TiVo DVR

The device also provides an electronic television programming schedule, and provides recording options based on that schedule. Originally intending to create a home network device, they later developed the idea to record digitized video on a hard disk. A TiVo device serves a function similar to a videocassette recorder, in that both allow a television viewer to record programming for viewing at a later time. Unlike a VCR, which uses removable magnetic tape cartridges, a TiVo device stores television programs onto non-removable hard disk storage. A feature that distinguishes TiVo devices from similar digital video recorders is the sophisticated software written by TiVo Inc  that automatically records programs, not only those the user specifically requests, but also other material the user is likely to be interested in. The TiVo device also implements a patented feature TiVo calls "trick play," which allows the viewer to pause live television, and rewind and replay up to a half hour of recently viewed television. Finally, more recent TiVo devices can be connected to a computer local area network, which allows the TiVo device to download information and even video programmes and movies from the Internet. TiVo gets program information for the next two weeks, program description, regular and guest actors, directors, genres, whether programs are new or repeats, and whether broadcast is in HD. Information is updated daily from Tribune Media Services. Users can select individual programs to record, or a "season pass" which records an entire season (or more). There are options to record First Run Only, First Run & Repeats, or All Episodes. When user requests for two programs conflict, the lower priority program in the Season Pass Manager is either not recorded or clipped where times overlap. The lower priority program will be recorded if it is aired later. TiVo systems with two tuners record the top two priority programs.

TiVo pioneered recording programs based on household viewing habits,  this is called TiVo Suggestions. Users can rate programs from three "thumbs up" to three "thumbs down". TiVo user ratings are combined to create a recommendation, based on what TiVo users with similar viewing habits watch. For example, if a user likes The Simpsons, American Dad and Futurama, then another TiVo user who watched just the The Simpsons might get a recommendation for the other two shows. A limited amount of space is available to store programs. While watching TV, the current channel is recorded for up to 30 minutes. Unlike VCRs, TiVo can record and play at the same time. Unlike most DVRs, the TiVo Series2 is easily connected to home networks,[10] allowing scheduling recordings on TiVo's website (via TiVo Central Online), transferring recordings between TiVo units (Multi-Room Viewing (MRV)) or to/from a home computer (TiVoToGo), playing music and viewing photos over the network, and accessing third-party applications written for TiVo's Home Media Engine (HME) API. To date, there have been three "series" of TiVo units produced. Series1 TiVo units used one or two drives of 13–60 GB; current Series2 units have drives of 40–250 GB in size. The TiVo-branded 1xx and 2xx generations were solid grey-black. Some TiVo systems are integrated with DirecTV receivers. DirecTV continues to support the existing base of DirecTV recorders powered by TiVo. Other than the recently discontinued Hughes Electronics DirecTV DVR w/ TiVo model HR10-250, the only currently available HDTV capable TiVo units are the Series 3 models, which will record high definition TV. A few common other TiVo models will only record analog standard definition TV.