TiVo TCD648250B Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder

From the reviews I have read, TiVo Series 3 HD is the best TV experience. So far, I agree. But be prepared to open your wallet. TiVo box, TiVo subscription, etc. My alternative was Comcast DVR, which most reviewers have panned, so I ruled it out early on. I have never personally tried Comcast DVR.

With the Series 3, you *absoLUTEly* need TWO CableCARDs, regardless of card type (MCard or SCard). This is cited from the TiVo website. So be prepared to fight with CC (and their 3rd party installers) about this requirement. AND pay a monthly CC fee for the second CableCARD. I have two MCards installed in my TiVo.

You will also need the DVR Expander, which is avail from amazon for $150. This is essentially a 500GB hard drive with a E-SATA interface. Triples your HD TiVo storage from 30 HD hours to 90 HD hours. Don't be confused by the SD recording hours. No one buys the Series 3 to record SD.

Oh yeah, don't forget the TiVo-specific wireless network adapter. This plugs into a USB port on the TiVo box. Connects to your home wireless network. If you only have a vague idea what I am talking about, sorry, I can't help you.

Also, you need to KEEP your existing cable converter box, if you want to keep On Demand. Things like Howard Stern are ONLY available On Demand. If you don't care about On Demand-specific stuff, my understanding is, you can use the TiVo box as your converter box, and save the box monthly fee. I am not clear on those details.

IT J.

I received this item from Amazon, unpacked it and plugged it in. The result was the the item would not even power on. I would have returned the unit to Amazon but I called TiVo and they mistakenly told me to return it to them. Unfortunately, I received a refurbished unit in return. This was not Amazon's fault, but the fact that the first unit received from them did not even power on is the reason for the low rating.

I have been without Tivo for over two years, and I have to say it has been painful. I relocated to Beijing two years ago and just moved back to the US this summer. When I left I didn't have an HD TV, but I bought one almost as soon as I returned. So I needed to upgrade to a new DVR, stupidly I assumed Comcast would have made some progress since I left and I ordered an HD DVR from them as part of my cable set-up.

When I lived in the US (Redmond, WA) I also used a Comcast DVR and Tivo. At that time Comcast, at least in my area, was doing a trial with Microsoft using their IPTV back-end infrastructure, and their DVR was based on that technology. It had a number of annoying bugs, but in general was quite useful. Since I have returned they appear to not be using Microsoft technology anymore and the new HD DVR from Comcast is just plan terrible.

It is probably one of the poorest designed UI's I have used in a long time. The guide is very nearly unusable, the DVR functionality is terrible. The only redeeming quality is the On Demand, but that really has nothing to do with the DVR. After suffering through the Comcast DVR for about two weeks I decided to get the Tivo Series 3. There seemed to be a lot of confusion online regarding which to pick Series 3 or HD.

The new Series 3 has worked great. The CableCard installation was a breeze, although I still need to get a second card so I can use dual tuners. When I went to Comcast they said I could only have one CableCard until I returned my DVR, which still has some shows on it I need to watch.

My only real complaint with the Series 3 has been some dropped audio, occasionally during a program (seems to happen more with HD) you will get a short period of video with no sound. Usually only last 3-5 seconds and not very often, so it really isn't a significant problem.

I would highly recommend getting a Series 3 Tivo if you watch even a small amount of TV.

I really miss with bleep-bleep sound when you fast forward. That was a Tivo audiomark and should never have been removed.

Even though I have to send units back a few times, even if Comcast can't get my crap straight, even though you crap out and make my recording life hell sometimes, I can't get away.

I love your graphics and cute little mascot. I haven't had any bad customer service and I still am OK with it.

You have changed my life. Sometimes we are over the moon. Sometimes, I am in the worst relationship ever. But you make me so happy, I can't get away.

After our local cable company "upgraded" the firmware on the DVR we were renting from them, it became obvious that it was time to look at alternatives.

After reading many reviews, I decided to get the Series3. It is an excellent DVR. TiVos in general have been covered in many reviews, but here are the big things I've noticed:

Plusses:

* Swivel Search is really nice and lets you find programs pretty easily.

* It learns what you like quickly and starts recording extra suggestions.

* The interface is fast except when you re-shuffle some of your recording priorities.

* The front display is excellent: It's really neat to be able to see what it's recording at all times.

Minues:

* Some programs (e.g. The Daily Show/Colbert Report) don't set the new/re-run status, and TiVo records the extraneous during the day showings.

* the cable company DVR had the ability to keep a program playing in a window(either live or recorded) while looking at the list of recorded programs. With recent firmware, the TiVo can do this with the program guide (as an overlay, not a window), but doesn't seem to do it with the Now Playing list or parts of the UI.

* My cable company won't let me have most of my HD channels unless I rent either their HD-DVR or their cheaper cable-box, despite the fact that I have the TiVo and CableCards rented.

Other things to note:
* It's a little disconcerting to not have an on/off switch.

* The TiVo-To-Go works, but it doesn't seem to send copyrighted shows (i.e. 99% of content) to the PC. The other way (PC -> TiVo) works great. This might be user error on my part, I haven't investigated thoroughly. It does automatically convert into iPod format and load it up onto my iPod.

Overall, it is an excellent device. It is a little expensive though.