TiVo

So last night I took the plunge and bought a TiVo, and much to my dismay - $600 later, I have a working TiVo. I guess I should have done my research to find out that you need to purchase their subscription ($12.95 per month, or $299 for the lifetime of the box) along with the actual hardware. Either way, the investment will pay off in the long run. I've already setup several "season passes" to record the shows I watch most of the time.

I am dissapointed, however, in how you need to set it up initially. The box said "broadband ready," however you need a land line to actually set the hardware up for the first time. Talk about a pain when you don't have one! I ended up hanging out with my girlfriend's uncle all night while the thing took its sweet time (1+ hour) to set everything up. However, after I bought a USB ethernet adapter (which sucks, because the TiVo should have this built in), and hooked up to my network when I got home...and voila! broadband connectivity.

Now, to actually record the quoted 92.5 hours of tv in basic quality...

Update: I was told to use "Medium Quality" to get the best picture for space (thanks Chris!), however that doesn't get me 80 hours...err, why do they lie! BTW - if you leave it in best quality, you're only going to get about 25 hours, not even close to the 80 quoted on the box.

Update 2: Another kind poster (thanks Oskar) noted that if your recording an action movie or something that has a lot of fast movement, use "high" or "best" quality.

8 Comments

  • I would advise against using basic quality. I think you'll be dismayed with the picture distortion you're going to get. I would upgrade your default level to Medium, which will drop your 90 hours down to about 60-65, but the picture is much much better.

  • Ahh, thanks for the advice. I didn't really know what to choose, so I just said, hey - 90 hours would be great!

  • Hey Matt, was thinking of getting a TIVO too but don't have a landline, only broadband, r u saying that u just need to get someone with a landline to let you set it up the first time and your good to go?

  • That is correct, Alex. The initial guided setup requires a land line, however for the weekly updates you can set it up to use your broadband connection. I bought the Linksys USB200M adapter, and it works without a hitch.

  • Matt - don't know what you tend to watch - but if it's soap operas, Basic or Medium will be fine. If you intend to watch ANY fast moving action, go with High or Best or you'll regret not watching it live...

  • Hey, soaps - no way! However, I'll keep that in mind too, but most of the time its just general tv.

  • I really hope you did *not* get the lifetime service. When I had my first TiVo that's what I got. When I upgraded to a better TiVo I discovered to my dismay that the lifetime service is tied to that particular box! It does not transfer. I gave my first TiVo to a relative, who is now happily enjoying "lifetime" free service, while I am paying per-month with my new TiVo. Sigh. I guess I'll move up to a Media Center PC one of these days...

  • I agree that lifetime is worth it (it keeps its value on eBay as well). I also expect that you will get to like your TiVo much more as time goes on and you actually start forgetting what commercials and live TV look like.

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