Yes.
If you’re a TV power user who demands quality software on your DVR along with the ability to record six channels at once without worrying about running out of space, the TiVo Roamio Plus and Roamio Pro are worth the premium price. But it’s not just the ability to record hundreds of hours of content or the six tuners. It’s TiVo’s third-party app library and UI that make it a worthy successor to whatever you have under your TV right now.
Of course, when you’re talking about any DVR you have to factor in location and available services. The Dish Hopper and DirecTV Genie are both fine devices. But both require you to be a subscriber of those satellite services. That’s where TiVo shines. While it won’t work with Dish or DirecTV, you can use it with pretty much any cable provider.
Plus, the Roamio comes with streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video — something that a pay-TV provider might not be willing to add to its DVR offerings. Why give your customers a taste of what it’s like to watch TV without commercials? And while the Pro is a costly box ($600, ouch), it will mean you can forgo an $80-$100 streaming box from Roku and Apple. As you’ll see below, when you look at the monthly cost, TiVo is actually a cheaper option as long as you’re willing to stick it out for a few years.
Even then, the overall cost savings is a tough sell for anyone who updates their hardware more often than their wardrobe. That’s where the TiVo software comes in. Most people that use TiVo love the UI. It’s quick, easy to use, and you come to love the “ba-dunk” sound it makes when you press the fast-forward button. TiVo is counting on your willingness to pay a premium up front for a superior experience. Whether that experience is worth hundreds of dollars is up to you.
To help you decide which DVR is right for your TV and pocketbook, here are the high-end DVRs available from TiVo and the major pay-TV services.
Hardware Name
Capacity
Tuners
Third-Party App
Local Streaming
Wide Streaming
Wi-Fi
Hardware Cost
Monthly Cost
TiVo
Roamio Plus/Pro
150/450 hours
6
Netflix, Amazon Instant Watch, etc.
Yes & Mobile Device Transfer
Yes (avail. Fall)
Yes
$400/$600
$15
Comcast
HD DVR
60 Hours
2
No
No
No
No
Free with Signup
$18
Dish
Hopper DVR
400 Hours
6
Prime Time Anytime, Commercial Skip
Yes & Mobile Device Transfer
Yes
Yes
$200
$25
DirecTV
Genie
200 Hours
5
YouTube, Pandora, Flickr
To other boxes
Adapter Needed
Adapter Needed
$300
$25/$15
Time Warner
Whole House HD DVR
75 Hours
2
No
To other boxes
No
No
Free with Signup
$23
*Your actual monthly costs will vary based on where you live what promotion are in place.
