Product Description TiVo HD is a smart addition to any high-definition TV, combining the clarity of high definition with the smart, easy-to-use TiVo Service. It works with any cable set-up. It connects to any home network, so you get access to the best of both broadcast and broadband content. It downloads the latest movies straight from the Internet to your living room. It can pause, rewind, and slow-motion your favorite moments with razor-sharp HD clarity. Plus, TiVo HD connects to virtually any cable service via CableCARDs1, so it replaces your existing cable box.
TiVo HD Features Search for HD movies and sports: With our intelligent search features, you can easily find a specific director, actor, player, or team among the world of both broadcast and broadband content. Prefer to see a movie in high definition? Do a WishListTM search and the TiVo service will automatically record the HD version and place it in your Now Playing List.
Record movies in HD: When recording with TiVo HD, you have the option of capturing shows in standard or high definition. Plus, when you play them back, you can easily pause or rewind HD instant replays without ever sacrificing their original razor-sharp HD resolution.
Download movies from the Internet: Don't see any great movies in your cable program guide? You can easily select a classic or new release from the world's largest movie library, order them with a click of your remote control, and have them downloaded directly to your TiVo box.
Access your music library with the remote: When you connect your TiVo DVR to your home network, your HDTV can connect right to millions of songs and playlists available over the Internet. You can now enjoy digital music on the best sound system in the house.
Schedule an HD premiere: With TiVo, you can do your TV scheduling from any computer when you are away from home. Log onto TiVo.com, click on a show, and you're done.
I love my Tivo and Tivo HD is even better!December 3, 2008 Great product. I've been a Tivo subscriber for years and I just finally made the transition to Tivo HD and I haven't looked back since. The recorded video clarity is wonderful and they've added some extra features as well. My only complaint is the 'Closed Captioning' feature. It is a pain to turn on and off because it takes so many steps to do so.
I love my TIVO HDDecember 1, 2008 I know most cable companies have started offering DVRs with their service (including Charter, which I have), but there is just something I love about my TIVO. I upgraded to the HD unit so that I could use both cable and an antenna, since Charter doesn't offer HD service for all of the local channels. So far it works great!
Be aware that TIVO HD does NOT use a cable box!! If you have digital cable (usually channels 100 and above), premium channels, or HD cable, you need to call your cable company and lease a CableCard. You cannot hook your cable box to the TIVO HD - it will not recognize the signals for anything beyond the basic analog channels. Also, if you use digital features like Video On Demand or pay-per-view, those won't work without a cable box. It is best to contact your cable provider to verify what you will need if you get this TIVO HD.
Moving on to the unit....I like that I can set it to change the output resolution automatically (based on the video source) or set it to static resolutions. The remote also allows you to change the aspect on the fly without having to use your TV's display controls. It displays hi-def resolutions fantastically, but remember that you have to have HD signal for it to display in HD (not just digital signals).
When I first hooked it up and got everything setup, it seemed to have a few problems when changing channels - it would display a brief "searching for signal" message (usually just a few seconds). After about 4 days, the service downloaded the latest update and now everything seems to be working correctly, with no delays.
Another caveat...I'm using it with an HDMI cable and when I set the TIVO to allow low sounds (the little 'doodoop' noise it makes when you use the DVR functions on the remote), it causes an interruption in the audio for whatever I am watching at that moment. I believe this has to do with the way HDMI cables handle audio signals and is not related to the TIVO itself, so it probably wouldn't have been a problem using component cables. I just set the TIVO audio control to silent and it doesn't interfere anymore.
The other reason I wanted to upgrade to HD is for the new Netflix streaming video feature. It hasn't started yet (it launches in December), but I can use both Amazon and Jaman to rent movies, TV shows, etc. I prefer this to the cable company's Video On Demand, which requires a cable box and doesn't offer as much variety. When the Netflix is added, TIVO will completely smoke the cable company offerings in this regard!!
