TiVo Premiere

Four tuners ; Excellent phone and tablet apps ; Streams video and traditional cable on a single box

Not a whole-home DVR ; Missing some popular streaming sources ; Parts of the UI are still slow and in standard-def

TiVo continues to stand head and shoulders over provider-issued DVRs, but it still falls short of the expectations we had when it first launched.

THX-certified video optimization tool ; Can record 4 shows at once ; 2TB of storage ; Supports major Web media services ; Networked TiVos can access content from each other

Can't access cable service's on-demand video ; Doesn't work with satellite TV ; Very expensive hardware and service

While its ability to record 4 shows simultaneously and its search and streaming media support impress, the TiVo Premiere Elite suffers from lack of support for cable providers' on-demand media--and it's very pricey.

Excellent integration of web services ; Fantastic new HD interface

Software feels slightly unfinished ; Slightly sluggish performance at times

Though not as polished as it should be, the TiVo Premiere is still the best DVR on the market and leagues better than the typical DVR from your cable company.

Revamped, faster, high-definition (720p) interface. More robust search function with integrated online features. Video playback in background during search. 30-second skip is improved. Box is more compact. 320GB hard drive is larger than most...

CableCARD is still required for cable systems. Still requires extra paid subscription. Interface is faster, but there's still some waiting involved. Main screen searches titles and actors, but not keywords. True on-demand support is only available on...

The TiVo Premiere is a good upgrade if you're already a TiVo HD or Series3 user, and an even-better upgrade if you still have an older Series2 TiVo DVR. If you're satisfied with the service on your cable company's DVR, however, that's likely to be a...

Mega featured remote for TiVo. Replicates TiVo search functions on iPad

Only works on TiVo Premiere, no support for Series 2 or Series 3/HD. Must be on LAN for full functionality. iPad only. No video playback to iPad. You Tube search should give you option to view on iPad. Guide only in TiVo format

If you already have an iPad and TiVo Premiere, you must download the new TiVo app for the iPad. It's free, and if you're on your LAN, it's pretty well featured. Unfortunately if you have an older TiVo or an iPhone, you're out of luck.

Spiffy user interface, access to lots of online content, dual tuners, can add an external drive for more storage, can save programs to PC and burn to DVD

More expensive initially than cable DVRs, won't work with satellite TV, no support for video on demand, requires CableCards, early termination fees on monthly plans

If you currently own a Series3 HD TiVo, should you ditch your old box and upgrade? I wouldn’t yet advise it given the experience I’ve had so far with the Premiere. The advances of the Premiere’s new Discovery Bar, the always-active PiP window,...

The new TiVo Premiere units are slimmer and sleeker than previous revisions, with simple, colored circular lights on the front to show you if the unit is on or recording a program, or what actions you may be performing with the remote. Sadly, the handy...