I just bought a TiVo and it is A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

Can't believe how I lived without it. Only downside is I'm watching more TV now. There's a heap of stuff I didn't know existed.

 

what is TIVO ?

 

A dual HD tuner PVR/DVR. But does so much more. Free and true EPG, Wishlist for recording, and in future able to download movies, sync up home computer to stream music. photos and vids. Like a HTPC for dummies with a much slicker interface. Only downside is the small 160GB HDD but can expand.

 

Can it take regular external drives? Wireless portables are pretty trick I reckon.

 

It has an E-SATA port and USB so you can hook it DIY if you're technically inclined like some have with a 1TB drive. Otherwise the official external drive is available next year.

 

Blackie, Does it have a setup option to output in NTSC format?
My old topfield 5000 does this but I am thinking of replacing it with something that has is networked but most of the new HD pvrs don't do NTSC output (MY TV is one I brought back from US a few years back)

 

Not that I know of. There is a way around this though. Get a new TV!

 

I was trying to avoid that!
I actually got a topfield 7100 thinking that it would just have the same output options as the 5000. After much mucking about I returned it and kept using the 5000. The truth is that I have never been a real fan of plasma/lcd tvs due to artifacts. Even the really expensive have them. In the end I will probably have to buy one (since they hardy make CRTS nowadays). But I am dragging my feet ATM.

On a related note I found out my stereo is kaput today. I hadn't used it for about 3 months (I do most of my music listening on the puter nowadays) and now the volume is stuck at 0 (the CD changed hasn't worked for eons though).

So I may just build myself a mythtv system (fm tuner included) and replace the stereo with an AV receiver.... that is assuming I can be bothered. The kids use the TV more than I do nowadays and they don't use the stereo...