The search is over – HDTV’S quest for the perfect companion ends with TiVo HD, now widely available in retail.

New research confirms the qualities people seek in companions mirror the qualities embodied by the TiVo HD DVR, the perfect match for HDTV

ALVISO, CA .— TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced consumers have widespread access to TiVo® HD, the new affordably priced high definition DVR, at retailers across the country. Now, fully stocked at leading retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City, TiVo HD has staked its claim as the ultimate HDTV companion since launching for pre-order in late July.

With even more consumers ready to bring HDTV into their living rooms, the question of what makes for a perfect companion to HDTV is even more relevant. A recent study* found the personality traits people seek in a companion directly reflect the qualities that TiVo HD provides for HDTVs. The lesson is clear: human attributes that make for good companions in “real life” can be parlayed to technology, a truism passionately espoused by over 4 million TiVo subscribers. Respondents chose from a list of attributes, with the top qualities selected all illustrating why TiVo HD and HDTV are perfect companions on the level of Lucy and Desi, Marge and Homer or June and Ward. The results:

* Fun to be with 62.4%

Whether rating favorite shows with the peanut remote’s Thumbs Up™ and Thumbs Down™ buttons, the TiVo character offering a big smile as you sail through on-screen menus, or even that classic ‘be-doop’ sound, TiVo, now in HD, isn’t just another pretty picture—it’s amazingly fun to use.

* Caring 60.5%

If caring really does mean sharing, then TiVo HD proves claim to this category. TiVo HD learns your interests and shares them with you, offering the best entertainment experience in broadcast TV and broadband video programming that only the TiVo service can provide. TiVo even scours the Web’s largest selection of movie and TV downloads from Amazon.com and delivers them straight to your TV, yet another way TiVo shows it cares.

* Dependable 57.7%

Go ahead – sleep in, stay out, or both! You can trust TiVo HD to manage your entertainment schedule each and every day, 24/7. TiVo is always working it’s tail off to find and record the programs you care about most, sometimes suggesting new shows you might also enjoy. And, the TiVo service even adjusts recording times for programs that suddenly change schedules, so you never have to worry.

* Has similar interests 45.8%

Inspired by shows and movies it knows you already love, TiVo will often surprise you with suggestions for new programs you might enjoy—when there’s available space to record additional shows. The TiVo service never bumps previously scheduled recordings without your permission.

* Intelligent 44.1%

If there was an SAT in show searching, TiVo HD would have a perfect score. TiVo is the only DVR smart enough to help you to find and record programs in broadcast and cable television as well as broadband video using the coolest and easiest to use search tool on the planet. Using the super-smart Swivel™ search, TiVo finds how your favorite actors are connected to each other in new fun ways, linking one show to another through common actors, directors or even genre, starting with one star to find an entirely new constellation of entertainment. Smart, huh?

* Family-oriented 37.5%

With one-of-a-kind service features such as Home Movie Sharing and TiVo KidZone, TiVo not only makes it easy to connect with family and friends, sharing memorable moments and milestones through photo and video montages sent directly to the Now Playing List of other TiVo subscribers, but it also gives parents an easy way to find, pre-approve, and record just the programs that match their values. Now, mom and dad can rest assured that they never again have to worry about what their children are watching.

“Considering all of the human qualities TiVo embodies, it’s no wonder people have talked about TiVo as a family member or close friend ever since it’s initial introduction,” said Clent Richardson, Chief Marketing Officer at TiVo. “Today, we are proud to introduce another member of the TiVo family, TiVo HD, with all of the qualities that make it the perfect companion for HDTVs, allowing consumers to maximize their high-definition television and entertainment experience.”

TiVo HD’s widespread retail availability comes at a time when consumers are increasingly seeking to upgrade their television experience, investing in HDTV sets at a record rate. TiVo HD, available for only $299.99, is a digital cable-ready set-top-box that works seamlessly with almost any cable provider in the U.S, enabling the latest TiVo exclusive service features such as Movie & TV Downloads from Amazon.com, Home Movie Sharing and universal Swivel™ search.