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TiVo TCD649080 Series2 80-Hour Dual-Tuner Digital Video Recorder | 
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| Brand: TiVo
Category: CE
List Price: $149.99
Buy Used: $69.99
You Save: $80.00 (53%)
New (42) from $98.11
Avg. Customer Rating:  113 reviews
Media: Electronics
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 14.3
Dimensions (in): 18 x 20 x 8
MPN: TCD649080
Model: TCD649080
UPC: 851342000346
EAN: 0851342000346
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Dual-tuner TiVo box can record programming from two different channels at once; optimized for cable users | | • | Digitally record up to 80 hours of programming | | • | USB and Ethernet ports offer ability to stream digital music and photos from a computer to TiVo and transfer programming to PCs | | • | TiVo service includes Season Pass, WishList, program guide, digital music, digital photos, and online scheduling | | • | Everything required for installation is supplied; subscription to TiVo service is additional requirement |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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
Amazon.com Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 108 more reviews...
A sorely needed feature added to an already great product May 7, 2006
320 out of 324 found this review helpful
After years of sticking to a single-tuner model (except for the DirecTv versions), Tivo has finally released a dual-tuner model. For the most part, the only difference between this model and previous Series 2 Tivos is the ability to record two channels at once.
The box keeps the look of the more recent series 2 Tivos, except for a black-accented faceplate. The connections in the rear are laid out largely the same as past versions, with the exception of an ethernet port that has been added for wired networking.
The software has minor changes, particularly slight modifications to the menu background images and the newer "tivo introduction skit" that appears when the tivo is powered on. The software and hardware work smoothly. There seems to be a faster processor included, as navigation through the menus is quick and smooth.
The dual-tuner functions work well. Having grown accustom to the single-tuner model, it took me some time to get used to the ability to change channels while recording (and that what is on screen is not necessarily what is being recorded). It was also pleasant to schedule 25 season passes without a single conflict-such is the benefit of being able to record two shows at once.
But the dual-tuner function needs some explanation. The people who benefit most from the DT function are those who have analog cable without a cable box (as I do). I simply plug in the coax cable into the tivo, and it is ready to go. (Note: there is only one coax input-the signal is split internally and sent to the dual tuners.) If you have a cable box or digital cable, things start to get a bit trickier. In fact, in order to use the dual-tuner feature, you MUST be able to receive at least some channels through an analog cable connection. This means that if you have purely digital cable that requires a digital cable box, you will NOT be able use the dual tuner functions, as there is only one connection allowed between the cable box and tivo. I suggest you go to tivo's website and download the product manual for the DT tivo and read the part about connecting tivo to your cable. If it seems like too big of a hassle, you might want to wait for the series 3 tivos that will include cable-card technology (which allows you to use digital cable without the cable box).
One additional note, tivo has stopped supporting over-the-air antenna tuning with this model. If you hook up an antenna to tivo, it will only receive channels 2-13. Any broadcast channels above 13 will not be received.
And for those who are thinking of "upgrading" this tivo to a larger hard drive-the DT tivo is upgradeable in the same ways that past series 2 models were. I used the standard methods (which are published all over the internet) and replaced the 80GB hard drive with a 250GB one. Upgrading, however, voids your warranty (which is only 3 months anyway).
Overall, I am happy with the DT tivo, but that is in large part due to fact that I receive analog cable without a cable box. Many of you who have been using antennas, cable boxes or digital cable will likely be somewhat less satisfied with this model.
 TiVo's 80 Hour Dual: Less TV viewing, just better! July 21, 2006
52 out of 59 found this review helpful
WOW! My wife bought me this for Father's Day. I'm not a jewelry type of guy, but TiVo is drop-dead freakin' awesome, speechlessly amazing!
If you don't know TiVo: plug it in, let it set itself up, and every time you turn on your set, it quietly records as you watch, so if you get up to take a call or get a snack, no problem: TiVo's got you covered.
Watch "The Dead Zone?" Take a 20 minute break and let TiVo start taping for you: you'll zip through what you don't want and back up to what you want to see again. No tape, no picture loss.
TiVo starts with a 15 second or so guide over your picture of what's on that show, how long and whatever else you need to know; not even "Today Show" is immune from TiVo knowing what's coming up. If you think there's nothing good on, use TiVo to search it all out. Cut your cable back to basic, bud; you'll have more finds with a lot less, guaranteed.
Program what you want to copy via the net. Yahoo! support for photos and junk.
Fandango ticket purchases, movie previews, it will even learn, if you want it to, what you like to watch. Very, very easy to hook up although working it into my LCD TV has yet to figure out what hook up is best, although we rewired it and the picture dramatically improved, so thanks Tivo for showing me a few options that were better!
