I don't know anything about DVD recorders, but I do have Dish Network's DVR (which does the same things basically as a Tivo) and I have to say (like the others) that it changed my life. However, it changed my life in a way I didn't expect. I now watch far LESS TV than I used to. The reason is that once I got used to skipping commercials my tolerence of commercials got very low. Now I WILL NOT channel surf, because that means starting a show with no buffer, and therefor no ability to skip commercials. So watching TV has become a very intentional thing, almost always involving a pre-recorded show, but even when it doesn't it is something my wife and I plan to do now. This makes for far les drivel in my life from the almighty TV and I never miss shows anymore.

So that's my input. I love this thing, though not as much as my empeg!