Thomson PVR 1000UK TiVo

Well it seems an eternity since i got my hands on the first TiVo recorder and wrote my review back in April last year.Since then the boffins at TiVo HQ have addressed some of the original "bugs" that blighted such a good product. Now with new software and improved operating options such as "Wishlists" and "Season Pass's", TiVo is a real winner and still (in my opinion) better than Sky+. It is still easy, although a little "long winded" to install and set-up, but that does not detract in any way from the "fun" you wil have "teaching" TiVo your TV preferences. You still get 7 days of Free listings to get you started but TiVo reminds you every day that you must subscribe (£10 per month or £199 for a lifetime payment.) to get the full TiVo functionality.The original "five units" that I reviewed a year ago all suffered from the same problem, a pulsing picture when watching or recording TV through the in-built tuner, Sky Digital recordings were fine. NOW it seems the problem is reversed. My current TiVo gives superb pictures from terrestrial TV, both recorded and live. However recordings from my Sony Sky Box show signs of of a horizontal rolling ghost behind the original picture. Apparently this can be reduced by careful selection of the RF channel you use to view your recordings. I prefer to view TiVo through scart, but this seems to highlight the problem.So my conclusion is that TiVo still has some "bugs" that need addressing, BUT that said, it is still a great way to time shift your TV and the convenience and features outway the negatives. If you can find a TiVo at the right price, BUY IT, you'll love it.

I couldn't go back to life without TiVo - I always have something to watch that I want to watch. Pausing live tv is very useful too.

and many of its suggestions are spot on! I love my TiVo.

Once the Thomson PVR has loaded all the information it needs via your telephone line, (takes up to 2.5 hours to do this but it is all free phone) you are ready to start watching TiVo. For it to work properly you have to subscribe to Sky Digital, without the subs TiVo will only work as a basic video recorder. Menu's and timer setting is easy and you can watch a recording while the TiVo is recording something else. The timer though does NOT allow for over-run of programmes unless you enter this manually (which defeats the idea somewhat) and recording of ITV (Ch63) off air in my area resulted in a pulsing picture which could not be cured. Recordings from the Digibox are superb. A good idea but it needs some work on the software to justify the monthly subscription. Decide for yourself before you give TiVo the heave-ho!