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| Date Reviewed: 10/02/2007 |
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Strengths: Great TiVo user interface, can record HD shows with an OTA (over the air) antenna, works with Slingbox
Weaknesses: Sometimes it lags when you go through menus (not a major complaint), only 20 hours of HD content, not compatible with Satellite HD service (DirecTV, Dish Network, etc).
Summary: 2007-10-08 22:23:04 I have had this TiVo for a week and I absolutely love it. If you have an HDTV and you're in the market looking for HD DVR, this is a great option for you.
It's almost the same as the more expensive Series3 HD TiVo that was released earlier. This one (TiVo HD) has a smaller hard drive, no OLED screen, and regular (non-glow) TiVo remote. All of these are non-factors to me. There is an e-sata port on the back and you can upgrade the hard drive to up to 1TB of external storage for recording yoru shows. The port is not officially supported by TiVo yet; if I recall correctly the manual states that the e-sata port will be usable in the future. But, there is a TiVo hack that does not require opening up the box that allows you to use the e-sata port.
The TiVo is quiet and it replaced my Toshiba TiVo RS-TX20 Series 2. I do not subsribe to any cable HD service, just the normal cable channels. However, I am able to record HD shows by using an OTA antenna. The TiVo even goes online and gets TV scheduling for the shows that are aired using an antenna (this is done by entering your zip code).
The TiVo HD also works with the Slingbox Pro if you have the Slingbox HD Connect.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for an HD TiVo/DVR. There really isn't the need to buy the more expensive Series3 that cost almost twice as much (unless you have the money to burn).
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| Date Reviewed: 11/08/2007 |
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Strengths: HD Picture Quality, Ability to puase live TV, Record 2 HD shows while watching a recorded show, ff through commercials, Amazon Unbox, expandable, MyTIVO Desktop, etc.
Weaknesses: Price, No Cable Pay per view access
Summary: I absolutely love my TivoHD! Tivo just upgraded my software so I can transfer shows to other Tivo's in my house, or to my computer. This box now has all the functionality of previous Tivo's. But this box records HD and allows you to add an external eSATA hard drive for additional storage. Tivo Update 9.2 is also faster than the original software that came with it. This means the menus are more responsive. This was a weakness prior to this free automatic update from Tivo. I personally really like the fact that this uses cable cards and I don't need a box from my cable company.
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| Date Reviewed: 10/22/2007 |
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Strengths: CableCARD compatible, combining the best DVR solution with beautiful HD!
Weaknesses: Still no multi-room viewing or TiVoToGo, but coming soon!
Summary: Anyone who has ever used a TiVo knows that it's easily the best DVR on the market when it comes to ease of use. The TiVo HD is another fine example of how far ahead of the competition TiVo really is. I picked up a TiVo HD to augment the Series3 I purchased last year, and to transfer the lone remaining product lifetime subscription I had on a Series2. With the promist of multi-room viewing and TiVoToGo coming in November, it's the perfect time to make the full switch to HD! If you're currently suffering with a cable company-provided DVR, suffer no longer! Pick up a TiVo HD, have your cable company slap a couple CableCARDs in it, and enjoy all the world-class features TiVo offers, now in HD.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/28/2008 |
- bobprice
from MN
- Member Since:
Jan 2005
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Strengths: Easy setup very intuitive. Great user interface.
Weaknesses: I have been a bit hamhanded with the remote that came with it. I'll buy the lighted one. The channels seize up once every few weeks and I have to unplug and reboot to fix it.
Summary: I bought this Hd TiVo 2 months ago and have had no problems. The setup was easy with the usb wireless connecting automatically to my network and updating the machine. I'll never use vhs again. Easy to go to TiVo and rig up favorites that record each week only when they are new episodes. Nice to have HD instead of the analog dual tuner it replaced. Easy to learn for this geezer.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/03/2007 |
- jpbloom55
- Member Since:
Jun 2007
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Reviews
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Strengths: Can finally playback HD programming, records HD from a variety of sources, dual tuner, same awesome interface that keeps TiVo lovers coming back for more!
Weaknesses: Much slower than previous versions I've owned, only one set of outputs, still bugs with multi-room viewing.
