 |
The TiVo Revolution
The TiVo revolution of personal video recording has your TV thinking for you
Steve Morgenstern
From the Print Edition:
Kevin Spacey, Jan/Feb 02
(continued from page 4)
For most users, a TiVo system is the best way to transform yourself from a couch potato to a power viewer. The system is so easy to use, even my technophobe wife feels comfortable with it. TiVo's programming suggestions are off base about as often as they're right, but I do sometimes make real discoveries this way. Searching upcoming programs is a snap, as is setting up regular automatic recording of your favorite shows. And after recent price cuts, TiVo systems from Sony and Philips are much more affordable than ever before. As to which manufacturer you choose, it frankly doesn't matter much. My only real preference for Philips is the design of the remote control, but I'd probably go with the system that's the better buy at the time.
In its current incarnation, UltimateTV is a very good first effort, but with noticeable rough edges. The equipment sells for more than competitive TiVo systems. The dual-tuner function that UltimateTV first enabled should be available in TiVo combo systems by the time you read this (albeit without the slick picture-in-picture feature). The only significant factor that might lead you to UltimateTV over TiVo, then, is WebTV access. If the Net on your set intrigues you, spend a few minutes playing with it at the store before deciding. If you already have a computer connection to the Internet, though, I'm betting you'll pass on WebTV.
Steve Morgenstern writes on technology for Cigar Aficionado.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
RSS