Depends on what you want to do. I really, really like having TiVo, and rarely have I actually wanted to record anything off of it. (especially now that it's upgraded!) The quality of the tapes I've recorded is not significantly worse than the TiVo's quality itself (it is compressed, remember), so you may just want to go with the combo player and a standalone TiVo unit. Just remember, the subscription goes with the box, not the user.

I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!