TiVo Vs. Comcast DVR Service

In this day and age, a DVR (digital video recorder) is absolutely essential. For those who may still be living in the 90s, a DVR is a device much like a VCR, except you don't have to be a rocket scientist to program it to record your favorite TV shows. For those who may still be living in the 50s, a TV (or television) is a widely used telecommunications device for receiving motion pictures and sound broadcast from a studio.

A DVR really doesn't do anything that you couldn't do with a VCR and a TV guide. However, a DVR makes it simple and convenient enough to be practical for the average person. Basically, you just tell it what shows to record and it handles the rest. It frees you from the need to watch live TV because at any time you can watch any show you've previously recorded (unless you've deleted it). If you want to watch live TV, you can pause it or do instant replays, then catch up to real time by fast-forwarding through the commercials.

TiVo was one of the first DVR brands. It was hugely popular when it debuted in 1999, and it remains so today. When I first heard of TiVo, I thought "yeah, that's nice." A few years later, it dawned on me how cool it really was, and I decided to get it for my parents. When I decided to get a DVR for myself, I couldn't go with TiVo because it required a phone line and I didn't have one (back then, it was almost unheard-of outside of Los Angeles to go all-cellular). I went with the DVR and service offered by my cable provider, Comcast (this particular DVR model is a Scientific Atlanta EXPLORER 8000). I think both the hardware and service are probably similar to what's offered through other cable providers, but the TiVo service is unique.

So how do the two services stack up? Let's look at the advantages of each.

TiVo:

• Very user-friendly once it's installed.
  
  
• More extensive programming options, such as "record all movies directed by Ron Howard."
  
  
• Much easier to see at a glance exactly what you're recording.
  
  
• Better conflict resolution when two scheduled recordings overlap. It looks at the priorities you've assigned instead of randomly dropping one—along with all future recordings of that show!
  
  
• "TiVo Suggestions," shows that you might like based on your ratings of other shows, are automatically recorded.
  
  
• Can be trusted not to automatically delete anything unless it runs out of space. And in that case, the priority system will protect your most important programs. TiVo Suggestions are the first to go.

Comcast:

• No phone line required.
  
  
• Easy installation because it integrates seamlessly with the cable system. Just plug it in—no goofy IR emitters to stick on, no guessing the codes for your cable box, etc.
  
  
• Probably cheaper than TiVo, although it's hard to say for sure. Comcast's DVR service requires a digital cable package, which you may or may not be getting anyway. TiVo's cost depends on which model you buy, whether you buy the hardware from TiVo.com or a retailer, how many years of service you want to commit to, and whether you want to pre-pay or go with a monthly plan.
  
  
• No additional remote control.
  
  
• Can record two shows at once, and record one show while watching another.
  
  
• Comcast will presumably provide an updated model when needed, and take the unit back when you move.
  
  
• No overly cute interface, which will be a plus for some users. It may seem petty, but the loud sounds you get when pushing buttons on the TiVo remote really bothered me. I found that it's quieter if you select menu items by pushing the right arrow instead of select.

The verdict

Both services are very different. It's interesting how many major flaws in each one are totally absent in the other. As I said, it was an easy decision for me to go with Comcast's offering because I didn't have a phone line. If that weren't an issue, I would still make the same choice. Although TiVo certainly has some major advantages, I can't get past the difficulty of setting it up and the annoying sounds. But I can see how some people would love it. At any rate, if you like TV but don't have a DVR, you definitely want to get one, and start watching what you want when you want.