Overall, I am very happy that I upgraded to the TIVO Series 3 HD!!
Very UnreliableNovember 22, 2008 3 out of 6 found this review helpful
Ages ago I owned a Replay TV. I loved it, but, I wanted to be able to record HD and more video, so I bought a Media Center PC. The PC was kind of quirky due to Windows limitations (couldn't play back DVD's over component video, for instance), so I decided to give this a try.
The quality of video is really great, but, this is probably the most unreliable home theater product I have ever owned. It crashes AT LEAST once a day, for no apparent reason. And there is no power off button, so I have to unplug it, wait a few seconds and then plug it back in. And it takes forever to reboot.
The other thing that really annoys me is all the advertising. I pay about $10/month for service and there are tons of ads in the menus. WHAT???
It is great that other services like Rhapsody and Amazon Unbox are integrated. But, how do you archive the video you purchase or record? I guess you could use Tivo to go, but good luck. I've never had it work EVER on my laptop that is only a few months old.
I would NEVER EVER buy this again, but, now I'm stuck with it and I prepaid for a year of service.
Apple TV combined with Eye TV for the Mac or a cheap USB tv tuner on the PC, is a way better option, plus the recordings go into iTunes/iPod/iPhone pretty easily.
Buyers BewareNovember 22, 2008 3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I knew about the subscription service but I was surprised to find out that 802.11g connection only works with their network adaptor. I spent another $60 for the adapter. Everything was going well until I found out that Tivo wasn't picking up some of the HD channels that I was receiving on my cable. We decided to return it & cancel the subscription since it came with 30 day cancelation policy. I'm on the phone waiting for 50 mins or so trying to cancel. The firt time I called, the call was just simply disconnected after 20 mins. I'm very disappointed with the way they do business. I'll see how many product reviews I can submit before they finally answer the phone.
TiVo - Love / Hate RelationshipNovember 19, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Ok - here goes ! First - The Love: *TiVo's best feature- its great being able to watching programs on "your" schedule and not the "TV program" schedule. *Skipping thru the junk and commercials is heaven. You can watch 2 or 3 programs using TiVo in the same time you watch one live show. *Menus are easy to use and it's "smart" ! TiVo can find your programs, advise if you have recording conflicts, has a program recommendation feature based on your preferences, can download movies from Amazon and Netflix, watch You Tube, and a whole list of great feature that is growing. *Dual channel HD is very nice and Tivo is addictive ! It will drive you nuts to have to watch a "live" program once your use to Tivo and you will soon be buying another unit once the other member of the family horde in on "your TiVo" - lol.
Now the Hate: *DO NOT purchase the lifetime subscription service !! Unless you're a addicted gambler or a fool - there is a very very good chance you will be parted from a huge (400.00) chunk of your wallet. The service subscription is for the life of the "unit" and --- TiVo reliability is abysmal !!! --- Some research on diff web forums as well as TiVo's 30 day replacement (no charge) and 1 yr limited replacement (min of 40.00 charge) will attest to the this. *I bought 2 TiVo HD units and both have failed in the first year. I have read a lot of reviews about folks having units for years with no problems - but beware.. there are also a LOT of units that have had problems, been replaced multiple times, and or just become useless after the 1 year limited warranty is up. *And if you are thinking - Wow what a great rebate ! O-boy... another disaster ! Several calls to customer service, rebate service, tech service, and the janitor and you may finally get it. Let me know cause I'm still waiting.
As much as I love the Tivo when its working, I would not recommend this unit to anyone due to very lousy warranty and reliability. And PLEASE don't get sucked into buying a "lifetime" Tivo subscription unless you like just love to gamble or waste money !!!
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Onkyo HT-SR800 Black Home Theater System $335.96 - $499.00 from 2 stores. User rating:4.0 out of 5.
