Let me see if I can make sense as I explain this....

I have DirecTV (satellite) for my expanded stations, but rely on Cox Cable for my Basic/local stations. Since I have only one DirecTV receiver, whatever I watch on the "living room" television on satellite is what is seen on all the televisions in my apartment. The only way to change the channel is to physically change it on the living room television. Thus, the ReplayTV has to be hooked up to that television in order to record any shows that I am interested in.

I have not been able to figure out how to watch basic cable and record something on DirecTV since they are on two different sources. (In order for me to tune in my basic/local stations, I would require a new satellite dish and an additional receiver for my bedroom. Meaning more $$$, which as a college student I can't afford right now.) I also need an RF modulator for my TV since it is OLD and outdated.

As for my dad and his TiVO...he records EVERYTHING!! He is a History channel buff, plus he recorded the entire Tour de France. Until recently he and my mom lived in two separate houses that required them to commute on the weekends to see each other. *YUCK!!!* So, he just set it to record, and could watch "his" shows when he got home. Not only did he record the previous mentioned shows, but he recorded Sopranos, Track and Field meets. He loves it!!!! I loved mine also. Just haven't worked out some bugs yet since I have the minor problems in my apartment. It is great.

ReplayTV has the advantage of being able to share recorded shows over the internet if you missed a recording, something you can't do with TiVO. I found this website when I was such a hard time with ReplayTV's customer service...Check it out: AVS Forum: ReplayTV Forum
They were great for answering any questions that I had about my ReplayTV. In fact one person took it upon himself to help me get my ReplayTV hooked up when my father gave up!!

Hope I helped some...sorry about the length...

I heart TiVO. It is the best thing since...well, it's the best thing since forever!!

My question is, how easy is Tivo to use? Some of my friends have it (or maybe Replay TV...one of those) and they love it, but I am hesitant. It took me like 500 years to figure out how to set my VCR. Are these user friendly?

TiVo is pretty easy to use! Like anything, it may take a little practice but it's dead easy once you familiarize yourself with the screens.


My boyfriend and I had a TiVo console in our flat in England - I had to leave it there when I moved home. :( Doh! Anyway, his parents like watching lots of shows and are always switching the VCR channels and videotapes and such just to make sure they get everything they want on tape. I suggested to Neil that he buy one for his parents for Christmas. We were a little concerned since his parents are very technology illiterate. However, he set it up for them, showed them how to use the menu screens and the remote and now they've got it going great! Trust me, if they can do it, you can do it!


TiVo rocks and I miss not being able to record season passes for my favourite shows. Ah well, I'm thinking of getting my dad one for Christmas if I can afford it. I know he'd *love* it!


.....Kelly :)

I always wonder about Tivo. I'm glad someone asked about it.

Sorry 'bout suspecting you NotYourAverageBear. It's just natural to be a little suspect of folks with so few posts bringing up commercial products. I apologize.

I do think that TIVO is a great product. I'm a little ticked that the FCC is mandating that all digital broadcasts be copy protected. I'd kind of like to brun a DVD of certain things that I recorded, ya know? For private use?

I'm sure someone will find a way around it.;)

Thanks for the apology, water under the bridge man.

And thanks everyone for weighing in. Good to hear it is so easy to use, because I am a chronic "12:00" VCR blinking man.

Does anyone know more about how you can tape seasons of shows? I think I heard it can record things based on what genre or actor the show is

Thats a cinch. As far as seasons of shows, you just set up a season pass by searching for the show by name, and telling it to get a season pass...you can also tell it whether you want it to record first run shows only, or all showings, in which case, it will record that show on any channel, first run or rerun (for example, ER is shown on about 3 channels in my town--NBC, and then 2 other cable channels in syndication. We have it set up to record only new episodes).

As for recording based on an actor, one way is to search using the actor's name & then select anything coming up that he/she is in. Or you can create a "wish list" for that particular actor, and set it up to automatically record anything starring that actor without you having to go back and do a periodic name search.

After a while, TiVo will figure out what sorts of shows/actors you like, and it can record "TiVO Suggestions"...we have turned that feature off on ours, but I know people who use it to find new shows all the time.

TiVO Rocks!

whoa man, if i had tivo, i don't think i'd ever leave my sofa

Seriously. We have 3 of them & its a struggle to leave the house every day....

I agree, TiVo is the best!! I got rid of my VCR a long time ago and proudly haven't looked back. I'm a huge sports fan, so my favorite thing about TiVo is being able to pause, slo mo and replay in the middle of games! Nothing better than watching a good play over and over again.

Thanks for the response, navane. I guess once you get familiar with anything it is easy to use. Tivo does sound like it would be easier than my VCR - the only way things get taped there is if I am home to push Play/Record at the same time....and being home totally defeats the purpose of taping something to begin with! I may add Tivo to my Christmas list...

I work in the high end of the AV industry. If you are going to buy a DVR, ReplayTV is better than TiVo.