More notes on TiVo: The Linux parts of the operating system are open source. You can even download open source code. However the TiVo application is closed source and proprietary to them, as is any modules relating to Broadcom hardware. The hardware is also closed source, so there is no practical way to use TiVo hardware as a DVR without using TiVo software. Yes, for the pre-change Series ones, the TOS is different and allows manual recording without subscription. I was just making it clear that that isn't general to all TiVos, that post "change" ones basically need a subscription to work. Lifetime can be two things, at least according to some sellers. The first is "Lifetime Basic", which is the no-cost Basic level of service on Toshiba and Pioneer branded DVD combo units. Really, they should not be marketed as such, because it can be confused with real Product Lifetime, which is the lifetime service all TiVos can get (called Lifetime Plus on Toshiba/Pioneers). The Canadian thing was quasi-legal because at the time TiVo wasn't (yet) selling service to Canadians. It became quasi-illegal (as illegal as violating TiVo's TOS would be), in September 2005 when TiVo launched 7.2 software that had Canadian postal code entry and welcomed Canadian subscriptions (and at the same time required one year service commitment).