TiVo TCD649180 Series2 180 Hour Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder AWESOME – J. Wilson –
The best invention since the computer and bread. I can’t live without it. a MUST have for everyone. HOwever, TIVO charges to much for their service and they should ALWAYS offer a lifetime package instead of every now and then. HD needs to be cheaper so I will wait for that. My comcast box takes care of my HD programs.
This is my first TiVo or DVR of any kind. I really researched before I decided on this one, and I must say I can’t complain. Tivo is great and this one has lots of space to hold lots of movies/shows, and it is SUPER easy to use. Here’s a recap of what I think so far:
1. Setup – yes, it is easy. But not as easy as plug and play. There are lots of cords and steps. I am not a tech geek, but I do know how to follow directions, and I honestly ran into no problems setting up the first time. Comes with easy diagram to follow and everything you need. The only problem I had was adding my DVD player into the setup. I had the cable guy here for another reason and he offered to set it up for me. Well, an hour later and after splicing cords and adding splitters and switches, he had me “set up,” but when I went to record a show, the TiVo wouldn’t work. So I took the whole thing back apart (yes, every cord), and followed the easy diagram from TiVo and had it back up and running, WITHOUT his splitter and switch, in a few minutes (since I had done it before, it was much easier the second time around!). I even got my DVD player hooked up to the whole thing BY MYSELF… moral of the story: READ DIRECTIONS! If I had just looked it up in the TiVo manual in the first place, I wouldn’t have had this problem. I have my TiVo hooked up to the TV via coaxial cable, so the connection between your Tivo and DVD player needs to be via coaxial cable .. that was my mistake. Anyway, don’t expect it to take 10 minutes if you are not a big techie… it will take a good half hour or so to get it all set up and running.
2. TiVo vs. Cable Company’s DVR – I had heard that going through the cable company is cheaper and just as good. So I asked around. WHY Tivo? Well, first of all, the software is better. It’s just easier to navigate the Tivo. Also, Tivo doesn’t fail when it needs updates like their DVR. Last, your cable company doesn’t have Amazon Unbox. That is the coolest thing ever. You can rent OR buy movies via Amazon (super easy checkout… one click) and they download to your Tivo and you can watch them. Amazing invention. You must have a wireless connection to do this, which is ABSOLUTELY worth every penny. Someone got it right when they invented the Tivo wireless adapter … takes seconds to setup and works beautifully! You can also manage your recordings on your computer this way … a VERY cool feature.
3. Recording shows – Setting up recording is easy… you can either set up a show to record in the future, or while you’re watching hit the record button and it will do it right then and there. The Tivo also automatically records “suggestions” for you based on other shows you have recorded, which is really kinda cool. If you don’t like it, you just hit delete and it’s gone, no harm done. You can search for movies or shows based on a Wish List that you create. All the setup is easy, step-by-step, on-screen … my 5 year old has even figured it out. There are parental controls available, too. Just make sure when you set up a recording that your cable box is ON!!
4. Remote control – I have had no problems with this remote. It’s easy to use, fits in your hand easily, and has very logical positioning of buttons. I have to use the IR (infrared) setup for the remote to get signal to my cable box… it doesn’t look great for sure, and it partially blocks the clock… but it works just fine. There is a slight delay, but nothing annoying. I know I can call the cable company and ask for a box with the serial port, but I don’t want to see a cable guy for a while after the mess they left me with, so I will live with this setup for now!
OVERALL – Tivo is great. I would strongly recommend that you get the wireless adapter with this, though … it takes the Tivo from a 4 star product to a 5 star product. The price is high for Tivo and activation, but so far we use it A LOT and it has been worth it. TiV0: TCD649180 The world’s first, best, and easiest-to-use digital video recorder just got better. Now, record two shows at once! Only the TiVo service gives you the freedom to watch your favorite shows any time, anywhere.
The TiVo Series2 DT does something that only DirecTV TiVo users have enjoyed up till now–the ability to record two shows at once. This dual-tuner (DT) TiVo Series2 is the first standalone DVR that’s optimized for households with cable television. Now, you’ll never have to miss any of your favorite shows–even if they’re on at the same time. It also offers the same entertainment services as other TiVo Series2 DVRs, including digital music, digital photos, remote scheduling, and hassle-free favorites recording. All this and the famed luxury of being able to pause and view instant replays of live television, too. TiVo DVRs record television programming directly to an onboard digital ATA/IDE hard drive, eliminating the hassles of videotape (imprecise tape searching, head cleaning, steadily degrading picture, fuzzy sound, etc.).
