TiVo TCD648250B Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend Record up to 300 hours of standard recording time or up to 32 in High Definition with this THX-certified digital video recorder that delivers high-quality, high-definition programming and allows you to record up to 2 live shows at once. Schedule recordings anywhere from tivo.com and the advanced TiVo broadband features, including digital photos, Internet radio, podcasts. The backlit programmable remote control is easy to configure to your TV.CableCARD technology to access your HD digital cable channelsSupports digital cable,… Product details and pricing info |
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186 Customer Reviews Posted
- Bugs have been fixed
- I've had my Series 3 for over one month now. I was hesitant to buy it at first due to the previous reviews noting limited functionality (TiVo To Go, etc.), but, noting the age of the other reviews (from 2006), I did some more research. I found newer articles (from late 2007, early 2008) stating that the problems have been resolved, so I decided to evaluate it during the 30-day trial period. And they really have been resolved :)
All of the bugs mentioned in other reviews have been fixed, including TiVo To Go and all the other features you don't get with your cable company. However, I should qualify this by saying that, with digital programming, sometimes the company puts "blocks" that prevent you from transferring the recording; that's an anti pirating problem sweeping throughout the entertainment industry, and not a TiVo problem. When TiVo obeys the law by stopping you from transferring something to your hard drive, it clearly states why.
I checked all the other negatives posted (except the one about hard drive expansion because I don't have or need an external drive) and I don't have problems with any of them.
I wouldn't pay full price to take the series three over the new, less expensive HD Series 2 (there aren't that many differences between them that an external hard disk can't solve), but with the huge Amazon discount in conjunction with the TiVo rebate, the difference in price is not that much and is worth it.
Now, if only TiVo would make a unit with three or more tuners... primetime has too many shows playing simultaneously for me to record all the ones I like! - 2008-02-26, 5 of 5 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- TiVi Series 3- A Great Purchase
- TiVo TCD648250B Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder
We have had TiVo Series 2 for years, and we have been very happy with the product and the service. When we got our first HD TV, TiVo Series 3 did not exist. We leased a HD DVR from Comcast. When compared with TiVo, the Comcast HD DVR fails miserably. One cannot record a program without knowing where to find it on the guide. One cannot choose to record only first runs. Worst of all, the scheduled recordings are not always accomplished. Although they appear in the scheduled recording list and the guide, some recordings are just skipped. We have also had recordings made that we did not set up. The Comcast DVR by Scientific Atlanta presents a fine picture, but the aforementioned shortfalls make it a loser. The ONLY feature in which it beats TiVo is in its cost. When we got our second HD TV, there was only one choice, and it was TiVo. We now have both products, and TiVo is a clear winner. The on-screen menus are easy to use, and it is always being improved. It is a wonderful, reliable product with none of the negative features found in the Comcast Scientific Atlanta HD DVR. We would buy it again. TiVo customer and technical support are very good and easily reachable by phone 24 hous per day. - 2008-02-25, 3 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Tivo Series 3
- I purchased the TiVo Series 3 because I wanted the extra capacity without having to add an additional hard drive. I can still TiVo shows in standard definition and be able to access them over the network on any of the other TiVos that are in the house. It's my understanding that you can't do that once you add the compatible hard drive. I wasn't sure how much of a difference the HD capabilty would be, but I can't imagine going back now.
I love being able to TiVo from two different channels at the same time. I have made use of that several times in the short time I have had the unit. I did have one of my shows last week that had started TiVoing and got interrupted, but last week was not a normal week, so I don't know if I ended up canceling the show or if it got dropped. I'll have to keep an eye on that and see if it happens again.
Overall, I have been happy with the Series 3 TiVo. I had a little trouble with the cable cards, but that was the fault of the first installer (who was working while he was sick) from Mediacom. The second guy knew exactly what was needed and made sure he had everything with when he came out. So far everything seems to be working great. I'll keep an eye on the program dropout and see if it happens again. Like I said, last week was not a normal week weather wise, work wise, life wise. - 2008-02-24, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Once upon a time I loved my TiVo
- I have been a long time TiVo customer since the Series 1 upgrading to a Series 2 and now a Series 3. The Series 1 and 2 are great devices but unfortunately they are not HD devices, so I upgraded to a Series 3 in December and I still don't have a Series 3 device that works and February is almost over.
I have exchanged the Series 3 device 3 times and I'm currently awaiting the 4th to arrive and not to mention the 4 visits by my cable provider to deliver the Cable Cards and verify the proper cable signals and voltages. Even though I am unable to get a workable device sent to me I am still not offered the "advanced" replacement without paying $800 to do so. Since this is my 4th unit let's practice some math 4 * $800 = $3200 in exchange fees that TiVo has had their hands on throughout this process and I still don't have a working device. Even though they have my credit card on file since they charge it every month for their service they would not send a device without a $800 deposit.
I can't believe how much money I've put into this whole project it makes me sick, and to think that I've now paid for 3 months of HD service and have never been able to use it since I can't get a working TiVo.
After reading all of the other reviews out there all of this sounds very familiar, endless reboots, latent menu responses, constant device failure. The last time I talked to TiVo support I brought this up the rep that I was working with, I ask him how they are addressing all of the negative feedback that is being reported and what they are doing about it. His response is that the negative feedback is unconfirmed facts and not the case. This is what sparked me to post this review, this device is a nightmare.
I sincerely hope that this next one works or this will end my TiVo loyalty. - 2008-02-21, 8 of 11 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- TiVo is terrific
- I've been using TiVo for a number of years first having a Series 1 followed by a DirecTV Series 2 HD. DirecTV doesn't work with TiVo HD anymore, so I picked up this Series 3HD and switched to cable with 2 cable cards. It works just great. Comcast had no trouble installing and activating the cable cards.
- 2008-02-19, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
