I regularly have friends that ask me why they’d want a TiVo when Comcast/Time Warner provides the same features. I go on about the stellar user interface, home media options (photo and music libraries), and unlimited expandability. The truth is, this is why you want a TiVo over a cable DVR: cable companies control what you can time-shift.

I fast forward commercials. Can you? One day after the networks put the squeeze on the cable providers you may not be able to. It’s only going to get worse. Soon they’ll stop you from recording specific shows (already pay-per-view). Yes I know, TiVo is dying. So is Apple… now at $80 a share.