I think my wife wants a TiVo

Scott Manning
December 14, 2004 | Comments (5)

After missing two episodes of Lost, one episode of Desperate Housewives, and several college-course programs, not all is well in the Manning house.

There was the initial frustration from the first several incidents, but it didn't stop there. Dawn found out about the magic of Tivo. Apparently, the thing will never miss a show. Along with that, it will record shows that it thinks might interest you, and stop/play/rewind live telecasts. It does all this without video tapes.

Basically, the thing will replace me.

I thought for a while that I could just get my cheap-ass VCR to work. I mean, how hard can it be? I rank about an 80 on the computer geek scale. I was able to set the clock. The problem is that in order to properly set the VCR up to record, you need to switch the TV to channel three, follow the green-screen instructions for picking a time and channel, then turn off the VCR, and stand on your head.

For whatever reason, there are times when we do everything just right and it still doesn't record. The biggest problem we always have is turning the VCR off. I'm not sure why I thought I could accomplish this amazing feat since I can't even remember to shut the cabinet door in the kitchen.

Sunday night, Desperate Housewives was on at a "special" time. This was due to the Eagles game. Dawn and I had previous plans and were going to miss one of her favorite shows (I swear she makes me watch it).

Upon coming home, we realized that the kitchen cabinet door was wide open and the VCR had not been turned off.

I blame my parents. Clearly, my dad's daily instructional lessons to which he repeated over and over again "IF YOU OPEN IT, CLOSE IT", did not have the affect he desired.

My wife realized what happened and that was it. I got to hear about how our 65-dollar VCR is crap, she's tired of missing shows, and TiVo is the cure for cancer.

I can't figure it out, but I think she's dropping hints.

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Comments (5):

1) Posted by: YoungHistorians
December 14, 2004 8:21 PM

Scott's back!!!

2) Posted by: Scott
December 15, 2004 10:15 AM

Yes. From the dead.

3) Posted by: Ryan Guill
January 1, 2005 5:01 PM

I too missed Desperate the last time. It was enough to make me want to go get one, but not enough yet to make me want to pay the monthly fee. If it wasnt for that I would have it already. Sure would be nice though...

4) Posted by: natalie
January 5, 2005 2:42 PM

YEAH!!!

5) Posted by: PhilB
January 7, 2005 6:10 PM

I can understand her being upset having missed LOST, but Desperate Housewives..........oh well :)

A cheap way to get this service in our area, Phoenix is with Dishnetwork Satellite TV. I have a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), which is what TIVO is, though mine is a different brand, that comes with my Dishnetwork receiver. An all in one unit. I pay only $4.95 a month for the DVR service. Since Dish is so much cheaper than cable, $29.95 a month for the basic service which includes 60 some channels including the local channels, and there are no taxes on Satellite like cable, I pay about $35 a month for satellite TV and the recorder.

Installation and equipment for two rooms with no contract of any length for free was the deal I got in on. They are always having some deal going on. Direct TV uses TIVO but the basic package (though you get more programs) is more expensive, and so is TIVO compared to my service.

I can record up to 100 hours on it and record live TV and do all the other nifty things. Worth a look, especially for the price.