I do NOT use TiVo's alphabetical directory of shows: slow. I DO use Yahoo! TV guides to just click and pick: fast and easy as pie.
My eMac still can't use TiVo's desktop app, but one'a these days I'll get it working.
Slide shows: better than I thought I'd ever use. Love it!
Check out the newest features and tutorials; you'll just flip and keep flipping.
Recommended: Sign up for the 3-year plan and f'get about it. By the time it's paid up, the next generation of Tivo will be around. It is a safe bet.
Anybody who trash-talks TiVo doesn't know it, so tune out critics and tune in devotees and never, ever miss a good show again.
Lives Up to the Hype September 17, 2006
42 out of 46 found this review helpful
I have listened to the hype about TIVO for a couple of years now. With the hundred dollar plus rebates on the hardware, as well as substantial discounts on the service, I thought I'd break down and give it a try. Here' my experience...
The Good...
1. Very intuitive user interface for the set-up screens and remote; it could be argued that Tivo is the gold standard for ease of use
2. Very secure packaging of unit
3. Included cabling is of unusally high quality (not Monster cable grade, but still very good for included cabling)
4. Installation directions are very easy to follow (though not as good as Dell's color coded design)
5. There is a 30 day money back guarantee
6. Customer reps are friendly and well trained (and they speak english too!)
The Bad...
1. The front of the box says all required cables are included; the directions state that a second A/V cable -- required for the recommended installation method -- is "user provided" (i.e., sold separately)
2. The service is not compatible with some VoIP services
3. Though set-up is easy, it is a one to two hour ordeal, requiring multiple visits to websites and countless button presses to ensure interoperablity with the cable box
4. The remote is pretty low tech looking; it also has a lower quality feel tha leads me to belive that I'll be shopping for a replacement in a year or less
The Ugly...
1. They try to get you to sign up for a three year, pre-paid service contract; if after 30 days you find that you don't like/need Tivo, you forteit all that money -- ouch!
2. When I attempted to use the website to activate the service, the site was unstable and wouldn't allow me to complete the order. I then called the 800 number for service, where the hold time exceed 25 minutes. Hope I never have cause to call again as this is a totally unacceptable wait time
Net/net: this is a well thought out product that does just what it says it does -- enables consumers to watch TV on their terms.
 Pray that it doesn't break... good unit, bad service January 5, 2007
28 out of 32 found this review helpful
We're on our second unit. Functions well, but customer service will run you ragged if it breaks. Here's a review of the unit and our experience.
Pro:
-Our TV no longer owns us... we can go to dinner without rushing back home to catch "How I Met Your Mother" or "Two and a Half Men"
-Easy to use to play, pause, rewind... also easy to find and record shows
-Easy to program to record all upcoming shows
-Holds lots of programs (I think at one time we had fifty or so shows recorded on high-quality)
-No internet connection required
-Easy set-up, even on Christmas when we bought the unit (I was very impressed)
-Deleted shows go into a deleted items folder and are deleted later... nice if you delete something accidentally because you can get it right back
Con:
-Our Tivo now owns us
-Not obvious way to tell how much memory has been used
-Tivo forces mail (via Tivo) as well as updates that can change features and have also send us some junk advertisements
-Customer service will take you through a grueling 2-hour troubleshooting process if you think your unit is broken... it required several call backs where I waited on hold a very long time. I was also hung up on when in the middle of troubleshooting when the tech realized the call center had just closed
-We had to pay about $50 to ship the unit back to Tivo for repair despite being under warranty (Tivo does not reimburse you for this)
-You must record ads and must fast-forward through them
-Tivo will make recommendations, adding as many as 20 programs a day (theoretically it could at up to 48 shows that you'd need to clean out)
-Can only record one show at a time
-Set up is slow, lengthy
-A larger unit that we had expected... hoping future versions are smaller or integrate a DVD player to eliminate cords
-If you buy the lifetime package, if you buy a new Tivo, or if your old one breaks and cannot be repaired, you will need to buy another lifetime package or a monthly subscription... lame!
Neutral:
-You need to keep Tivo connected to a telephone line (I suppose you could leave it connected only part of the time, but that's not convenient)
Bottom line: We think that it is currently the best unit on the market, but we are desperately hoping to get a different one from another company. Be sure before pros outweigh the cons before you buy.
An explanation of just what TiVo is for you newcomers September 27, 2007
21 out of 33 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2XT4JQXNVM8PW In this video, I explain just what a TiVo is, how it works, and why it is TOTALLY AWESOME.
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