I have had a Direct-TV Tivo for over a year now and we couldn't do without it. When I hacked the Tivo recently to upgrade the hard drive my wife made me promise if I broke it I would have to go out the same evening and buy another - LOL. That is how much we use it. A Direct-Tivo is a Direct TV system with Tivo combined in one unit, as opposed to just a regular Tivo that you use with cable or antenna.

My opinion is that TV should not be watched live (why be limited to what is on at the moment), nor should you ever have to watch commercials again.

Tivo will find stuff for you (based on things you tell it), and automagically record all your favorite shows and movies without you ever having to think about it again. For example: Do you like Sandra Bullock? Put her in as a actor wishlist and you will get all her movies AND any interviews she may do on talk shows etc. Like David Lynch movies? A Director wishlist will record anything he has directed automatically.

Tivo is one of those rare things in life that you can't possibly be sorry for buying. Everyone I know who has one LOVES IT.

DirectTV Tivo is the way to go as well (imho). Only records in highest quality mode and it has two tuners so you can record two programs at once, and even watch a third show that you have previously recorded, at the same time as you are recording the two others. I like Direct Tv as well. The day I cancelled my lousy cable service was a happy happy day.

I upgraded my Tivo hard drive to a 160 gig Seagate a couple months ago and we now have 150 hours recording capability. When I sit down to watch TV there are now approximately 120 shows and movies that I really like waiting for me in digital quality. I could never possibly have time to watch even a tenth of all the good stuff waiting on my Tivo every evening.

Direct Tivos are available for $99.95, if you are new to Direct TV it's $49.95 after rebate and installation including the dish (even multiple rooms) is usually free with a one year contract.