Philips HDR112 Tivo Digital Video Recorder

My Tivo unit is not properly contacting the server to download the program directory. This has been going on for over 2 weeks, so now my unit won't record at all. Tivo support lines have 30 min+ waits to get through. Online support is very limited. Upon getting thru to the first Tivo number, finally, they sent me to a second Philips number, and they were closed, with limited business hours. It would be one thing if this were just bad out-of-warranty hardware support, we're all used to that. However, Tivo is charging $12/month for the directory service and to not be willing to even take my call on it is frustrating.

I've had no problems with 2 Replay TV units, which I've owned longer, and would recommend them over Tivo. Functionally, the units are essentially the same -- Tivo's slightly easier to use but Replay is slightly more flexible. My next unit will be another Replay.


Changes your life - but you need more capacity   August 3, 2002
Michael Adberg (Los Angeles, CA United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

There is no way you'll watch TV the same way you did before you get this - you watch what you want, when you want. No more waiting until 10 PM to see something - you just watch it the next night at 8:30, even while another show you like is on. Its pretty amazing.

You need to expand the hours, though - go ...find the upgrade kit you'll need to really use this thing.


TiVo is self destructing.   July 30, 2002
Jack Hole (Pacifica, CA USA)
16 out of 20 found this review helpful

I have enjoyed my Tivo for 2 years now. Bascially, we can no longer live without it. However, as a company, Tivo is absolutely horrible. Where to start? My Tivo started to experience problems with video/audio synch lately. I called customer support and received suggestions for a fix, all of which I had tried. They were nice enough. Then I find out, to exchange my unit for a new one, it will cost $149.00 for parts and labor. Shipping is additional. OK. How about letting me save everyone the trouble and purchase a Tivo II (for much more money) and keep my current lifetime subscription? Seeing as how I was an early adopter/evangelist, etc? Uhh, no. Oh, and by the way, after you pay for repairs, they're only warrantied for 30 DAYS! Then, if you have further trouble, you're SOL again. I ask if there's a supervisor, or anyone available who's interested in keeping a good customer? Uhh, no. Well, I guess I can just buy Replay or Ultimate TV then? Uhh, yeah. I don't take the time to write online opinions or letters very often, but the policies and behavior of Tivo are so frustatingly bad, I just had to. Next on my list is the CEO. If they keep this up, he'll be next in the bread line. To sum up, the company I previously raved about will never see another dime from me. (or any of my valuable programming data)


Tivo will dramatically change how you use TV   July 16, 2002
gadgetmaster (Austin, TX United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Any Tivo is a huge improvement over regular television.

This unit can easily be upgraded for more capacity. I added an additional 80 gig drive without a hitch.

Pausing live television is great. I haven't used my VCR in over a year. Tapes are a joke in comparison.

Easy onscreen menus guide the set up of recording preferences.

The Season Pass feature will record every episode for you!


Good service   June 21, 2002
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

Good and reliable, but maybe a tad slow, but got it no prob