TiVo Series2 DT (80-hours)

April 25, 2006 01:12
Mediocre
1.0/5
Once again all the talk and hype has been centered on Tivo's networking abilities, but us Mac users are left in the dust. After over a year and a half of Windows users having the Tivo To Go feature (downloading TV from Tivo to computer) all us Mac users have is more empty promises.

Never mind the fact that it took over a year for them to build a basic client (music & photo sharing only) to support OS X 10.4. Finally within the last month they put out such a client with two major omissions. First off still no Tivo To Go. Second and more importantly, even though this software was released MONTHS after the Intel Macs rolled out, you can not run the software even using Rosetta.

Basically if you own a Mac don't buy a Tivo until they decide that we are good enough to release software to.

- orlandomacgeek

October 27, 2006 12:27

4.0/5
I can't believe that some people are giving this product scores of 3s and 2s, mainly citing its inability to play HD content as a huge downfall.

There is a TiVo available that allows HD content. This is for the basic home user who is watching television from your run of the mill coaxial input.

I find that it works perfectly for what I need.

I would love to see an improved TiVo Desktop for transferring programs to and from the box though. As of right now, it's a little limited.

- Chebwa-18761586766062992803356

April 25, 2006 04:41

3.0/5
Whoever is running TiVo was really behind the curve when deciding to go to HDTV. Will be returning to TiVo when high definition is included. Unfortunately that seems to be October or later. I'm waiting. The comcast remote and options are a nightmare.

- paulF5A

December 22, 2006 02:49

4.0/5
Background: I'm new to Tivo and DVR's in general, but I'm a tech savvy person and I've built many computers from scratch.

Good: The Tivo does what it is advertised to do. Best of all it does it in a simple, straighforward way, but doesn't leave out the ability to get a little fancy with features like Tivo-to-go, internet scheduling, and upgrades. The reason I bought Tivo vs. a Media Center PC was cost and simplicity. Tivo is a lot cheaper, even with the subscription service and it was something my wife and kids could quickly learn. This unit does not support HDTV, but I haven't jumped on the HD bandwagon yet so I wasn't worried. Additionally, when I decide to switch to HD, Tivo has HD boxes available and I can port my service to the new box. The system comes with a large variety of cabling so you shouldn't need to make a second trip for cables.

Bad: Tivo's website is a little rough around the edges and could stand to be revamped. The online scheduling area isn't as easy as it should be. The remote control feels nice in your hand, but using it is somewhat clumsy; the numbers are below the balance point and are a little too small for your thumb, the buttons lack sensitivity and must be pushed down all the way in order to work them, and some buttons are silkscreened on the button face (white on grey) making them hard to read.

Ultimately I'm happy with the product and I consider it to be a good value... purchased as a holiday sale for about 70% off and your 3rd year free.

- blueOrbit

April 25, 2006 05:18

3.0/5
I have worked with many Tivos and I can say they are very good products. I would like to see HDTV come to Tivo. I like the product, but for it to survive, it needs to be able to support all the new feature of the new HDTVs today. Otherwise, your better off building a media center PC that can record HD (that is with a HD capture card).

- Stargate199

February 24, 2008 07:33

5.0/5
Incredibly easy to set up. When it arrived in the mail, I waited until I had an evening with at least 3 hours to devote to setting it up. I also fully expected that it would not work on the first try, that I would get something wrong or that the instructions would be difficult to follow. WRONG!

My Tivo is the simplest electronic device I have ever set up and it worked perfectly immediately. It was far less frustrating to set up than my DVD player, and does far, far more. In less than one hour, I was being wowed by its incredible features. It far surpasses my expectations.

I wish I had discovered TIVO far sooner!

- chiptyipper

October 21, 2007 10:04
Good
1.5/5
TiVo's corporate philosophy is nonsensical and frustrating. The Series2's networking features are cutting-edge, but the box is by no means a true dual tuner, as satellite subscribers will need 2 of these boxes to tape 2 shows at once. But to be fair, with rebates, multi-box discounts etc., this option isn't half bad b/c users can access either box and re-route recorded content via the local network, not to mention easily offload recorded content.

But the Series2 has a fatal flaw that surprisingly even CNET's editors neglect to mention:

No digital audio output.

That means *NO* Dolby 5.1 (or better) feed for home theater sound systems, only stereo surround sound fakery. How can any home theater enthusiast take this box seriously?

With true broadband networking, the TiVo Series2 is brain candy for the creative technophile. But that same customer is left shaking his or her head in disbelief at a 'dual-tuner' DVR with just one contemporary tuner, and the audio jacks of a cassette tape deck.

- txj118

April 30, 2007 01:36

4.5/5
I purchased two tivos for x-mas to get rid of the cable companies dvr. We love the easy setup and user friendly remote.

The ability to record two shows at once is great. The network allows us to see programs recorded on the tivo in another room on so we can share programs. The network also connects the Tivo's to our computer to use Tivo To Go for downloads to a portable device.

The only thing I would like is a reminder that a program is scheduled to begin on another channel like the cable company's dvr offered. Especially if I just want to watch the program and without recording.

- Kriskrosb

April 25, 2007 06:19

4.5/5

- Tngilbert1s

April 14, 2007 05:27

4.5/5
I have owned Tivo's since the first one came out. I bought the series two 40 hour and when the new dual tuner came out I just had to have it. I love the fact that I can record two shows at once. I no longer have have to choose between shows to record now. Unlike the new Series 3 you can still network your Tivo's to your computer and use Tivo To Go to download to a portable device.

- eternity21