TiVo logoI’m a huge fan of Windows Media Center. I really do think it’s one of the best things Microsoft’s done in years, and they really nailed an intuitive, easy to use alternative to TiVo’s best-of-breed DVR. Foolishly, I expected to see some Vista CableCARD machines — the holy grail of PC HD DVRs — in January or February with the launch of the latest version of Windows. Obviously consumers like me have had no such luck.

I’d definitely considered a Series3, especially since we’re already paying for service on a Series2 for all our standard def recording needs — the Comcast box we have, as I’ve said in the past, is godawful, and we use it as little as possible. But with the promise of a Vista CableCARD machine constantly around the corner, it was hard to justify the outlay for a fancy new TiVo — especially considering that I wanted a new media PC anyway, and you don’t pay annoying monthly service fees with Media Center.

Then I saw that the Series3 dropped to $500. Considering the two CableCARD tuners for a PC will cost in the neighborhood of $400 – 600 alone (not including the cost of the special CableLabs certified boxes they must be tied to), it was kind of a no-brainer. Sure, it stung a little bit plunking down, but the fact is due to ATI and CableLabs related delays, Vista has yet to deliver the goods. And there’s TiVo, lying in wait with what’s still a fantastic device and service.