Summary: This is my third TiVo box, and I've been a loyal user for about 5 years now. I've always loved the ease of use as well as the intuitive interface and features of TiVo. I firmly believe that anyone who uses TiVo will never go back--either to VCR or to cable company DVR's...they're simply inadequate. Anyway, regarding the TiVo HD, I've been wanting to record in HD for a long time now, as the majority of programming I watch is available in the format, but I never felt that I could afford the previous "Series 3" boxes which are more expensive and require a new activation for rebates. As such, I waited for the right time to buy this "lite," less expensive HD model, which doesn't have the hassle of rebates. This way, I could simply transfer service over to it from one of my old boxes--I'm glad I did!!!
As I noted above, this box can record HD from a variety of sources--OTA antenna, straight from the wall after a channel scan (if your cable company transmits local channels in this manner--eg, 9-1, 9-2), and also on a digital "tier" with Cablecards. The picture is awesome, and I'm only using the included Component cables. Set-up (sans cablecards) is quick and straightforward, as it is with all TiVo's. The dual tuner is awesome too--I've had a Series 2 Dual Tuner box for a year now, and couldn't live without the ability to record two shows at once.
As for drawbacks, there are a few. The box is noticeably slower than previous ones I've owned--even after updating it. This means that getting to and from menus take a little longer--roughly a second or two--and switching from menu-view to live TV (or tuning channels) takes a second as well. This was disappointing, but I can live with it. I was also disappointed in the fact that this box only has one set of outputs, unless one wishes to use the optical audio output--which I do not. As such, you can really only hook your box into one component--or straight into your TV--if you're going to use the A/V audio outputs, which the majority of people do. I'm probably going to buy some piggyback cables. This is a drawback for people such as myself who have had previous boxes hooked both straight into my set, as well as into my DVD recorder for transferring programs to DVD. One final drawback is the Cablecard feature. I haven't had mine installed yet (that happens tonight), but I've read horror stories in various places about the process. I wish TiVo would've given us the OPTION of using Cablecards or a set-top-box, as in the future. I don't see why it would've been so hard to both build in CableCard capability as well as a set of HD inputs and an IR blaster to control a STB. Given the choice, I would've opted for the STB, as I'd rather not fiddle around with cable company install of these very unreliable CableCards...oh well...only time will tell.
All in all, Tivo HD is an awesome product that should serve me well!
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| Date Reviewed: 11/19/2007 |
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Strengths: High Def DVR, Pause Live TV, Fast Forward Thru Commercials, Great Interface, Can Record HD OTA, Quiet System,
Weaknesses: Price
Summary: If you can handle the price, then you're gonna love this system.
Tivo has a great, user-friendly interface. Dual Tuner was a necessity for me (wish they made a Triple Tuner Unit). The quality of it's recordings are remarkable. Whether it is recording your cable company's HD Feed or free OTA signals, it's beautful.
This unit has a load of features, including transferring shows to your computer or another TV for viewing. The eSata port provides the ability to easily expand your hard drive to hold more shows than you'll ever need.
Setup is a breeze. The only tricky part may be your cable company. Some technicians are clueless when it comes to installing cable cards. Just make sure to tell them to bring a few extra in case some are defective. Also, have the included pamphlet available for the tech to follow when installing them (Cable Cards enable your Tivo to receive your cable company's premium channels. These arent required, they simply add to the channel lineup).
Last of all, kick back and let TIVO take control of your TV!
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| Date Reviewed: 10/19/2007 |
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Strengths: Ease-of-use; much better than Comcast DVR (both the box and the service); records great HD quality
Weaknesses: No front-panel controls (requires the remote); but the remote from my old TiVo won't work with it, although it looks identical; profile is a bit tall for my cabinet.
Summary: I've been waiting for this TiVo box for a couple years. I bought this unit for about $260 online, including shipping. Not exactly cheap, but better than the old $700 TiVo HD box, and better than paying $300 for this box in the stores! We used to have TiVo, but when we bought our HD TV we had to use the Comcast HD DVR because the old HD TiVo box was way too expensive. This one is great, and it does exactly what we wanted it to, for much less. Thanks for finally listening to your customers, TiVo!
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| Date Reviewed: 01/02/2008 |
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Strengths: Inexpensive, will take M-cablecards
Weaknesses: Terrible remote control
Summary: This is a great compromise if you want a TIVO dvr. It is not their best HD unit but it is half that unit's price. The remote control it comes with is garbage, I recommend upgrading to a TIVO GLO remote immediately, night and day !! This HD model also does not come with a HDMI cable or telephone splitter, not a big deal compared to paying twice the price for the premium unit. If you have never used TIVO HD before, buy this, you will love it !!
