Is it worth it? I went to cancel service on my non-lifetime service'd Tivo a while back and they offered me a new HD model for free. I did have to commit to 2 years and pay the $20/mo service fee.
It's so much better than the DVR that TWC gives out costs a little more and I can control it via my iPhone or iPad easily.
I have read about setting up my own HTPC (home theater PC) and even considered a Mac Mini for it (which I have) but the Tivo is the 'easy' button. It's just a fantastic DVR - they have it right and I have been an extremely satisfied customer for nearly 10 years now.
I have had a couple of failures but they are servicable. (
TiVo Superstore | Upgraded TiVo DVRs, Remotes, Parts, Repairs sells parts). On one I had to replace the hard drive and at that time I upgraded it. Then a few years later the power supply died - I replaced that for like $20 and it was good to go for another few years.
I disliked the other DVRs from the cable and satellite company so much I stuck with the SD Tivo and just did without HD for a while.
I heart Tivo.