Once you have a DVR, it becomes irresistible. In fact, getting a second (or more) suddenly seems reasonable. We now have 4 devices recording various things for us:

• 2 ReplayTV devices
• 1 Media Center PC
• 1 HD capable DVR from the cable company

Decadent as that sounds, they come in handy. There are nights when multiple things we watch air at the same time, and we have them picked up by one of those devices. The Replay TVs are the nicest ones; we can stream between rooms, and skipping ads is much more pleasant with 30 second skip. The cable box DVR is truly annoying, but it allows recording of HD content, which neither the Media Center nor the Replays can do. And yes, I know that Media Center PC's can stream - but then I'd need one in the family room, and the fan is loud - the ReplayTV is quiet. Maybe when Apple has a full solution a new mini will be an answer.

At this point, I don't even know what day most of the shows I watch actually air. This kind of behavior explains the attempts by the industry to create what Doc Searls calls value subtracting solutions. The idea of disabling channel surfing during ads is just too brain dead for words - never mind us DVR using folks, the entire population of TV viewers would barf at that. The bottom line is, the advertising model for TV has never worked that well - DVRs simply bring the long simmering worries about it straight to the surface. Like the RIAA with DRM, the industry is fighting tooth and nail to hold onto the old model, but it's not going to work - for the simple reason that the advertisers are starting to understand the problem. I expect to see more and more subscription models (moving down from cable to individual shows).