If you have DirecTV, many of the Tivos that work with it are hackable -- you do not have to get a standalone. I have a Series 1 Hughes that is hacked to allow transfers to my computer. I routinely transfer shows to my laptop for in-flight and at-hotel viewing. I even use VNC to and VPN to do the transfer from the Tivo to my home computer remotely, then transfer the final file to my laptop. As an alternative, a Slingbox will let you view shows from your Tivo (or, for that matter, live) remotely. Tivo hacking is not particularly difficult. If you're at all comfortable with your computer and its innards, it isn't too difficult.