I got fed-up with every provider same as you. Currently we are getting all our programming via broadcast and using one of these. (pdf) I’m using Vista as the OS and have 4 gigs of RAM and 2 500gig and 1 250gig Hard drives. I put together that flier for a friend that wanted something like mine. It’s hooked to the last remaining TV set in the house. I replaced the others with tuner cards for the SO and kids computers. As soon as 36" monitors drop a little in price that TV is history as well.
Being able to watch one show while recording another doesn’t make it dual tuner. However, being able to record 2 shows at the same time does make it dual tuner. I was referring to the original Series 2, which was single tuner. The dual tuner Tivo they much later came out with is called a “Series 2 Dual Tuner”, so you’re right a Series 2 can record 2 shows at once.
I think they’re coming out with too many models, it’s confusing which support antenna, which support satellite, which support cable, which support CableCard.