As far as speed it is amazing. Once I Rent or purchase a movie. a box pops up within ONE minute that it is ready to watch!
I haven't a clue how they compress and uncompress HD content that fast. Naturally it is streaming in the background until downloaded but it never stops to “catch up”.

We have it receive the movie with the built in WiFi from a Fios wireless router downstairs.
Perhaps the fact that we are using FIOS is the key.

As far as speed it is amazing. Once I Rent or purchase a movie. a box pops up within ONE minute that it is ready to watch!
I haven't a clue how they compress and uncompress HD content that fast. Naturally it is streaming in the background until downloaded but it never stops to “catch up”.

We have it receive the movie with the built in WiFi from a Fios wireless router downstairs.
Perhaps the fact that we are using FIOS is the key.

And lastly, this subject is continually fascinating to me because a huge
library of on demand video distributed over the Internet is technologically
possible, yet all this corporate jockeying behind the scenes over who gets
to be the gatekeeper keeps changing the equation. I have no doubt as
consumers we'll continue to lose in the short run (Hulu blocking Boxee is
only one small skirmish). Also on the radar are bandwidth caps, the cable
companies coming up with their own streaming video offerings, and (fingers
crossed) Apple releasing an new Apple TV.

So of course all the shows you want are available via Hulu. There's no threat there to the network's lifestyle. For Apple to get access to that content, they'd have to convince the networks that your scenario described above, with you dropping cable for all-streaming, all-the-time subscription plan, WOULDN'T happen. Because if that were to become the norm for TV watchers, TV networks would no longer need to exist. Shows could be produced independently, distributed via Apple, and survive based on quality, not corporate backing and giant budgets. The way indie record labels are now given equal opportunity to the big four.

In other words, the people would be in control of their collective entertainment destiny. And no one would have to pay the million-dollar salaries of NBC/ABC fat-cat execs. Would you let that happen if you were CEO of CBS?

There's no doubt in my mind Apple wants to make the Apple TV a better solution. But TV execs know their recent history. They watched Apple practically take over the music industry over the last few years. They don't want to see themselves similarly marginalized. So they offer competing services better deals, in order to keep the power centered around themselves. If no one company wins the distribution fight, they all have to keep coming to them for content.

And don't think the cable companies aren't putting enormous pressure on the networks, either. They have a lot to lose in this battle, as well.

The customer will continue to lose in the short run, but eventually, digital distribution and the end of traditional advertising as a way to fund TV is inevitable. Sooner or later, we'll all be streaming shows on-demand, watching no commercials, and paying a-la-carte. And everyone in every show will be drinking a Pepsi, going to Starbucks, eating at MacDonald's, etc.