tivo is the best invention. i started with the series 2 dual channel box.
tivo can be used with basic cable instead of digital cable. tivo can be used with a cable connection instead of a telephone line.
tivo was little confusing to set up and start using tivo since i have never used a dvr before. once you understand and practice using tivo, it becomes really easy.
i tried comcast dvr for several days before returning to using tivo. tivo is easier to find programs to record. (comcast dvr have to use menu to find program, but tivo can type name of program with alphabet display on screen). you can also use a keyword search, channel search, time search to locate programs to record.
tivo also has a thumbs up or thumbs down button you can push to "tell" tivo if you like the show you recorded. then, tivo uses those to record shows tivo thinks you might like in a section called recommendations.
another great thing about recording with tivo is that you can set up season passes. this means that you can record a show all season long. tivo can be set to record only new shows or new shows and repeats. this is great so it does not record the repeats every week.
customer service at tivo was helpful when i have called. it did not sound like they were reading instructions out of a book and they listened to what i was saying.
tivo is a little more expensive than comcast dvr, but well worth it. i love the fact that i can also fast forward through the commercials and can "save up time" on live tv by using the pause button. once returning to the show hit play and you can fast forward through commercials. if you want to return to live tv, you just hit the live tv button. tivo has parental controls and you can send a recorded program to a computer, but i have not tried those features yet.
i hardly watch regular tv anymore. i just watch all my recorded programs.