it set to record 2 episodes each of Spongebob, Oswald, Rugrats, Max and Ruby, etc... about 10 different kids shows... This way the kids always have something new to watch.

Pros: It's convenient, can't move programs to other TV's, must watch where the TiVo is.
Cons: Data collection, no secure way to know what they do with the information they collect.

TiVO barely tells you in their user agreement that unless you opt out, they are collecting information on your viewing habits and reselling it. They "insist" that it's all harmless and anonymous, but there's no verification of that, and when money's involved (they sell your information) I think TiVo users should be cautious. You supposedly can opt out, but it's offensive to think that you are opted in to their data collection unless you choose otherwise. I wouldn't let my refrigerator tell Kraft Foods what I'm eating, and I won't let my video players tell anyone what I'm watching in the privacy of my own house. Screw TiVo.

Pros: Easy to use, saves sleep
Cons: Haven't found any

Tivo is quite possibly one of the greatest digital devices I own. Because I can record shows at anytime I've been able to catch up on so much lost sleep I feel like a new person. The great thing is is it wasn't too hard to set up. I definitely recommend Tivo.

Pros: Awesome!!
Cons: None

Why are you sitting in your chair waiting...this product is the best I have ever seen!! Get up and go out and buy it...Im buying one for my entire family this Xmas...I love it..Im even upgrading to an 80 hour DVD Recorder!! Please...you wont be sorry...go buy one!! Youll never regret it!!

Pros: Nice features, convenient and easy to use
Cons: Rebate not honored, TIVO ripped me off !!!

I bought a TIVO series 2 40hr DVR from BEST-BUY in Dec. 2003 and expected to take advantage of their ongoing, often advertised $50
rebate. I submitted the rebate form with the required receipts and UPC barcode in the time-frame required and was just informed that a rebate WILL NOT be forthcoming for no apparent reason. I've talked at length with TIVO representatives to resolve this with no resolution in sight. I can only assume that TIVO is in financial trouble and has made a business decision to stop honoring it's advertised commitments. I have liked my TIVO unit and service up till this point but am EXTREMELY annoyed with their handling of this matter and would urge any interested buyers to BEWARE and not expect the advertised rebates that TIVO offers.

Pros: Simple interface, great guide and search capabilities,
Cons: Tricky set-up. Cannot record full HD mode. Can only record one program at a time.

I have had the Series 2 since it first came out and also have the original series 1. They are both incredible products which dramatically change the way that you view TV. The Series 2 steps it up a notch by adding the ability to listen to music and view photos from your computer - now at no additional cost.
Though cable and satellite services are now adding Tivo-like capabilities to their Digital Video Recorders, Tivo's interface and ease of use are much better. It's search capability is especially impressive.
However, the current models' future is questionable because they cannot record full quality High Definition, and can only record one show at a time (though you can watch one show while recording another). A new Tivo-to-go feature seems very promising.
I purchased the lifetime guide for both models, and that has proven to be a much better value than paying the monthly fee because of the length of time that I have owned them.

Pros: Customer service helped me replace it when I had problems with hard disk crashes.
Cons: A series of hard disk crashes resulted in my having to return the unit.

I bought my Tivo about 1-1/2 years ago. I had no problem with the installation to my cable and TV. After 6 months I had a series of crashes of the internal hard disk and had to ship it back for repairs. The customer service was actually very good about sending me a refurbished model in exchange for my model. Apparently they never fixed it, or it was irreparable as I got to keep the refurbished model that worked just fine without crashing. Fortunately this all happened while it was under warranty, so I did not have to pay for any of the shipping or repair.
Most of the other reviews give the standard reviews of the functionality of the recording, etc. and I agree with most of them that this is a wonderful product. I love it especially when I am away on business or vacation and get to still record my favorite programs.

Pros: DVRs are great
Cons: TIVO technology is stuck on rewind

My 20 year old VCR can record two channels at the same time and can handle picture-in-picture. My Ultimate TV DVR from 5 years ago gave me these features (it also loaded all the screen info about 20 times faster, but that's another issue). I couldn't believe it when I switched to TIVO only to find out that they did not support picture-in-picture. I assumed with the new machines this would change, but instead they also dropped the dual tuner feature. This makes no sense.

Pros: Changes your TV viewing life. Believe me when I say it buys you time.
Cons: Calling tech support is not easy, and is not toll-free.

I love this system. The ability this gives you to change the way you watch TV is wonderful. I have hooked this up to my wireless network and it works like a charm! The manuals are easy to read and helpful. The Web site is even better. I only wish you could watch live TV and record at the same time (you cannot with the way I have it set up -- because of my DVD/stereo system). But this is worth the $350. I think Tivo is only going to get better in the coming years. I have been watching this company and technology for about 5 years now and they are just rocking.

Pros: Easy to use Wireless updates Convenient
Cons: No support for HDTV No support for CableCards

I loved my TIVO until I got an HDTV with the built in cable box.

1. TIVO doesn't support HDTV
2. TIVO can't control my new TV with the cable card.

Result: I'm cancelling my service until the series 3 is released.

Pros: It fills in that extra space I have above the DVD player.
Cons: Can't get it to connect to my wireless network.

I got this product as a gift, and first off, as I just moved to a new city, could not find anyone with a home phone to do the initial setup. Who has a home phone anymore? Then I went through 3 wireless adapters that I purchased at Best Buy, and the customer service there assured me that they would work with Tivo. They didn't. Finally I bought one off the Tivo website; it didn't work either. The serial numbers did not match those required by Tivo and listed on their website. Now I'm returning that one, but they will not exchange it for a correct adapter. I have to return it and order a new adapter from them. I would like to light my Tivo on fire, but unfortunately I have another 10 months in my contract, so I will continue to try to set it up. I would recommend any other option. Poor technology, poor customer support.

Pros: Season passes, pausing live TV, easy setup to tape programs
Cons: At least on ours, cannot tape and watch something else

We've had our Tivo for a year now, and it is the best purchase we've made! I don't think we could live without it! I still forget sometimes that I can pause and rewind live TV! It's also so easy to set programs to tape.

Once you make the leap and buy Tivo, you'll never regret it. It's fabulous and has made our TV watching lives much easier!

Pros: Ease of use, Capacity of recording
Cons: Pricey and lifetime subscription is expensive

This has made my life easier by having episodes of my sons favorite shows a push of a button away when I need a half hour to get something done or take a shower :) I'm sure some moms can relate to that. We can also record shows that are on at primetime when I am trying to put our 2 year old to bed and I never miss a show. I can stop a show and come back to that exact spot. I can't say enough good things about this unit. We went on vacation and we were lost without it as it was a different time zone and the channels were different. There was no guide channel to tell us what was on or the programming for future days. I wanted to go rent one (I don't even know if you can) but suffered through the vacation without one :)

Pros: Useful for recording shows you would usually miss
Cons: Infuriatingly bad customer service

I owned this unit for 6 months and it was great...until the DVR broke. I spent a total of 2 hours on hold trying to get in touch with someone from tech support (long distance call, nice) to verify that it was indeed broken. They absolutely refused to send me a refurbished unit unless they verified that it was broken. This was despite the fact that I told them it was making a horrible grinding noise _every_ time I plugged it in. The warranty is only 90 days for parts & labor. After that they charge you $100 for a refurbished unit. If you have to deal with customer service once, it will probably be the last time.