Terry Teachout loves his new digital cable box from Time Warner, complete with DVR, and thinks the service may spell trouble for Tivo and other stand-alone DVR units. I'm no expert, but Teachout lists few real advantages of the Time Warner system other than a relatively easy interface and the cost of "pennies a day" for the service. If my experience with cable outfits is any guide, somehow "pennies a day" can quickly become "nickels and dimes a day". And Tivo units are only about $300. Either way, I think I'm ready for commercial-free TV.
Posted by dan at November 7, 2003 01:12 AMWe got our DVRs a couple of weeks ago (Comcast) Sue and I both quickly became addicted, partially because our VCR sucks and is a pain to program. We have been going through a cost-cutting phase recently and I reluctantly determined that the DVRs and cable internet would be casualties. Fortunately, the friendly folks at Comcast offered to cut our internet bill in half and not charge us for the DVRs for 6 months. I'm sure they're under pressure to make everyone keep the things until they're hopelessly addicted. For me, it won't take long. I haven't figured out how to delete the commercials yet, though.
Posted by: Al at November 7, 2003 11:14 AMIt's my understanding that these devices supplied by Time Warner and the like do not include the ever-popular 30-second skip button of the Tivo units, a gesture to appease the network gods, I'm sure.
That said, the popular thing to do is start watching the 7:00 Sportscenter at 7:30, and just fast-forward through the commercials, knowing you'll never beat the buffer and catch up to real time.
Or just record it and fast forward later.
Skipping commercials is nice, but NFL Primtime whenever you want it is much better, commercials or not. Sad as it may be, advertising will never go away. Unless you want that DVR bill to be $'s a day, rather than pennies.
Posted by: alw9 at November 10, 2003 01:21 AM