TIVO DVR'S AND SERVICE
Basic Information on Tivo DVR's
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Tivo Features
Season Pass recordings gets every episode of your favorite TV shows recorded with no more effort than telling it which shows you'd like to record. Looking for a show on a specific subject, such as sewing or home improvement? Enter these words and the Tivo search engine will find programs to meet your criteria, delivering them right to your Tivo DVR. Tivo Online Search will schedule your "one time only" program such as a TV Special or movie. Home Media Features will deliver weather and traffic, movie times and tickets, allow you to share digital photos, and more.
Sources For More Information
- Tivo.com is the official home page for Tivo DVR's and their service. Of course you should stop here first for more information on digital video recording.
- Circuit City sells several models of Tivo DVRs, and will often have sales and rebates so you can save even more money. They also sell a Tivo Wireless network adaptor so you can eliminate use of a phone line for updates.
- BizRate has the lowest prices and best customer reviews for tivo in Electronics. Compare prices, find store ratings and read Electronics reviews before you buy.
- WeaKnees features Tivo DVRs and upgrades for all Tivo models. Their site also has a FAQ, buying guide, troubleshooting, instructions and more.
What Do I Need So Tivo Will Work For Me?
Tivo works with virtually any program source: Cable box (digital or analog), satellite receiver, cable (with or without box), rooftop antenna, and even "rabbit ears." Tivo is compatible with most TV's, as well as any VCR or DVD player. You'll also need a standard phone line or broadband during initial setup, and for the daily updates. If you have broadband already, you can use this for your connection instead of your phone line. Tivo service claims it will never tie up your phone line, and will not interrupt if you are on the phone when it comes time to update. For those without a land line, Tivo can update through broadband connections.
More Tivo Features
You get more from Tivo than from your cable or satellite DVR service. Here's some of the features we haven't already named that most of the other TV services can't provide.
Tivo will work with all kinds of TV sources, including the old-fashioned rabbit ears. Cable DVR will only work with digital cable, satellite DVR will only work with satellite TV, DirectV DVR will only work with DirectTV. Tivo will search on title, actor, genre, or keyword. DirectTV DVR with Tivo will also, but cable and satellite are more limited. You can do your Tivo scheduling online, something none of the other services offer. Tivo lets you easily burn the program to DVD or download to your laptop, which is not available with the other services.
With Tivo, you can make use of most online services such as weather & traffic reports, purchase movie tickets, digital photos and music, while cable and satellite are more limited in what they can do.
Tivo service pricing begins at $16.95 per month with the 3-year plan, and goes up to $19.95 for a one year plan. Additionally, you can prepay for a year or more and save a little more money. You can get your Tivo DVR through Tivo when you sign up for the plan, or buy one from a retail source such as Circuit City. Tivo DVR's are pretty pricey compared to standard DVD players, but if you purchase one through the Tivo service, you'll find some pretty good savings on the standard models. Watch for sales and for rebates to save even more money.