isetts.com

Posted from a question I got from a forum... here's my take:

I have used the Tivo Series 2, DirectTivo, Tivo HD, Comcast, Verizon
Fios, Cox Cable, and Time Warner, and Windows Media Center XP, Vista,
7, and some strange TV recording functionality that ATi built a couple
of years ago... it did have integrated TV guide.

Out of all of those for ease of use - you go with the cable companies
box.  If you have other people in the picture like a wife and kids -
they need it to be simple.  Simple is the cable companies cable
solution.  If you can get Fios, they have the best looking interface
out of the rental box group, but it's still a far cry from Tivo.  And
this would be the cheapest upfront cost solution as well.

For absolute everything on the planet Television viewing, go with Win
7.  At it's heart it's a PC so you can modify it to your hearts
content.  Just be aware that sometimes stuff breaks because it's a
PC, and you will need to fix it.  If others are watching TV with you
- this will be unacceptable.  It can do music, Hulu, Netflix, Digital
Cable, OTA Cable, Standard Def, can record from a satelite box (SD)
and can have 8 tuners all told.

That leaves Tivo.  All that it has going for it is the interface.
It's the best that is out there bar none.  It's easy to understand,
it's tries hard to make you happy, and it's the interface I wish all
cable boxes would buy.  The downside for Tivo now is the Cable Card.
If you have a cable (non-fios) it's nearly impossible to get to work
reliably.  Believe me I tried.  I tried for four months.  With
mulitple cable cards, and multiple SDV devices, and it never seemed
to work well for me.  I would have to reboot the Tivo (15 minute
start up time to... annoying) about 2 times a week.  It seemed
anytime the Tivo lost power I would need to reseat the cards too.
And restart the SDV device.  At this point in time I cannot reccomend
you go with Tivo, as much as I do love it, unless you are a masochist.

So choose wisely.  Easy = Cable Box, Awesome = Win MC 7, Hardup for
Tivo = Cable Box until they nail the Cable Card / SDV thing out.