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| Date Reviewed: 12/17/2007 |
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Strengths: Ability to use HDMI cables
Ethernet slot in back
Weaknesses: No huge software advantage
slower than the series 2 boxes
Summary: My wife and I had a Series 2 unit for about a year and a half and come to love it and couldn't imagine life without Tivo. We live in Indianapolis which has great "over the air" High Def. channels so we bought a new Samsung HD Tivo and decided to get this HD Tivo.
The good news is, I didn't need a cablecard from Comcast,just a $5 antenna to pull the HD channels. Tivo found all our channel and even tells us when we recorded a show in "HD".
The "kinda" bad news is that the Tivo software is the same with the Series 2, nothing really new....except that it is much slower than our series 2 which changing channels and accessing the Tivo menu. My guess is because Tivo is viewing both the antenna channels and cable channels.
Overall, this was a nice box to have since we can now get HD channels plus the abiliy to use a HDMI cable and a Ethernet cable in the back.
My advice to anyone with a series 2 to stay with their box until it dies.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/10/2007 |
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Strengths: Record 2 HD shows simulataneously, while watching a third already recorded show.
Weaknesses: TIVO and satellite don't work together.
Summary: This model makes HD recording more affordable and has all the features you could ask for in a DVR. The TIVO interface is the best in the business. You can record both over the air and cable broadcasts with ease. You can download movies from Amazon unbox and music videos from Music Choice.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/05/2007 |
- DaffyDuck
- Member Since:
Mar 2006
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Strengths: look, easiness and user friendliness, cable cards- M card compatible, HD recording, hdmi output, record two showings at the same time
Weaknesses: small hard drive, no wireless built in, price for subscription or lifetime subscription price, remote could use work.
Summary: I got this so I would not have to get an additional box from my cable provider which costs about an additional $8 per month. I thought, why not get this and have it so I subtract 8 from this every month saving costs since my cable provider provides M-cable cards for free (the first one). It turned out to work so very well. Great HDTV experience with my sharp 46' (64u model). I get all the HD channels plus digital, this can record two things at the same time (Even if both are HD) as well as allowing me to watch something recorded or something that is recorded while it records two shows. Or I can watch whatever I want plus it can still be recording. Great value, especially worth it if you can do it like I did and get lifetime on it. The service will pay for itself within 4 years (even when I use Net present value for the TOTAL cost).
Also, get the tivo wireless adapter (they are like $30)... save yourself the headache of finding the right one that is compatible as well as functions well like the tivo branded adapter.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/28/2007 |
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Strengths: Great TiVo functionality; Dual HD tuner; easy to install and use; great price - much cheaper than the Series 3 TiVo
Weaknesses: Only records 20 hours of HD content; does not include HDMI cable
Summary: The best DVR in the business just got better! The new TiVo HD does almost everything the Series 3 Tivo does for a whole lot less money. This thing blows away my Time Warner DVR. It's so much easier to use and holds more programming, too. They have now activated TiVo to go and multi-room viewing funtionality. Plus, you can download movies from Amazon unbox. Great buy!
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| Date Reviewed: 11/27/2007 |
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 Works but kinda slow Strengths: Inexpensive, better User Experience than Cable PVR
Weaknesses: Setting up w/ cable was a huge pain
Summary: Bought this at amazon for $250, installed quickly until I had to get it working with the digital cable from Millenimum. What a pain! Had to schedule an appointment to get the cable cards, and they charged me $30 to come out to install them. Worse yet, I had to take a day off as they don't really come out on weekends, and had to waste the entire day waiting around for the cable guy to come. Cable companies are doing everything possible from getting you to switch to Tivo...and this sucks.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/27/2007 |
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Strengths: Dual HD tuners; easy to use; no need for cable box; great TiVo user interface
Weaknesses: only records 20 hours of HD programming, but an external eSata drive can remedy that. can't use on-demand
Summary: I bought this to replace my crappy comcast DVR. Not only is this much more user-friendly and easier to program, but it also has a larger hard drive than Comcast's DVR. The cable card installation was a snap. Can also download movies from amazon.com's Unbox service. This is a great buy and well worth the $$.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/21/2007 |
- customervalued
from NY
- Member Since:
Feb 2004
View Member's:
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Strengths: Price, quality, expandable
Weaknesses: Monthly or prepaid plans rate continue to increase.
Summary: Once you go tivo its hard to use any other dvrs. Despite the pricey monthly fees, the subscriber base is increasing. Finally a HD tivo at a more obtainable price then the S3. The features are very similar to the S3 and the atsc tuner uses a 5th generation chipset for quick and strong tuner response.
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