I got a Tivo for my birthday. (My birthday is Tuesday but since I have business commitments that day, I am vainly trying to reschedule my birthday to this weekend. The family is skeptical.)
I don't really know how the AI works. I haven't recorded anything yet and most of the weekend has been spent watching FoxNews and science shows. I have flipped through the guide and told it up or down on a few shows but since yesterday was Saturday, my usual sitcom diet wasn't on.
Yet, today in the middle of a news report on Bill Simon's withdrawal, Tivo popped on and suggested I might like it to switch over and record Radio Days, a Woody Allen movie. I don't care much for Woody Allen but my husband does. So I gave it permission. I'm not sure what led it to think we would like such a thing.
BTW, yes, I know I've given up some of my privacy but heck I have a blog. Anyone who wants to know anything about me has ample access to information more revealing than how many hours a day Fox News is on.
I've been thinking about picking one up. Let me know how you like it.
Interising, we share a birthday. Happy Birthday to US!
A friend of mine has had one for a few years and she worships it :) Loves it just doesn't cover how much she likes her Tivo, believe me!
Use the thumbs up/down to tweak out what you like and don't, give it some time and you won't see as many wildcard choices popping up. It's not the smartest AI, but it does ok.
Also, if you don't want tivo to record stuff on it's own, you can turn it off in the setup. Checkout the forums for more info.
Had one for 3 yrs now, I love it.
I'm devastated to read that you're married.
Well, Justene,
I was idly wondering if I had anything at all in common with you, and all things come to he who waits.
I too do not like Woody Allen. Although I have viewed thousands of films over a long lifetime, I never once have seen one of his.
I judge Woody Allen solely by the previews that I could not avoid while waiting for the feature film to come onscreen, and by the news accounts of his sexual relationship with his adopted daughter.
His screen persona is that of a whining and maladjusted nebish; his private life is that of something I would grind under the heel of my boot, if opportunity arose.
Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI
Tivo reminds me of the "telescreens" in George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four.
Arnold: I couldn't have done a better job of describing Woody Allen.
Bill: You made my rescheduled birthday.
All: It turns out that my husband accidentally taped a bad Western yesterday, which explains a lot!
I have one of the DirecTV TiVo receivers and I've got to say, I love it. Since the satellite receiver is built into the box, the signal stays digital all the way. Also, it has two tuners and can record two things at once, and DirecTV subsidizes the cost of the TiVo subscription so I only pay $5 a month for it. Too bad most TV is so atrocious that I need to pay $80 a month to get enough stuff worth watching...
Woody Allen's best role in recent years was as a cartoon ant, where he played a caricature of himself. I'm not a fan otherwise, but that was pretty funny.
Live TV is the devil! I once read that the best way to get a Tivo is to buy it, set up all the Season Passes you want, then leave for a week. :)
If you set up a bunch of Season Passes, you'll be able to watch queued shows and fast forward through the commercials, which means 3 half hour shows in one hour.
Try it out and see if it doesn't change the way you watch TV. I've gotten so used to it, I find myself trying to fast forward through commercials at my girlfriend's house.