12.01.2008 — Some clients during these tough times will be less inclined to replace broken components, opting instead to get them fixed.

What should an integrator do when he needs to fix an inexpensive “throwaway” item like a DVR?

One option is to use a new kit from DVRupgrade, a Chicago-based company that focuses on fixing broken DVRs, especially TiVo units.

The company's president and founder Lou Jacob calls it “TiVo Life-Extension Service.”

For the past nine years, the company has offered upgrade kits and services that increase the recording times of TiVos. He took things one step further when he started to fix the units.

“Try walking into a local electronics store to repair and upgrade a broken TiVo,” says Jacob. “They will try to sell you a new one. We have found that almost all TiVo failures are hard drive-related and can be easily fixed with a simple hard drive replacement.”

Fixing DVRs may not be lucrative for integrators compared to selling a new unit, but dealers will likely earn lifelong clients.

Jacob says repairing a TiVo unit is especially important for clients that have lifetime subscriptions to the service.

There are a few different methods to repair and upgrade your TiVo. One inexpensive approach is a “Quick-Install Kit,” where a dealer can install, revive and upgrade a TiVo in 20 minutes, according to DVRupgrade.

The kits start as low as $19.95.