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.

What they said, pretty much - TiVo captures everything that comes in through the antenna. Hulu (and iTunes and the rest of the Internet) fills the gaps left by cable TV, and Netflix is for movies and random older stuff.