Call it Tivo, PVR, DVR, whatever, it is simply wonderful. I cannot watch live television anymore. I record everything then watch it without commercials. What if a live show is coming on that I really want to see? Simple. When its about to come on, pause it. Then get your popcorn, do some dishes, play with the kids, whatever, then after about twenty mins. or so, (for an hour program), come back to the tv, and watch it, skipping the commercials, and by the end, it will be just about live again. OR, just record the new program and watch something that you already have recorded. Most of the time, I am off the TV schedule by at least a day, if not a week or two. People will ask if I had seen something yet, and I'll say, not yet, but I have it waiting.
I am lucky enough to have dish networks 721 reciever. This sucker has two tuners on it. This means I can record TWO channels at the same time, while watching something prerecorded! Awsome! Expensive, yes ($599.00, US). But with three kids, all we do is watch tv, so its worth it for us.
The biggest benifit to having my dish network reciever is there is no extra monthly charges. I get the two week guide too. Tivo's biggest advantage is the season pass, and the reccomended recordings. It will follow a show thru time changes, and if you like a certain type of programming, it will auto record other programs just like it. That may be well worth the monthly investment.
ENJOY !