TiVo

TiVo Reviews

Our promise. We provide a buying advantage with verified reviews and unbiased editorial research.

About TiVo

TiVo Reviews

ConsumerAffairs has collected 188 reviews and 612 ratings.

Recent
  • Recent
  • Oldest
  • Most helpful
Any
  • Any

A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.

How do I know I can trust these reviews about TiVo?
  • 4,429,541 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
  • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
  • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
  • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
Staff

Reviewed Jan. 6, 2024

First, let me start off by saying, I liked TiVo back in the day, when I first got my boxes, which I have two, I regret buying them now, their voice command does not work on the apps I called twice, and still doesn’t work, I used YouTube a lot and the voice command doesn’t work, so I have to type in everything which takes longer. It’s a pain, however it worked my first got it. I talked to customer service. There is helpful as nothing. They didn’t care so I’m finding a different product so I can actually use it. If I give TiVo below zero, I would as a rating, don’t buy their product. It’s a rip off.

Thanks for your vote! Report
Staff

Reviewed July 31, 2023

My first Tivo was the Bolt and lasted about 6 years. I bought the Edge about 1-1/2 years ago and the hard drive died. I called on 07/26/2023 and they said they would replace it for $49.00. I said, "Fine and can you expedite it, seeing that it affects every tv in my house". Not to mention I lost all my recordings. They said their system isn't set up for expediting shipping. She said it will take 4-6 days. It is now Monday 07/31 and I called to get a status. They haven't even processed it yet and said hopefully today. I said, "So you don't do expedited shipping so that's another 4-5 days." She didn't even care that I've been a customer for almost 10 years and that this is unacceptable. I'll be switching over to a Streaming Service soon.

Thanks for your vote! Report

Not sure how to choose?

Get buying tips about Streaming Services and Devices delivered to your inbox.

    By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Thanks for subscribing.

    You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.

    Reviewed July 11, 2023

    We have been long term TiVo subscribers. We purchased TiVo Edge and were unsure if we would keep it or give it as a gift. We were currently using TiVo Bolt that we were very happy with. The TiVo Edge was never activated. This was confirmed by TiVo. However, they were billing us every month for service on this device. I was unaware that my husband had paid for the annual renewal on the Bolt so I didn't think anything odd about the monthly charge until I called to cancel my subscription.

    At that time, they asked which one I was cancelling. I told them I only had 1 box (Bolt). They informed me that I was paying for the Bolt and Edge even though the Edge had never been activated. I asked for a refund of the charges for the Edge and they refused. They acknowledged it had never been activated or used but still insisted I had to pay for service I never received. I have escalated this issue and am waiting to hear back. Buyer beware. TiVo was an excellent company but the new company Xperi is terrible.

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Customer ServiceReliability

    Reviewed July 5, 2023

    Approximately, one year ago - May, 2022, my one year old TIVO EDGE failed. Hardware issue. After hours and hours and hours on the phone with TIVO support they refused to replace the defective hardware. Finally, in June, 2022 after posting a review here, they did (link to review below). Now approximately one year later I have the exact same hardware failure (on the replacement TIVO EDGE that TIVO sent out. I now need that TIVO EDGE replaced. TIVO Customer Service (again) is not being responsive so I thought I'd update my customer service experience here in the hope that TIVO reads this and escalates my case to actually have someone who can assist. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/entertainment/tivo.html

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Staff

    Reviewed May 26, 2023

    This company has changed hands and this new company is corrupt. My TiVo Bolt quit after 3 years, they wanted to sell me a new one, I told them I had a new Tivo Premier new in the box. This ** company told me they didn't have the technology to connect it. So, I plug it in and it's just searching for a signal!?? They don't have the technology? This Tivo box is smarter than them! ;D These new people are idiots and crooks!

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Customer Service

    Reviewed Jan. 21, 2023

    Save yourself weeks of frustration and avoid TiVo. TiVo sent me a "Renewed" Mini Lux for $49 + tax, without explaining to me that they were sending me a used unit and not new. They also did not tell me to keep my old power cord and remote, so I returned them as a complete set along with my non-working unit. My replacement Mini arrived and I saw that it was "USED", there was no remote control and there was no power cord. TiVo then sent a replacement remote and a power cord that took several days to arrive, and the power cord doesn't fit the TiVo Mini Lux they just sent me. Now, I'm still waiting to have a new power cord sent that actually functions with my TiVo, but of course have to wait for them to open next week, in order to make my request.

    They charged me tax on their mandatory $200 DEPOSIT. I'm also still waiting for my refund of the deposit that I had to put on the return, even though I can see by my FedEx receipt that it arrived on Thursday. Their chatbot says it could take up to 30 days for my refund. We'll see about that! Horrible Customer Service! ZERO stars would be more appropriate. PS Their TiVo units run hot and overheat, so you'll need to replace them... which is a horrible experience.