Neatly Covering All A/V Formats, Precisely Tailored for Your Home
When it comes to all-in-one home theater, the HT-SR800 has made a clean break from the pack. You're looking at packaged home theater that neatly integrates your high-definition entertainment and your HDTV through an HDMI channel that transports video with a resolution all the way up to 1080p. Ably supported by component video switching, the HT-SR800 will handle most of the A/V components or formats currently available, as well as the spectacular quality of high-definition discs. Also, reinforcing the convenience of matched components, this package is the first to use an Audyssey room-correction technology specifically designed for integrated systems. The options - XM Radio (including 5.1 surround sound radio with Neural Surround decoding) and iPod integration-can really extend your reach, making the HT-SR800 one of the more complete home theater packages available.
Special Features-
HDMI Pass Through (2in/1out , 1080P compatible) - A separate audio connection is necessary
"Audyssey 2EQ" Auto room calibration w/Microphone
XM and Sirius satellite radio ready
Sony HT-7100DH Home Theater System $349.95 - $378.08 from 2 stores. User rating:3.0 out of 5. Grab your popcorn and revel in the intense movie-watching experience that is the HT-7100DH home theater system. Take your entertainment to new aural heights as 900 watts of surround sound fill your room while you watch high definition DVD media or listen to XM satellite radio. For fast and easy setup, the HT-7100DH automatically calibrates the included speakers for an optimal sound field and the most dramatic effects. The Digital Media Port (DMP) is also great for when you want to listen to external sources like Bluetooth devices or Walkman music players in powerful 5.1 channel digital surround sound.
Bose 3-2-1 Home Theater System $948.00 - $999.98 from 2 stores. User rating:3.1 out of 5. If you've been looking for a surround sound solution that doesn't require hours of setup and creative ways to hide the wires, the search is over. Introducing the Bose 3-2-1 system, a revolutionary advancement in home entertainment that's much easier to live with. Designed to provide performance and simplicity unmatched by conventional component or all-in-one solutions, this system delights the ears and the eyes.
Five speakers are replaced by two. A stack of electronics is replaced by a single media center that includes an integrated DVD/CD player, AM/FM tuner, amplification and signal processing. A patented Acoustimass module hides easily in a corner or behind your furniture. And everything is easily connected with just three wires and a power cord, making setup a snap. The 3-2-1 system combines an Articulated Array speaker design with proprietary signal processing to give you much of that same performance. Hear the roar of a train from left to right from just two visible speakers positioned in the front of your room. Enjoy a spacious soundstage and lifelike surround effects whether you're watching the game, listening to a favorite CD or enjoying the latest on DVD.
Philips HTS3555 Home Theater System $146.95 - $250.81 from 2 stores. User rating:4.9 out of 5. This state-of-the-art digital home entertainment system delivers powerful surround sounds and a theater-like audio/video experience. The ultimate in both style and performance.PRODUCT FEATURES:Dock included for GoGear and iPod;USB Direct plays photos and music from USB flash drives;MP3 Line-in for music playback from Portable Media Players;1080i HDMI with high definition video upconversion;DTS, Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II surround sound;12-bit/108MHz video processing for sharp, natural images;DivX Ultra for enhanced playback of DivX media files;Plays CD, (S)VCD, DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R DL;Plays DivX, MP3, WMA and JPEG digital camera photos.
Bose 3-2-1 GS Series II Graphite Home Theater System $798.00 from 1 store. User rating:3.0 out of 5. The Bose 3ท2ท1 GS II DVD home entertainment system puts you at the center of exciting home theater with greater simplicity and fewer wires. Just two visible Gemstone speaker arrays - the smallest, most powerful 3ท2ท1 speakers - and a hideaway Acoustimass module deliver enhanced sound performance from almost anything you watch. Setup is simple: no center or rear speakers means no wiring to the back of your room. An elegant media center features a progressive scan DVD/CD player with AM/FM tuner. And an easy-to-use universal remote control is programmable to run most of your entertainment devices together with your system.
