The part you quoted isn't about doing things to your tivo. For the part that is, are all of my gadgets that are built with non-standard screws also "not really mine"?
With a TiVo (as with an iPod, a VCR, a PlayStation) you are either pretty much happy with what it does or royally screwed (with non-standard screws).
If you are happy with your TiVo, then good for you. If you are not, you cannot bend it to your will. It would be much better if users could do that, but, unfortunately, we are not that lucky.
You can always sell your TiVo and build your own DVR.
If you can't do that to your TiVo, is it really yours?