TiVo is a digital video recorder (DVR) developed and marketed by TiVo Inc. and introduced in 1999. TiVo provides an on-screen guide of scheduled broadcast programming television programs, whose features include “OnePass” schedules which record every new episode of a series, and “WishList” searches which allow the user to find and record shows that match their interests by title, actor, director, category, or keyword.

Series 1 TiVos were powered by an IBM PowerPC 403GCX at 54 MHz, and included 16 MB of RAM. “The CPU was actually designed for set-top box use.” 1, 2
Series 1 TiVos were powered by an IBM PowerPC 403GCX at 54 MHz, and included 16 MB of RAM. “The CPU was actually designed for set-top box use.” 1, 2





All standalone TiVo systems have coax/RF-in and an internal cable-ready tuner, analog video input—composite/RCA, and S-Video—for use with an external cable box or satellite receiver. The TiVo unit can use a serial cable or IR blasters to control the external receiver. They have coax/RF, composite/RCA, and S-Video output, audio is RCA stereo.3
All standalone TiVo systems have coax/RF-in and an internal cable-ready tuner, analog video input—composite/RCA, and S-Video—for use with an external cable box or satellite receiver. The TiVo unit can use a serial cable or IR blasters to control the external receiver. They have coax/RF, composite/RCA, and S-Video output, audio is RCA stereo.3



A TiVo custom ASIC. I’ve not been able to find any reliable information on the specs, purpose or usage of this chip.
A TiVo custom ASIC. I’ve not been able to find any reliable information on the specs, purpose or usage of this chip.



Mounted on TiVo’s motherboard is an IBM MPEG CS22 Decoder. This hardware converts the MPEG-encoded video that the TiVo records to what is displayed on the TV screen. This chip’s instruction set also included the ability to overlay the MPEG stream with graphics and text. This is how the status bar is displayed on the screen during recorded video playback and when the TV guide floats over live television shows.4
Mounted on TiVo’s motherboard is an IBM MPEG CS22 Decoder. This hardware converts the MPEG-encoded video that the TiVo records to what is displayed on the TV screen. This chip’s instruction set also included the ability to overlay the MPEG stream with graphics and text. This is how the status bar is displayed on the screen during recorded video playback and when the TV guide floats over live television shows.4







This TiVo shipped with a single 30 GB Quantum QuickView hard drive, which could store up to 30 hours of programming at Basic Quality. “Due to limitations of the TiVo OS in this model, these units can realistically only use drives up to 160 GB in capacity; they can hold two drives. With the maximum drive capacities installed, these units can hold up to 344 hours of programming at Basic Quality.” 5 This TiVo has been upgraded with two 160 GB drives.
This TiVo shipped with a single 30 GB Quantum QuickView hard drive, which could store up to 30 hours of programming at Basic Quality. “Due to limitations of the TiVo OS in this model, these units can realistically only use drives up to 160 GB in capacity; they can hold two drives. With the maximum drive capacities installed, these units can hold up to 344 hours of programming at Basic Quality.” 5 This TiVo has been upgraded with two 160 GB drives.





  1. Ken Fisher, “TiVo Personal Television Receiver,” Ars Technica, April 1, 2000, https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2000/04/tivo/2/ .

  2. International Business Machines Corporation, “IBM TO SELL CHIP PACKAGE FOR DIGITAL TV DEVICES” .11 May 2000. Internet Archive. https://web.archive.org/web/20000511001253/http://www-5.ibm.com/uk/releases/may97/97122.htm

  3. Wikipedia contributors, “TiVo digital video recorders,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TiVo_digital_video_recorders&oldid=1015215130 .

  4. Krikorian, Raffi. “TiVo Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools.” United States: O’Reilly Media, 2003. https://www.google.com/books/edition/TiVo_Hacks/OsT9uglnpZIC

  5. TiVopedia - Sony SVR2000