As far as I know, TiVo is a subscription service.. I'll look into the "something box" thing. Thanks.
I looked into this a little while back and the short answer is renting the Comcast box is by far the easiest solution. If you mostly just want to record Blazer games and always watch them on the tv you have connected to the DVR, the Comcast box is the cheapest and easiest solution.
It doesn't have the advanced internet features, sling-box type feature, media sharing, dual-room, cool Tivo UI, etc. But, getting a Tivo box will cost you money up front, PLUS you have to pay a subscription fee for the guide service and Tivo doesn't work well without it, PLUS you have to get a CableCard from Comcast (which they resist and act like there is no such thing) to unscramble the signal.
Then, if there is a problem with recording who do you turn to? If you have a Comcast DVR you get a replacement if there is a problem.
The other issue: in order to get OnDemand service (which our family really liked) you have to have a full cable box. So, if you get Tivo, you either lose access to OnDemand, or you have two boxes to deal with. Do you have 3 or 4 HDMI inputs to your TV? Comcast box; Tivo; DVD; maybe X-Box or Playstation.
I saw it as no middle ground. Either overpay Comcast for a low-end, limited feature DVR, but one that works perfectly with their TV listings (very important for DVR recording properly), and no up front cost and no repair problems, OR
move up to a PC based multi-media computer for those geeks that like to have the latest features, tinker with all the settings, repair their own equiptment, deal with all the software stuff, etc. and have the budget to spend a lot more than Comcast $10/month upgrade to DVR.
