TiVo TCD649180 Series2 180 Hour Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using this unit for a couple days now, and so far I have to say I'm very pleased.

Before purchasing this, I was using a satellite receiver with a dual TiVo DVR built into it.I loved how simple it was and I was kind of unsure about switching over to cable with a separate TiVo unit, but the ability to connect it to my PC is what ultimately drew me in (more on that later though).

Here is a summary of my review, if you would like more detailed thoughts feel free to read on.I'll try not to bore you too much.If you just want the bottom line, feel free to bypass my wall of text and skip down to the last section, Overall Satisfaction.:)

Packaging :: A+
Activation :: B-
Plan Pricing :: B+
Setup :: A+
TiVo Experience :: A
Customer Service :: A-
PC Connectivity :: A
Overall Satisfaction :: A+

Packaging (aka: Can I split a splitter?) :: A+
So I received the unit and opened it up, and for starters I was pretty impressed at the organization of the packaging.The basic installation poster was very easy to follow, the cables and items necessary for setup were neatly organized into separate bags, clearly labeled and such, it was nice to not have to suffer through any confusing instructions.One thing to note, the packaging contents does not list that it comes with a standard coaxial cable splitter (to use for the dual tuner), but it does.I bought one before I received the TiVo in preparation and didn't need it, don't make the same mistake I did!

Activation (aka: Deja Vu) :: B-
I went online to activate the TiVo service through their website and ran into my first problem.The website would accept my TiVo number (step 1) and ask my personal information (step 2), I'd click "next" and it would go right back to asking for my TiVo number (step 1!).I tried a couple of times to activate it over the internet but it would not work, so I had to call the phone number (talk to a real person, OH NO!).Upon calling, the wait time was a little longer than I would have liked, but once I got to an associate the process was very simple and took very little time.They activated my TiVo and set me up with my pricing plan which brings me to...

Activation (aka: Deja Vu) :: B-
...Just kidding.

Plan Pricing (aka: Where'd my money go?) :: B+
The only gripe I have about the pricing is that it's a little more than what I was paying before.Still, it seems like the standalone TiVo is more robust and so I'll put up the extra money for it.I won't get into the numbers though, because I think that's against the guidelines here.

Setup (aka: The TiVo bone's connected to the cable bone) :: A+
As I stated earlier, the basic setup poster that comes with the TiVo is very easy to follow.Setup for me was easy, but I was also coming from a very similar setup and am somewhat savvy about this sort of thing.My wife, being not so savvy, may have had a harder time, but I'm not convinced it would have been impossible for her.All you really have to do is hook up the TiVo in between your cable signal (basic and/or from the cable box) and your TV (or VCR if you want to be able to tape stuff from your TiVo).

TiVo Experience (aka: What ... he .... say?) :: A(overall)
So, everything's all set, I turn everything on, everything seems to be working!After looking around for a few minutes, I notice two things that are off...
1) The clock is wrong.
2) The sound is cutting in and out.
After checking all connections and determining that the sound issue is most likely something within the TiVo, I call customer service... (Oh No!!Another real person!!)...we'll get back to my TiVo experience in a moment...

Customer Service (aka: Crappy hold music...) :: A-
I call up customer service and again have to wait a long time to talk to someone.Once they get on the phone though, I get to talk to a very pleasant and helpful person.They quickly determine that the time issue is only related to the daylight saving time change and will fix itself after updating the TiVo (Go to Messages & Settings > Setting > Phone & Network > Connect; note: you may have to, as in my case, do this multiple times as it may need to install multiple updates.When you go back in there, keep an eye on the upper left where it tells you the status of the last connection, it may say "Pending Restart" in which case you will need to restart the TiVo to apply the update.To restart the TiVo go to Messages & Settings > Restart or Reset System > Restart the DVR).They also suggest that the audio problem may just require a restart of the TiVo system to fix.I restarted the system and the audio problem went away completely, so I'm not sure what was going on there.They did make a record of the problem and he was very reassuring that if I ever experienced the problem again they would exchange the TiVo unit right away.With my two problems fixed (updates and restarting took care of them both, keep that in mind if you experience similar problems), I go back to my TiVo Experience...

