Sorry fuji. I have to agree with FAST on this one.
I have Rogers Cable VIP package. Sure it's more than I'd like to pay but it offers lots of channels both my wife and I like watching together, as well as the ones only she or I like. It also includes an HDPVR with a Terabyte of storage that records up to 8 programs simultaneously. We simply set it to record the shows we like and it automatically records them every week. At the end of 3 years I can buy the HDPVR for $1.
For what we watch, which includes news and live sports, it's the best choice for us at the moment. I run the HDPVR into my 7.1 home theater system then to my Plasma along with a Blu-ray player all through HDMI. The sound and picture quality is fantastic. I also have my laptop connected by HDMI which gives me the option of watching movies I've downloaded or YouTube videos.
We're currently making a list of the channels we frequently watch as there's lots we have no interest in so when the pick and choose option becomes available in December, we may be able to shave a bit off our monthly bill.
I've read the various alternatives but I haven't seen anything that comes close to providing the programming, ability to record multiple shows simultaneously and the picture/sound quality that we currently get. Not to mention the convenience and ease of use. When you factor all that in, it's not not an outrageous monthly expense.