[Doogie Howser]

OLD BOY ~ "I think there maybe something wrong with your box, Richard. Have you reported these problems, and if so, what did they say? I think a new Tivo may well resolve the major issues you have reported."

Yeah, exactly - there would appear to be something wrong with your particular individual box, Richard. My TIVO works pretty much instantly for all of the things that you have listed above. As Old Boy says, report it and see if you can get a replacement, which I'm sure would sort out at least most, if not all of your issues.