Tivo | Digital Video Recorder

Tivo Digital Video Recorder: A Brief History

TiVo is a very popular brand of digital video recorders in the United States that allows users to tape television, skip through commercials and other viewing options. Video recorded by TiVo is stored on a hard drive and can be saved for access at a later date. Also, video can be burned to DVD or transferred via the internet.

TiVo, Inc. did not see a profitable quarter until nearly six years after public release. The second quarter of 2005 was the first time that TiVo, Inc. reported a substantial profit and had recovered it’s initial investments.

TiVo was created by TiVo. Inc. and relased to the public in September of 1999. TiVo has become so well known that the term ‘TiVo’ is sometimes used as a verb to describe the recording of television, such as “Did you TiVo Survivor for me last night?”

Currently, TiVo is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Taiwan. Canadian residents must purchase TiVo boxes from United States vendors though, as TiVo is not sold in Canada. Some people have modified TiVo digital video recorders to work in non-TiVo equipped locations, such as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the Netherlands.

In 2000 TiVo service was introduced to the United Kingdom. As in the United States, TiVo quickly developed a niche market and a following of loyal users who claimed they couldn’t imagine watching television without TiVo.

Since 2002 United Kingdom TiVo producers decided to discontinue manufacturing and service. Existing subscribers still have access, and lifetime TiVo subscriptions continue to soar on online auction marketplaces, with the average TiVo lifetime subscription in the UK running more than £400.

Despite their loyal customer base and claims that TiVo has many features that are better than generic digital video recorders, TiVo has a mere 30-40% share of all digital video recorder sales. It is believed by many that some users are reluctant to learn to use TiVo and are more comfortable with traditional VCRs or their successor the generic DVR.

If you’re interested in learning more about TiVo, visit their website and take a look at the available services for your area. My parents love TiVo and were very excited to find out about TiVo’s lifetime subscription service. For between $200-$300 USD you can get a lifetime subscription for your TiVo.

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