Review by: Beth
Review date: 4/20/2001
Updated: 10/7/2005

"Now you can watch more television than you ever thought possible!"

LBT (life before TiVo) was meaningless and humdrum. I was given a TiVo by my sister for Christmas the first year they were available. Since then, I have become very attached to it. I'm on my second one. The first model stored 14 hours of video at the lowest quality. My new TiVo recorder stores up to 35 hours and is also a DirecTV receiver! I can go on vacation now, without missing an episode of The L Word.

TiVo is a digital recorder that connects to your television and whatever kind of service you receive (cable, satellite, etc.) Once the unit is installed (you will probably have to RTFM,) you need to activate your TiVo service, which is what gives the device the ability to retrieve programming information. This is what makes the recorder so incredibly fantastic.

Think of the TiVo as a computer with a hard drive and operating system with database software installed. You can search the database for programs to record by title, actor, keyword (like "lesbian") and more. One of the nicest features though, is the ability to record what's called a "season pass." If there's a specific program you like to watch, you can set up TiVo to record all of them (every day, every week, every occurrence).

The Personal Video Recorders are available from Philips, Sony and Hughes. There's a new model out on a limited basis for broadband users, but most units are connected to the server for updates via phone line and a built-in modem. Prices have fallen dramatically since I bought mine. (Isn't that way it always goes?) You can now pick up a box for as little as $49.95 during a special promotion.

The TiVo subscription is not free. It runs in the neighborhood of $10/month - or you can get a lifetime subscription for $299. These were the prices in effect when I bought my unit. I challenge anyone to find the subscription prices on the Web site! That was one thing keeping me from completing this review. Being the geek that I am, I don't consider it acceptable to have to pick up the phone to call.

There are now new models with broadband access available.  This way, all your updates can be done via the Internet, rather than by telephone.

Ok, I really have to go now. There are recorded programs I have to watch.

Web site: http://www.tivo.com