TiVo Experience - Part Deux
So back to my experience with my now fully operational, correct time telling, solid audio pumping TiVo.It takes me a while to go through and change all my settings (favorite channels, TV guide display, make a couple of season passes, etc.).Having come from a satellite receiver with TiVo built in, I feel right at home, although I do notice a few differences.
1) There's no button to go directly into your Now Playing list on my new TiVo remote (there was on my satellite TiVo remote), the quickest way is to press the TiVo button on top twice in a row...not a big deal, but I was so used to that button... I sure will miss it...
2) The channel changing for channels only available through the cable box has a delay to it.And here is a very important point to note.**** If at all possible, do not use the IR connector to change your cable box's channels. ****I received a cable box without a serial port on the back and brought it in to my cable service provider and requested to trade it for one that did.They were happy to do so, and I would suggest you try the same if possible.I've had experience with my father's TiVo using the IR changer and it was awful (He'd miss shows that he scheduled to record because the darn thing wouldn't work.We tried everything to get it to work right but it never did.).The Serial connection is so much more reliable, and changing a channel that is part of your basic cable is instant.But when the TiVo has to go to the cable box, it takes about 1-2 seconds to actually get there.Not too bad, but noticeable to someone coming from a system that instantly changed to any channel.
Another interesting thing to note, at one point I was moving around all the menus, making selections, changing stuff, and realized that I had grabbed my old satellite TiVo remote by mistake.I had been using it for the past 10-20 minutes without ever realizing!And it WORKED without a hitch!So if you don't like the stock remote, I'm sure there's an option out there that may accommodate you.

PC Connectivity (aka: I can finally watch "The Office" in my cubicle at my office!) :: A
So that brings me to the main reason I switched my system over in the first place.Connecting this thing to my PC.I opted for the TiVo branded wireless adapter, as I already have a wireless router in my home.It had no problem seeing my home network, and after putting in my network's password (SECURE YOUR WIRELESS NETWORKS PEOPLE!!!!), it's off and running.I download and install TiVo Desktop (available at their website) onto my PC and suddenly I'm able to see all the recordings that are on my TiVo from my computer, and can also see all my music and photos that are on my PC from the TiVo!I can get Podcasts and the weather and even movie tickets right from my TiVo.I can copy TiVo shows over to my PSP and iPod (that requires you upgrade to TiVo Desktop Plus for a one-time fee of $24.95), it's a beautiful thing!I immediately start to transfer over a recording of Scrubs and...nothing...the wireless connection is interrupted.I never did get it working, I'm not sure if the issue was with my router or the wireless adapter, but I ended up just running an ethernet cable from my TiVo to my router and it works fine now.Some day I might try to get the wireless connection working again, but oh well.Something to keep in mind though if you decide to go wireless, you may want to be sure to invest in a good router and adapter.Overall Satisfaction (aka: THIS is what TV was meant to be!) :: A+
So this is what it all boils down to.After getting everything setup and running, I have to say I'm extremely pleased with it all.I, personally, am happy with the decision to move over from my satellite receiver with TiVo built in, to a standalone TiVo unit.To summarize the important things:

Positives
++ 180 hours of recording time, very nice
++ Dual-tuners (and I tried my best to mess them up, recording different shows, changing channels while something else was recording, they worked like a charm despite what I did to try to mess them up!)
++ What you can do with your PC is excellent
++ Season Passes, pausing live TV, fast-forwarding through commercials, instant replay...If you don't have these things you're really missing out!

Negatives
-- Couldn't the monthly prices be a little lower?(Just a little??)
-- TiVo: either cut down the time people wait on hold when they call you, or get better music!
-- Wireless connectivity of the TiVo to the PC was problematic...Read more›

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Product Description:

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.


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.



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 $16.95 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.

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