I love my TIVOs. Yes, plural. We have two and they have transformed the way we watch television. This article isn't about proclaiming love for TIVO. You have to experience that to understand.

This article is for all those TIVO lovers out there that suffer like I do from featuritis. Featuritis is the lack of certain key, critical features that TIVO should have on all their machines now.

To be fair, the line of what is a TIVO and what isn't a TIVO can become blurry. Different manufacturers make boxes that use the TIVO software for handling personal video recording. Add into the mix the fact that my provider, DirecTV, is responsible for their own TIVO implementation and you end up with a very muddied TIVO field.

Still, there are some base features that are missing from any TIVO platform that should have been included by now:

1. Undelete. Holler if you've been here. You've been watching your TIVO for a few hours and you accidently delete the episode of CSI that your wife wanted to watch. Your in trouble. TIVO should be able to get you out of trouble. Yes, I understand that the Tivo Web option has something like this, but for those of us without that or those with it without lightning fingers, this isn't a solution.
2. Don't delete my programs because you think you'll need the space. This is a feature I am sure has gotten everyone at one time or another. TIVO is a smart cookie and it'll think ahead and try to ensure there is enough space on your drive to get the programs you want, but it's too smart sometimes. It'll go ahead and delete the space it thinks it needs even before it needs it. This is a very frustrating experience for someone who's out of town for a week.
3. Smarter repeat recognition. There is a time when you can be too smart. With all the data TIVO has assembled on the programs shown shouldn't it know that a program from 1998 isn't new? Sure, it might be new to you, but come on. Where is the option for easily selecting programs by year when activating a season pass?
4. Bulk message deletion. Yes, I know I haven't made the daily call for 100 days. I am not stupid, so if you think I've happened to miss the 50 prior messages, don't send 50 more. Oh great, you did. As a penance I now have to delete over 100 messages by hand. This must be the MPAA's way of getting back at me for time shifting.
5. Three thumbs. Who has three thumbs? That's TIVOS rating system for programs you like and don't like. You can rate a program with a thumbs up or thumbs down and to make sure the program really feels your love or hate, you can give up three thumbs up or three thumbs down. From what I can tell the rating only impacts training TIVO to pick programs for you. Why can't I use this data for other things like only displaying programs I've rated or, gasp, setting a priority before you delete my programs early (see number 2).

TIVO is wonderful. I'll say that over and over again, but why aren't these five simple things already included? Forget giving me video over the net. Give me a damn recycle bin.

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