When US based respondents were asked to chose from a list of 8 technology items that they cannot go without, the DVR came in at 2nd place (81%), just behind the mobile phone. Items included in this list were; mobile phone, radio, iPod, DVR, landline telephone, home theater system, photo printer and games console.
When US based respondents were asked to chose from a list of 8 household items that they cannot go without, the DVR came in 3rd place (62%), trailing only the washing machine and the microwave. Items included in this list were; washing machine, strimmer, microwave, DVR, coffee maker, blender, hairdryer and dishwasher.My two Tivo's. I can't imagine TV without a TV anymore. My six year old asks me to fast forward shows that aren't even recorded and can watch any of his favorite shows easily because of the TiVo.
At first my wife was against the DVR but now she can catch any of her shows when she is ready and we can watch shows after they started and finish ny the end.
TiVo DVR rating high on my list...absolutely. Once you have one you can't imagine how you watched TV without one.
Tim
You can have my mobile phone...but not my DVR! If I had to watch commercials, I would simply turn off the TV. It's unbearable.
Bought one for my Grandmother last year, gave her some tutorials on how to use it, now she can't live without it, just like me. 
It's all about video-on-demand, and I went one step further than a DVR. I have a 500GB hard drive hooked up to my DVD player's USB port, and I watch all my favorite TV shows in DivX format...commercial free. All 9 seasons of Seinfeld, complete seasons of X-Files, Stargate SG-1, Simpsons, Futurama, etc. Like a video jukebox. 
I don't know about "can't live", but I would stop watching TV if DVRs went away.
Haven't you guys heard of Media Center? This is supposed to be a website for computer geeks, you should all be well aware of it.
I hardly use my DVD/HDD/DVR recorder. The shows on TV are mostly crap. I only watch a few shows; and when they are not on, I really don't watch TV. Could I live without? Yea, I could easily.
