Editing TiVo (section)

===Functions===
TiVo DVRs communicate with TiVo's servers on a regular basis to receive program information updates, including description, regular and guest actors, directors, genres, whether programs are new or repeats, and whether broadcast is in High Definition (HD). Information is updated daily into its program guide from Rovi ([[Tribune Media Services]] was used prior to September 2016<ref name="Engadget 2016">{{cite web | title=TiVo is pulling the plug on Series 1 DVRs September 29th | website=Engadget | date=2016-08-16 | url=https://www.engadget.com/2016-08-16-tivo-series1-lifetime-over.html | access-date=2021-05-24 | archive-date=May 24, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524220424/https://www.engadget.com/2016-08-16-tivo-series1-lifetime-over.html | url-status=live }}</ref>).

Users can select individual programs to record or a "OnePass" (formerly "Season Pass") to record all episodes of a show. There are options to record First Run Only, First Run and Repeats, or All Episodes. An episode is considered "First Run" if aired within two weeks of that episode's initial air date. OnePasses can also "bookmark" shows from internet streaming video services and show a combined view of recordings and bookmarks.

When users' requests for multiple programs are conflicting, the lower priority program in the OnePass Manager is either not recorded or clipped where times overlap. The lower priority program will be recorded if it is aired later. TiVo DVRs with multiple tuners simultaneously record the top priority programs.

TiVo pioneered recording programs based on household viewing habits;<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wingfield |first1=Nick |last2=Saranow |first2=Jennifer |date=February 9, 2004 |title=TiVo Tunes In To Its Users' Viewing Habits |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB107627909024923840?mod=_newsreel_5 |access-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506141718/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB107627909024923840?mod=_newsreel_5 |url-status=live }}</ref> this is called TiVo Suggestions. Users can rate programs from three "thumbs up" to three "thumbs down". TiVo user ratings are combined to create a recommendation, based on what TiVo users with similar viewing habits watch. For example, if one user likes ''[[American Idol]]'', ''[[America's Got Talent]]'' and ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'', then another TiVo user who watched just ''American Idol'' might get a recommendation for the other two shows. As of 2023, Tivo Suggestions are no longer supported. The Thumbs Up/Down buttons can no longer be used to rate programs.

The amount of storage capacity for programs is dependent upon the size of the hard drive inside the TiVo; different models have different sized hard drives. When the space is full on the hard drive, the oldest programs are deleted to make space for the newer ones; programs that users flag to not be deleted are kept and TiVo Suggestions are always lowest priority. The recording capacity of a TiVo HD DVR can be expanded with an external hard drive, which can add additional hours of HD recording space and standard definition video recording capacity.

When not recording specific user requests, the current channel is recorded for up to 30 minutes. Dual-tuner models record two channels. This allows users to rewind or pause anything that has been shown in the last thirty minutes&nbsp;— useful when viewing is interrupted. Shows already in progress can be entirely recorded if less than 30 minutes have been shown. Unlike VCRs, TiVo can record and play at the same time. A program can be watched from the beginning even if it is in the middle of being recorded, which is something that VCRs cannot do. Some users take advantage of this by waiting 10 to 15 minutes after a program starts (or is replayed from a recording), so that they can fast forward through [[Television advertisement|commercials]]. In this way, by the end of the recording viewers are caught up with live television.

Unlike most DVRs, TiVo DVRs are easily connected to [[home network]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/howto/getconnected/howto_connect_dvr_internet.html|title=How to connect your TiVo DVR to your network and the Internet|website=Tivo.com|access-date=October 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025010359/http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/howto/getconnected/howto_connect_dvr_internet.html|archive-date=October 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> allowing users to schedule recordings on TiVo's website (via TiVo Central Online), and transfer recordings between TiVo units (Multi-Room Viewing (MRV)). Former and now discontinued features included the ability transfer recordings to and from a home computer (TiVoToGo (TTG) transfers), play music and view photos over the network, and access third-party applications written for TiVo's Home Media Engine (HME) API.

TiVo added a number of broadband features, most of which are no longer offered. These include:

Integration with Amazon Video on Demand, Jaman.com<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/pressroom/pressreleases/2008/pr2008-10-23.html|title=TiVo Joins with Jaman to Deliver the Best of the Big Screen to Living Rooms Across the Country|website=Tivo.com|access-date=November 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122143512/http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/pressroom/pressreleases/2008/pr2008-10-23.html|archive-date=November 22, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Netflix Watch Instantly,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/pressroom/pressreleases/2008/pr2008-10-30.html|title=TiVo and Netflix Announce Partnership|website=Tivo.com|access-date=October 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102110457/http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/pressroom/pressreleases/2008/pr2008-10-30.html|archive-date=November 2, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> offering users access to thousands of movie titles and television shows right from the comfort of their couch. Additionally, broadband connected to TiVo boxes can access digital photos from Picasa Web Albums or Photobucket. Another popular feature is access to Rhapsody music through TiVo, allowing users to listen to virtually any song from their living room. TiVo also teamed up with One True Media to give subscribers a private channel for sharing photos and video with family and friends. They can also access weather, traffic, Fandango movie listings (including ticket purchases), and music through Live365. In the summer of 2008 TiVo announced the availability of YouTube videos on TiVo.

On June 7, 2006, TiVo began offering TiVoCast, a broadband download service that initially offered content from places such as Rocketboom or, The New York Times; now there are over 70 TivoCast channels available for TiVo subscribers.

In January 2005, TiVoToGo, a feature allowing transfer of recorded shows from TiVo boxes to PCs, was added. TiVo partnered with Sonic in the release of MyDVD 6.1, software for editing and converting TiVoToGo files. In January, 2007, TiVoToGo was extended to the [[Macintosh]] with Toast Titanium 8, Roxio software for assembly and burning digital media on CD and DVD media. In August, 2005, TiVo rolled out "TiVo Desktop" allowing the copying of MPEG2 video files from PCs to TiVo for playback by DVR. As of June 5, 2013, TiVo stopped distributing the free version of TiVo Desktop for PC in favor of selling TiVo Desktop Plus.<ref>[http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2675/kw/desktop] {{dead link|date=March 2019}}</ref> Users who previously downloaded the free version of TiVo Desktop could continue to use the software without paying a fee for the Plus edition.

;Parental features
TiVo KidZone (later removed in the Premiere and Roamio devices) was designed to give parents greater control over what their children see on television. This feature allows parents to choose which shows their children can watch and record. It also helps kids discover new shows through recommendations from leading national children's organizations. TiVo KidZone provides a customized Now Playing List for children that displays only pre-approved shows, keeping television as safe as possible.