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are the Series2 any good?

Yes they are good. But if you are trying to record HD broadcasts these will not. With the recent push for everything in HD you have to figure out if HD is what you want of standard def. for recorded shows. Tivo does make a HD recorder but they are still fairly pricey in my opinion.

Another factor you have to look at is yes Tivo has some great features like being able to schedule recording over the internet among other things. There are some drawbacks also. There is a $12 monthly charge for their service and if your unit fails its pretty much easier and cheaper to just replace it. Tivo hard drives have their own image with the software on it. So if your drive dies or you want to upgrade the space.. then you have to A) Buy a new TIVO or B) Buy the software, replace the drive and void your TIVO warranty (If you have one) Finding the software can be done again for another cost.

There are other products out there that also do what TIVO does (minus the online recording scheduling) and they are listed under DVR (Digital Video Recorders) but I haven't seen one go for $50.

I hope that helps you in your search for a TIVO/DVR

if You don't have/need HD they are awesome. If you are good with computers you can throw in a 2nd hard drive and have a ton of space.

For me, its the monthly service fee that kills it. I hate monthly fees.

You can get three years of service for $300 which works out to $8.50ish a month. If you get a TivoHD, then you can drop the cable company's STB (which for me rents at $10 a month) so actually if you are already paying rent for a STB, TivoHD service comes out to be an even trade. $8.50 for tivo + $1.75 month cablecard = about the $10 I currently pay for the STB rental each month.

I think it is foolish to buy anything that is SD only. Certainly you'll regret that in a year or two.

I love my TIVO. Even with a fee it makes my life easier and a one hour show only takes 40 min to watch minus all the advertisements. So I save time too.

got the Series2 w/ lifetime membership but don't use it anymore, collecting dust since I got DVR thru my cable provider.

#7 - Clean it up and sell it on e-bay. They sell very well on there. Not sure why you don't use it (unless the SD thing) I mean you are willing to pay for a rental form the cable company, but not willing to use the one you paid for??? odd... If it is the HD thing... then I understand, but you could have transfered the membership to a new HD box, or like I said.. Sell it on e-bay.

Stick with TIVO. I went so far as to buy series 3 for HD due to my detestation of the SA DVR interface-never regretted it.

The TIVO interface is second to none, but now that most major providers have their own box who knows how long they will be around. This is an ok deal if you don't currently have a DVR and have basic cable.

picked up 3 of these at circuit city recently for $3.95 each. i ripped out the hard drives and used them with my other tivo boxes.