TiVo TCD649080 Series2 80-Hour Dual-Tuner Digital Video Recorder

TIVO TCD649080 Tivo(R) Series2(TM) DT 80-Hour DVR Uses hard disk instead of video tape; Records from 2 basic cable channels or 1 basic cable and 1 digital cable channel; Up to 80-hour recording capacity; Ethernet and USB ports; Requires TiVo(R) subscription Tivo(R) Series2(TM) DT 80-Hour DVR

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 (TCD649080) offers an 80-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; see tivo.com for current rates. 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 80-hour TiVo Series2 DT (TCD649080) 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.

Got this to have at my son's house when I visit. I love it! They love it too! Easily set up, never miss a show again!!

We have Dish Network but have discontinued most of the regular and local channels ( get OTA HD for locals via antenna). I just subscribe to 2 international channels which are a must for my family. After building a computer PVR and loading Sage TV software I found out that it was very user unfriendly. Finally I got a good deal on Amazon ($185 with $150 rebate) and bit the bait. What the heck, it would only cost me $30 plus a year's programming ($129). Well I am hooked. My wife, who was very skeptical of it ( based on my previous attempts) was pleasantly surprised to see that it was so easy to program and watch events. The picture quality is very good. Sometimes a different program records but it may be due to Dish switching the programming in the last minute. If the disk gets full often I will buy a larger 500 G disk and replace it. It is fairly easy to do it. I might even consider purchasing lifetime programming if the 1st year goes without a hitch.

After spending years with Cox Communications DVRs (Motorola and then Scientific Atlanta) and dealing with all the problems they cause (not recording everything, not recording at all, crashing, dying etc.) we decided to try TiVo. I have yet to find a flaw with this piece of equipment. It records what its supposed to, when its supposed to. I love my new TiVo.

This is my third Tivo unit. After many years of faithful service, my second tivo started to give me trouble. Although both units have 80GB HDs in them, this new one features dual turners so I can record two shows at once. With the rebate that was in effect at the time of purchase, the final cost was $68.00. Considering it would have been over[...] to repair the other Tivo, this was a no brainer. Be aware that the series 2 Tivos cannot handle HDTV. If you have HDTV, you need to get the series 3 Tivo.

I am so grateful for the reviews posted here that warned me that set-up could be a nightmare. Since I was prepared, I wasn't surprised when it took four calls to tech support to get wired up and running. The first call took almost an hour, which got me connected through a receiver so that I could use my speakers, not my TV's speakers. I was treated with great patience and kindness, despite my extreme lack of competence with this type of thing. The next two calls (to get the TIVO wireless USB adapter connected to the internet) were much less helpful, but the fourth call set everything straight quickly. As for TIVO itself, now that I have a few weeks under my belt, it is easy to program, and a quantum leap into the 21st century for us.