I just hook my stereo into my TV. I don't even know how loud my TV can go.

I have some sorta-generic TV from Radio Shack I bought a year and a half ago. Crossing my fingers that it will live a long life.

Yeah, I just had to steer my brother-in-law Samsung direction based on this conversation.

Why do you buy Vizio #3 in that scenario? Are they crack-laced?

I think that it's still under warranty, so she keeps getting them replaced.

I'm glad I remembered the Samsung rec, because there were a lot of nice looking Vizios at Costco when I was looking.

I KNOW!

LG has sure improved in consistency and quality since they started coordinating their internal purchasing [link] maybe that also lead to quality controls.

ita,

for your sister:

[link]

a place to share files. They claim they are already profitable (unlike drop.io).

Thanks, LeN. I'll pass it on.

Okay, for those of you with Tivo and Hulu Plus and/or Netflix, I have a question: what are you still Tivo-ing? That is, what specifically do you use your Tivo for that you aren't getting through either Hulu or Netflix?

I am still weighing all options and am eager for anecdotal data.

I use TiVo for current tv shows - many of which are not yet on Netflix. I do not have Hulu +.

I also transfer video from my computer to TiVo to watch them on TV.

I have Netflix and TiVo, and I TiVo everything not on premium channels. TiVo doesn't replace in-time series watching.

One of the things I am trying to decide is getting rid of my (non-HD)cable boxes. I'd replace with either nothing, or with Tivo premiere. I got a new little flat panel for the bedroom and am experimenting with the cable line directly into the tv, instead of cable box. I had the tv's digital tuner run through to capture all of the digital channels, and the picture is SO much better (and in HD on a lot of the channels) without the cable box. I receive far fewer channels this way, but the only thing I ever really watch in the bedroom is Netflix (HD Roku) and occasionally sports. So far I don't miss the other channels at all, so I plan to remove the cable box this week.

In the living room, I've got a Wii that I never use. Not ready to get rid of it yet, but it's there. I LOATHE watching Netflix through the Wii, and that's the only thing I've used the Wii for, which is pathetic (Roku is in the bedroom). I've got a series 2 Tivo (lifetime sub) in the LR. And a cable box. But again, because I don't have an HD cable box, I tend to watch the live tv using the TV's digital tuner (for the HD), rather than the cable box.

I currently am on a cable plan that includes the boxes, remotes, internet and preferred line-up all for under $90. That plans expires in March. So it's not really just about the money savings for me, but for savings combined with truly targeting my use for highest efficiency - with as many HD channels as possible. I now know what people mean when they say that standard is just not acceptable once you're used to HD.