> Way cool. So it's already in SVCD format.
>
> How about the guide service, do you have to subscribe to that to get a
Tivo to work, or is that just a convenience?

Nope, it works just fine.  The guide server does provide all the cool stuff
it does.  Without it you might as well just buy a couple VCR's, or a
computer with a TV card.  The guide service really adds to the value of the
tivo allowing you to just setup what shows you like... you dont care about
what time they are on, or if some ball game has pre-empted your show, you
just want the show no matter what time it moves to.  The new tivo software
can also be set to only record the new shows and leave off the repetes so it
doesn't waste your space and time doing that.  One kinda cool feature that
I've only used once but it's very cool that its there is from time to time
you will be watching a commercial about an upcoming show.  If the channel
provides the nessessary extra data a little green thumb will pop up on the
screen and you can tell the tivo to record that show you are watching a
commercial for with just one button.  Kinda along the lines of interactive
DirectTV for those of you that have that :)
I just bought the lifetime package that has a 1 time charge.  All you have
to do is keep your tivo in good working order and it will definatly pay for
itself over time.  Mine has definatly paid for itself sine ive had mine for
over a year and a half now.  I would bet that smokers would have a higher
death rate on their systems and it might not be worth it for a lifetime
subscription, or you can do like me and just pop a new hard drive into it
every year.  I tend to upgrade it from time to time and put the old drive
into a computer where I can monitor it a little better.

Brian Cluff