TIVO - need subscription?

[Slickone]

I was thinking about getting a PVR for my parents but didn't realize they had a monthly subscription. Why do they require one? Don't you just record regular TV like a VCR? Is it required?

 

[bmacd]

subscription is dependant upon the model you purchased. The older (maybe series 2) don't require a subscription, but subscribers highly recommend it. I'm also interested in PVRs and have done a lot of research, and now with both PVR manufacturers (replay and tivo) requiring subscriptions, i'm torn between the two, probably leaning towards a ReplayTV.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Slickone]

So what do you get with a subscription that you wouldn't otherwise?

BTW, I'm not set on Tivo, but just put that in the title since I asked this question awhile back w/ just PVR in the title and got no responses (thought maybe some may not know what PVR means). Actually I was thinking of getting one for my mom since she records so many TV shows she keeps wearing out VCRs. But if it requires a sub, I probably won't do it.