Start off by choosing your TiVo device:
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TiVo EDGE Series, TiVo BOLT Series, TiVo Roamio Series DVRs, TiVo Premiere Series DVRs, and Series 3 DVRs can use a DVR Expander to add more recording space.
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Series 2 users can adjust the video recording quality to increase storage space.
I have TiVo EDGE Series, BOLT Series, TiVo Roamio Series, TiVo Premiere Series, or Series 3 Device
If you have digital cable, changing the Recording Quality has no effect on recordings from either standard or high definition digital channels. TiVo BOLT Series, TiVo Roamio Series, TiVo Premiere Series, and Series 3 devices record digital channels (Digital and HD) in their native format. Since recording bitrates are variable (and are largely controlled by the broadcaster, cable, or satellite provider), the amount of space any given recording will take up can vary greatly.
If you find that you need to add more space to your DVR, consider adding a TiVo-certified external storage device. For information, see DVR Expander FAQ.
For updates and enhancements about Recording Options and User Interface on TiVo Experience 4 devices, see also TiVo Experience 4: My Shows and How to Change Recording Options.
I have a Series 2 DVR
You can increase the time available for video recording on your TiVo DVR, much the same as you can choose standard play (SP) or extended play (EP) when using a VCR to tape a program. The DVR, however, offers you four levels of video recording quality:
| Best | Records the best video quality but can record the fewest programs on your box. | Sports, Action Movies |
| High | Records better video quality than Medium. It will reduce the amount of recordings your box can record. | Dramas, Films |
| Medium | Records better video quality than Basic. It will reduce the amount of recordings your box can record. | Talk Shows, Animation |
| Basic | Basic video quality and can record the most programs on your box. May appear grainy. | News |
To set the recording quality, go to the Recording Quality screen. From TiVo Central, go to Messages & Settings > Settings > Recording > Recording Quality.
When setting your recording quality, keep these points in mind:
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The video recording quality that you select will be used for all recordings unless you select a different quality at the time you schedule the recording. This screen also shows you how many hours of programs you could store if you recorded all programs at the same quality level
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To select a different recording quality at the time you schedule a recording, choose Options and then choose the quality setting you would like to use for that recording. You can also change the recording quality for recordings you have already scheduled by selecting the program from the To Do List and then selecting Options.
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The number of recordings you have set for Keep at Most in your Season Passes and auto-recording WishLists can impact recording capacity. Reducing the number of recordings that are kept can free up space for other recordings. If you have recordings set to Keep Until I Delete, these recordings may prevent new recordings. You can change the Record Quality, Keep Until and Keep At Least settings from the Recording Options.
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Higher quality levels require more space than lower quality levels, so it is a good idea to choose the quality level based on the type of program. The table above shows suggested quality settings for common types of programs, but you should experiment to find the quality settings that you prefer.
Recording capacity
These are approximate hours and should not be relied on for actual capacity.
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Device
| Quality Level |
| | Best | High | Medium | Basic |
| Series 2 (80 hours box) | 23 hours | 37 hours | 48 hours | 80 hours |
| Series 2 (140 hours box) | 38 hours | 62 hours | 83 hours | 140 hours |
| Series 2 DT (80 hours box) | 23 hours | 37 hours | 48 hours | 80 hours |
| Series 2 DT (180 hours box) | 53 hours | 85 hours | 112 hours | 180 hours |
