I decided to cancel after listening to the MacCast podcast for Feb 3. This special edition of the maccast was devoted to Apple TV. Adam interviewed Ara Derderian of the HDTV podcast.
I have a standard def TV with high rez. It can benefit by digital cable but isn't techically HDTV or even EDTV as far as I know. So, it won't work with Apple TV. Sometime this year I expect to buy a new HDTV, but it will probably be in the second half of this year.
End of story. Until I have an HDTV, Apple TV makes no sense.
The main benefit of Apple TV is to let you play your iTunes content on your HDTV. That's a benefit but I'm not planning to purchase all my content via iTunes. I'm also going to be buying DVDs. I'll be getting content from Youtube perhaps.
I may still buy an Apple TV once I have an HDTV, but I'm not sure. I'll wait and see what all my options are at that time.
Ara says he is really happy using a dedicated Intel-based Mac mini with a 750 gig Newer Technology miniStack hard drive and elgato eyetv plus Remote Buddy which set him back $1200 but he feels he has exactly what he wants that way. Right now that combo is priced above my tolerance level, but I'm sure the prices will be dropping steadily for this kind of functionality.