I've never understood the economics of TiVo's hardware. It's essentially a headless computer, and there are plenty of those available for several hundred dollars which usually includes the damn Windows license, one of the most expensive parts, as well as some parts TiVo doesn't have, like an optical drive. By this point, ATSC and QAM tuners shouldn't be much more expensive than standard def tuners, and smaller-screen HDTVs sell for a lot less than $799. I'm curious to see how much HD tuners, which will soon be required, drive up the cost of DVD recorders and non-TiVO hard disk recorders, but the sum of the parts involved seems to add up to siginificantly less than the whole, even given that TiVo wants to maintain an premium image as well as make up for past losses.

Ditto, Ian.

I currently have two dual-tuner Series 2 TiVos. I loved them to death, and I was seriously considering a Series 3 for HD. With the recent hikes in service fees without locking into long-term contracts, paired with the increasing amount of advertising forced upon TiVo menus, I really couldn't justify it anymore.

I ended up building a new Windows Vista PC specifically for use as a Media Center, with no monthly fees, four tuners (2 ATSC, 2 NTSC), choice of storage size and a lot of the same features as TiVo (plus a few TiVo doesn't offer). Amazon Unbox already works with it, as does Vongo. I've had it for about a week, and use an Xbox 360 as a Media Center extender for easier integration with my home theater. Works absolutely perfectly for me. Now I can't wait for my 1-year agreements with TiVo to expire in March.

I love TiVo but the rising fees and incessant advertising was getting ridiculous.

It's TIVO's high monthly Fees which is the real killer IMHO.