Customer Reviews
still works well 
2007-05-15
bought mine in 2002 (with lifetime service) and still works great. had to replace the hard drive 3 times now but the reason i bought this model is that it has a much better remote than the Tivo Series 2's and is just a cleaner design.
Still working great after almost 5 years 2006-09-10
I bought my SVR-3000 in late 2001 or early 2002, and it's been working perfectly the whole time. It's been to 5 states with me, been hooked up to more antennas, cable and satellite systems than I can remember, and works perfectly with the USB wifi adaptor I got for it.
The remote control is wearing out a bit, so at some point I'll have to find a new one of those. But still, after all this time it's been one of the best tech purchases I ever made.
Worked well, then kaput 
2006-02-01
I was happy with my sony until it stopped working after nearly 2 years. I didn't want to pay more money to fix the unit plus the additional 15/month for tivo. I ended up renting a dvr from my cable company. The dvr can record 2 programs simulatneously. There is a 9.95/month fee and no hardware costs. I think tivo will have to rethink its services because I can't think of a reason to go back.
The problem is with the TIVO service 2004-06-13
I previously reviewed this at 5 stars, but there is a huge problem due to the fact that this is a sony unit and tivo software.
Whenever you have a problem with the TIVo in anyway, you must first decide who to call. If it is a hardware problem you call SONY to get it fixed. If it is a software problem you call TIVO to get it fixed. This is only a slight problem. Yes it would be better if you call the same number everytime, but it really isn't a big deal. The big problem lies whenever you have a SOFTWARE problem. TIVO will ALWAYS try and pass the buck off to SONY. Their customer support is awful, and sony customer support is much better. However just because Sony has better support doesn't mean they have the know how to take care of software problems that occur with the TIVO service.
I would much prefer for someone else (like SONY) to provide the software and service to this unit. It doesn't look like this is ever going to happen so you are stuck with the TIVO service.
My advice to anyone having problems is this:
It shouldn't be too difficult to figure out if it is hardware or software. If it doesn't even turn on (for example) it is a hardware problem. If it is a software problem call TIVO. The number isn't available anywhere at www.tivo.com because they want you to call sony first. Sony is aware of this, so it is easier to get the number from www.sony.com or the number listed for sony at www.tivo.com. Once you get tivo's number, it will be difficult getting a live operator because they want you to get your questions answered in the FAQ section. Once you get to talk to someone at tivo (wait is only about 5 minutes) they will put you on hold and come back on the line and say something like "I just talked to my supervisor and he/she told me it was a hardware problem and you need to call sony". Insist that it is a software problem, you will then be placed on hold for a tivo technical assistant (this is who you want). Generally you will be on hold for 45 to 60 minutes. Once you get to talk to them, they will be able to help you. The only difficulty is getting them on the phone because they do not have a direct number and anyone else will refer you to sony.
SONY SVR-3000 = 5 stars
TIVO SERVICE = 1 stars
overall = 3 stars
One Problem After Another! 
2004-03-07
I am a Sony fan, generally, and even own some Sony stock, but not based upon my experience with this unit! Four months after receiving it, the hard drive failed, and I had to send it back to Sony for repairs (at about $90 and had to pay shipping!). It was sent back and worked fine. Now, 5 months later, same problem!
We also have another TIVO recorder and have had no problems. I do not recommend this player!
No going back 2003-08-18
Record up to 80 hours of television programming with this Sony's digital network recorder with TiVo service. Add the SVR-3000 to your entertainment system and wash away fears of interruption during your favorite program as you watch what you want when you want. Pause live TV and watch instant replays at the touch of a button. Additional features include high-speed picture search, frame-by-frame advance in forward and reverse, and a status bar that displays your location in a recorded program. The Season Pass function records every episode automatically, and TiVo's suggestions record programs similar to your favorites. Sony and TiVo put the power of the hour in your hands. Take control of your TV using the DNR with TiVo service - you won't miss a show.
Had to send the unit for repairs 2003-05-16
Tivo is a great service when it works, as is this DVR.
Unfortunately, the service stopped receiving program information after 10 days and now I am having to send the machine back to Sony for repair. Actually, Tivo says it is a Sony hardware problem. Sony says it is a server problem or some other Tivo service problem. But Sony will still let me send the unit to them to check. Now I am wishing I had a Tivo unit so they would not be able to pass the buck.
UPDATE: Sony Customer Service said it would take 6 days to get it back from repair. It actually took 4 weeks. (Tivo give me a one month credit for their service). I had to pay to send it to the only Sony Service Center in the country that repairs it.
But the good news, it does work now. So, I am happy and keeping my fingers crossed that it will keep working. The Sony Service Center said they made an "electrical adjustment".
Love my TiVo, just wish Sony would deliver on USB use! 2003-04-29
I love my TiVo, it was the best investment. I just wish I could use my USB ports on my box to output saved programs to a DVD writer, rather than to my VCR(old technology). Come on Sony, when is it going to happen? Instruction manual has no information on the use of the USB ports????
Great little unit 2003-04-24
I am currently getting digital cable and when I got this unit back in January 2003 my ONLY option was to use the infrared sensor. The infrared sensor is similar to a remote control as it transmits a signal to the cable box to change channels, etc. It is taped to the cable box so the tivo unit can change the channels on the cable box. The infrared sensor had SERIOUS problems with my cable. I missed about 25% of my shows due to the faulty infrared sensor set up. It mostly recorded the wrong channels. For example if I want to record channel 536, it might record, 53, 56, or 36, etc. (simply missing one of the digits).
The other option is the serial cable connection where it connects to the back of the cable box (if you have a serial port) and is able to change channels directly. This option only became available (for cable) in April 2003 when the new software for Home Media Option came out. Now I've switched to the serial connection and things are MUCH better. I never miss a show anymore and when I change channels using the remote control I can go through the channels MUCH faster.
If you are interested in getting this unit I would strongly urge you to use the serial connection as opposed to the infrared sensor (The difference between 5 stars and 2 stars). If you have cable or direct TV make sure you have a box with a serial port in the back of the box. For Direct TV, I've seen the serial port on some of the high end units (i.e. the HD direct TV receivers all have them). If you have to settle with the free (with rebates) direct TV receiver, it probably does not have the serial port and you might want to upgrade to one that does before you get this.
If you are using the serial connection, this unit gets 5 stars. The only drawback I see now is that the remote does not have a TV/VIDEO button. With the remote you are able to turn on the TV, turn up the volume, mute, but you can't switch VIDEO1 and VIDEO2, with the included remote. This is a big headache when I sit down after someone has just watched a DVD and I have to find another remote to change to VIDEO1.
Others commented on installing 2 hard drives to add to the memory. Understand that doing this voids the warranty and if you are a lifetime subscriber you will probably have to pay the fee ($249) again if something goes wrong with your unit. If you are still under warranty you might want to atleast wait until the initial warranty is up before installing another drive and voiding the warranty.
I would recommend this unit...
The absolute best Tivo available. 2003-04-21
I just wanted to mention one other reason why this is the best. This is the only 80 hr Series 2 Tivo that is designed to work with two hard-drives. This one therefore is easily upgradeable. Other Series 2 Tivos lack the appropriate power supply and brackets to support an additional hard drive.