This TiVo Series2 DT model (TCD649180) offers an amazing 180-hour recording capacity. It offers the ability to simultaneously record programming from two basic cable channels, or one basic cable channel and one digital cable channel. It also includes built-in Ethernet and USB ports, making it easier than ever to add the TiVo box to your home network. This enables you to take advantage of the TivoToGo feature, which allows you to transfer programs from the TiVo box to a Windows-based desktop or laptop PC so you can watch your favorite programs on the go or while others are watching live or recorded programing on the TV.
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The Series2 has a USB port and an Ethernet connection, offering users with home networks the ability to stream photos and music to their TiVo, or send programs from one TiVo to another. This connectivity also lets TiVo subscribers access exciting entertainment services through the TiVo Home Media Features, which consists of the TiVo Digital Music Player, TiVo Digital Photo Viewer, and Multi-Room Viewing. The TiVo Digital Music Player lets you enjoy your computer’s MP3 collection through your home entertainment sound system. Access and control your entire digital music collection via your TV; shuffle your music library by artist, album, or type of music; and create a custom playlist on your computer or use third-party software to develop playlists for every mood. The TiVo Digital Photo Viewer accesses digital photos stored on your computer and showcases them on your TV. View photo albums and slideshows on your TV screen, easily navigate, search, and view your computer’s entire digital photo library, play and control slideshows of photo albums, and use the remote control to select and view individual photos. |
TiVo’s Series2 DVR allows users to view photos and listen to music stored on their computer or other peripheral device. |
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With the Multi-Room Viewing feature, users can pause live TV and resume viewing in another room. |
Multi-Room Viewing is designed for households with two Series2 DVRs and allows you to record a show on one DVR and send it to another if your kids are watching in the living room, say, and you’re watching in the bedroom. You can also start a program on one DVR and pick up where you left off on your other DVR, as well as access the Now Playing list of a connected Series2 DVR at any time. You can also find and schedule recordings even when you’re away from home. With Online Scheduling, you’ll have the freedom to schedule programs from anywhere you have a computer with an Internet connection. Just sign in to TiVo Central Online to access the same recording options you have at home. Broadband connected Series2 subscribers can also view both their own photo slideshows and those shared by friends with Yahoo! Photos, and check local weather and traffic from Yahoo!. Additionally, subscribers can browse and buy movie tickets from Fandango, discover new music on Live365, and listen to entertaining podcasts. The Series2 DVR is compatible with virtually every television available. It also works with VCRs, TV antennas, cable systems, and satellite systems. A patented universal remote control simplifies program recording and controls multiple TiVos within the home (2 devices can share your existing phone line). Connections include: 3 video inputs and outputs (S-video, composite-video, and RF coaxial), 1 set of stereo RCA analog audio inputs, and 2 sets of stereo audio outputs. |
TiVo service requires a monthly subscription fee; currently .95 per month. Other benefits of TiVo service include but are by no means limited to: Season Pass (TiVo automatically finds and records every episode of a series all season long, even if the network schedule changes), WishList (TiVo finds and records programs that feature your favorite actor, director, team, or even topic), Smart Recording (TiVo detects line-up changes for you and suggests programs to match your interests, if desired), and Showcases (exclusive entertainment plus recording shortcuts from some of the most popular networks on TV). You can even train TiVo to autorecord more shows you’ll love when you use the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons on the supplied remote. Parental controls let you lock channels or set ratings limits based on content.
What’s in the Box
180-hour TiVo Series2 DT (TCD649180) DVR, user’s manual, 1 stereo analog audio/video interconnect, 1 RJ-11 phone “Y” splitter, 1 dual IR blaster cable, 1 AC power cord, one 25-foot RJ-11 telephone cable, 2 AA batteries, 1 RG-6 coaxial cable, 1 DB-9 serial cable, a user’s manual, and warranty information.
TiVo TCD649180 Series2 180 Hour Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder