TiVo® messaging overview

The TiVo brand has more brand recognition than ever, but many people still do not understand why a TiVo DVR is different and so easy-to use. Effective communication requires a combination of lifestyle benefits and explanation of unique features.

Following are some clear and simple explanations that provide guidelines for how to talk about and write about the TiVo DVR and service. The language is intended to cover both the hardware and the service. Language is an important component of the brand and the use of clear, approachable language is imperative in explaining the product. Please refer to these examples when developing copy for your TiVo advertising and collateral.

What is TiVo?

TiVo is entertainment

The TiVo service brings you all your favorite TV shows, ready to watch whenever you want. Plus it can connect to the Internet, using your home network, to deliver movies, music, photos, and more – right to your TV. All at your command with one simple remote control. The TiVo DVR works with cable, satellite, or antenna, and with HDTV or standard TV.

The TiVo DVR experience – it’s better

TiVo has been leading the TiVolution since 1997. We make the TiVo DVR and the Emmy award-winning TiVo service. That's all we do. Just a quick online search and you'll find legions of TiVo devotees talking about how it's changed their lives for the better. The TiVo service really is the easiest way to search, record, and watch your favorite shows. You'll even discover great shows you never knew existed.

  • TiVo is the best-known and most-loved DVR on the planet
  • Over 91% of TiVo users would recommend it to their friends
  • Over 81% of TiVo users would give up their iPod before their TiVo DVR

The TiVo entertainment experience – it’s different

When you connect your TiVo DVR to your home network and high-speed Internet connection you get so much more than just a basic DVR.

  • Download thousands of movies and TV shows from Amazon Unbox
  • Listen to millions of songs with the Rhapsody music service
  • Share photos and home movies with friends & family, and view them on the TV
  • Transfer your favorite TV shows to your laptop or iPod using your PC or Mac

But don't worry if you can't connect your TiVo DVR to the Internet. As long as you have a phone line available, TiVo will still find and record all your favorite shows, keep your TV schedule current, and makes sure your TiVo DVR has the latest updates.

The TiVo setup experience – it’s easy

We make it easy to get your new TiVo DVR up and running!

  • Easy-to-follow setup instructions will have your new TiVo DVR connected to your TV and home network* in less than an hour – we even have videos that show you how to do it
  • If you have a HDTV, then call your cable company and have them install a CableCARD™ decoder in your TiVo HD DVR for the full HD experience
  • Complete the on-screen Guided Setup and your TiVo DVR will be finding and recording your favorite shows in no time
  • If you really don't want to do it yourself, you can always call Best Buy's Geek Squad and they'll take care of it for you.

* Many features require the DVR to be connected to your home network and high-speed Internet connection. Basic DVR functionality requires only a phone line connection.

The TiVo experience – it costs less than you think

TiVo Service:
TiVo offers several service plans to meet your budget: Monthly TiVo service is $12.95 or you can save money when you prepay for one or three years. For the biggest savings, you can opt to pay a one-time Product Lifetime service fee and never see another bill again!

TiVo DVR:
Instead of paying a rental fee like most basic DVRs, TiVo DVRs you own outright, and start as low as $99.99. TiVo HD is only $299.99.

TiVo features

With a TiVo DVR connected to an existing phone line or home network you can:

  • Record every episode of your favorite show
  • Record two shows at once
  • Control live and recorded shows with pause, rewind, fast-forward, instant replay, and slow motion
  • Search for shows by title, actor, category, or keyword
  • Record by actor, director, or even your favorite sports team
  • See shows TiVo recommends just for you
  • Pre-approve shows and channels for kids
  • Schedule shows online from tivo.com

When the TiVo DVR is connected to a home network that includes a PC or Mac you can:

  • Take your shows with you on your laptop, iPod, PSP, or other compatible device (requires TiVo Desktop Plus software for the PC or Roxio® Toast Titanium for the Mac)
  • Transfer shows between multiple TiVo DVRs on your home network
  • Save shows to DVD using your PC or Mac (requires TiVo Desktop Plus software for the PC or Roxio® Toast Titanium for the Mac)
  • Play your own music library from your PC or Mac through your TV (requires FREE TiVo Desktop software for the PC or Mac)
  • View your computer's photo library and slideshows on your TV (requires FREE TiVo Desktop software for the PC or Mac)

When your home network is connected to your high-speed Internet connection you can:

  • Rent or buy over 20,000 TV and movie titles from Amazon Unbox™ to view on your TV
  • Download free music videos
  • Access millions of songs with the Rhapsody music service
  • Listen to radio stations and podcasts
  • View family and friends' photos from Photobucket or Picassa Web Albums on your TV
  • Share home videos with family and friends' to view on their TiVo DVRs
  • Get free video downloads - things not available on TV - from leading providers
  • Bring your favorite videos from popular Internet feeds to your TV

What you need

You need both a TiVo DVR and a subscription to the TiVo service*, along with either an existing phone line or broadband connection, a TV source (cable, antenna, or satellite**) and, of course, a TV (HDTV or standard TV).

* Minimum 1year TiVo service plan required. No functionality is represented or should be expected without a paid subscription to the TiVo service.

** Satellite only works with the TiVo Series2 DVR, and does not support HD

Multi service discount

Multi-service discount is a TiVo service policy that discounts the monthly TiVo service fee for those with more than one eligible TiVo DVR on the same account.