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Customer ServiceReliability

    Reviewed Sept. 7, 2022

    I’ve had TiVo boxes for about 15 years now. TiVo was never the best, just the gorilla in the market. They have very poor support and they buckle and dime you for everything. Most DVRs can stream to other TVs, TiVo makes you buy an add on device. TiVo also began adding commercials before recordings a couple years ago to make more money. The device itself has issues that TiVo is aware of but they don’t fix it in software updates hoping you’ll just get frustrated and upgrade to a new device AND pay for a new service plan. Now, beginning this month (September of 2022) they plan to invade my privacy by selling all of my personal data, from what I watch and how I watch it to my address and phone number! That’s the last straw. I’m ditching all of my TiVo devices and switching to a new DVR that does everything a TiVo can do and SO MUCH MORE. Bye bye TiVo leaches!

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Reliability

    Reviewed Aug. 12, 2022

    Don't bother. I had the TiVo Edge OTA for less than a year. (9 months). They offer a great deal of a lifetime for the "lifetime of the box" however if the box is defective (such as mine was). They will charge you a $49.00 fee for a new box (even though they admit it's defective). But they'll offer a discount of $25.00. If you get really upset they'll tell you they'll refund you the $25. To your credit card. But you have a "lifetime subscription." How are they going to refund your credit card? I'm surely not going to give them my card (previous billing issues before the "lifetime subscription").

    I'm convinced they offer this "lifetime subscription" then send you a box they know is defective so they can recoup the loss. Too many other DVR's out there to deal with their tactics. I wasted $400 so you don't have to. When you demand they cancel your subscription and remove you from all email lists they claim it takes up to 5 days. I'm seriously considering contacting an attorney for a class action.

    Thanks for your vote! Report

    Reviewed Aug. 8, 2022

    When buying a Tivo Edge, you need to understand there are two types. 1 is for cable and the other is for OTC or over the air (Antenna). I had bought the cable version in March and the decided to discontinue using cable. Guess what with the Edge Cable you can't attached it to just be over the air using and antenna - very costly mistake. Beware and fine another option. I was with Tivo for 20 years, so much for brand loyalty..

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed May 22, 2022

    Been a TiVo customer since 2005. TiVo Edge purchased last year. Defective. Customer service could not be worse. Don’t buy. TiVo could be the worst brand out there. They are awful and their customer service reps are the worst. I can not say enough bad things about the company service and brand.

    Thanks for your vote! Report
    Loading more reviews...

    TiVo author review by Jonathan Trout

    TiVo first appeared in 1999 with the DVR. Today it offers the TiVo BOLT, a streaming device that turns your TV into a smart TV by integrating your favorite streaming apps like Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV and more. The BOLT comes in a 500GB, 1TB and 3TB storage capacities. That comes out to be about 75, 150 and 450 hours of show and movie storage capability. Pricing starts at $199.99 for the 500GB BOLT, $299.99 for the 1TB and $499.99 for the 3TB.

    • Monthly plans: You have three options when it comes to TiVo’s service plans. You can pay a monthly service fee of $14.99, an annual service fee of $149.99 or an all-in service plan for a one-time payment of $549.99. The monthly plan comes with a one-year commitment and a $75 early termination fee.

    • Cable and streaming integration: By using the TiVo BOLT box instead of your cable provider's box, you can integrate your cable TV subscription with your streaming services subscriptions and puts them all in one place. This lets you avoid monthly rental and DVR fees from your cable company.

    • Avoid commercials: SkipMode on the BOLT makes sure you never have to watch commercials again. Not only that, but you’ll never have to fast forward commercials again. One button lets you skip a whole commercial break and resume your show exactly where it picks up again.

    • 4K ultra high definition compatible: 4K UHD TVs are slowly creeping into the market as the next big thing. TiVo BOLT is 4K compatible so you can get all the clarity, color and detail your new TV offers.

    • Recording features: TiVo BOLT lets your record four shows at once for up to 150 hours of HD programming (for the standard model). Watch your recorded shows on your TV or your mobile device.

    • Multiple devices: You can stream content from the TiVo BOLT on up to ten TVs as long as you have a TiVo Mini for each TV ($150 each).

    by Jonathan Trout ConsumerAffairs Research Team

    As a member of the ConsumerAffairs Research Team, Jonathan Trout believes having access to free, comprehensive information on products and businesses is vital to making smart purchasing decisions. He focuses his efforts on researching and reviewing multiple brands across a variety of industries, with the goal of writing unbiased buyers guides to help inform consumers on impending purchases.

    TiVo Company Information

    Company Name:
    TiVo
    Website:
    www.tivo.com