Rants and Ramblings: random commentary about culture, media, politics, technology and whatnot.

tivo, week 3

So I've had the DVR for three weeks now, and I love it.

So much that I've already filled up the hard drive and been forced to erase stuff. Must figure out how to transfer shows from the DVR to videotape next.

It's refreshing to be able to sit down in front of the TV and have shows to watch that I actually want to watch, instead of whatever crap is actually on at the time. I have hundreds of channels now that I have digital cable, but I rarely channel surf anymore.

(My only gripe is that the recording interface is a bit stupid. If I want to record The Office on BBC America, I can either record a single airing of it or all airings -- not just the 9 p.m. Sunday airing. And since the show is re-aired multiple times over the course of a week, I'll wind up with multiple copies of the same episode, so I have to be vigilant about deleting.)

Apparently, I may have this new affliction to look forward to now. From Wired's "Furthermore" column:

For those consumers desperately seeking another technology addiction, relief may be in sight. The TiVo television recorder was supposed to free viewers from the prison of living their lives according to the TV schedule. But many users lament that the device has rendered them TiVo-obsessed. "I love my TiVo and get separation anxiety when I spend too much time away from it," admitted one economist who frets over whether her shows are being successfully recorded. Other TiVo devotees struggle with the burden of all the recorded shows waiting to be watched. "I get to the point now where I skip going to the gym so I can keep up with watching Dawson's Creek reruns," confessed a financial consultant. Yet despite all the TiVo-related tension, many users still say they can't imagine life without it.

Yikes.

However, I assure you, I won't be skipping the gym to watch Dawson's Creek reruns. If you find out that I am, I ask now that someone put me out of my couch potato misery by taking away the DVR. No gizmo is worth that kind of shame.