What is the difference between TIVO and just buying a DVR?

Question

Pros and cons of each, too?

Can anyone tell me, I thought I could go to Circuit City and just purchase a DVR and hook it up to the TV. Then I would own the DVR and it would work with the Comcast Cable, just like the one I rent from them now...and I avoid the monthly rental fee and I own the box. Is this true? Sounds like it doesn't work that way, that I have to pay a monthly fee to the cable company even if I go buy a DVR? (Thank you all so much for all the great answers so far)

Answer 1

Tivo is better. It has a better user interface, and better search features, etc. You can also schedule a recording via the internet from anywhere in the world. There are two downsides I see with tivo. First the fees are generally higher unless you can get a box with a lifetime subscription (tivo no longer sells lifetime service for their boxes). Second you must buy the box, and it will come with a very limited warranty. If anything should happen to the box out of warranty you will have to pay for it because you own it (not the cable company).

When you use a DVR from the cable company you are simply renting it from the cable company and they own it. But this is one of the few advantages you will have with the cable DVR. If there is ever a problem with the box, such as the hard drive is bad, the Cable company will replace your DVR free of charge..

To guy above: Tivo does support HD, HDMI outputs, and THX surround sound. It's the Series 3 and has been out for around 4 months.

Answer 2

Here you go. I started with a Tivo and had it for a few years. Then, when I bought a plasma I was forced to go with a Comcast DVR for the HDTV and HDMI support. If you are going to stick with the standard 70 cable channels, then go with Tivo. If you are going to go with digital cable and have an HDTV, then DVR is the way to go.

Tivo

Pros
1) Great user interface
2) Can transfer shows to a computer
3) Can search by keywords, category.
4) Suggests shows that you like based on rating system.

Cons
1) Costs $12.95/month
2) Only outputs up to s-video - bad video quality
3) No HD support
4) Only stereo supported

DVR

Pros
1) Supports HD
2) Costs $5/month
3) Outputs component and HDMI
4) Surround sound support

Cons
1) Horrible interface
2) Can only search by category, no keywords
3) No suggestions
4) Cannot transfer video to computer

Answer 3

TIVO is more expensive - and now requires subscription fee.
They are still better than DVRs, because of the numerous patents that cover their equipment as well as their operating system and human interface.

However, for my money ($3/month) I'll go with a Time Warner Cable DVR.

Answer 4

Series 2 TIVOs have 2 buffers. This means that you can have 2 channels of delayed live TV. The work around with this is to record one of the channels and watch the other.

You can't have too much hard drive!!!

If you are a serious geek, check out www.mythtv.org