Roku does not do free Hulu. I sent mine back for that reason. AFAIK no media device will so you need a computer feeding your TV if you want to watch free Hulu.
No media box can do “Free Hulu”; it is part of the licensing requirements. So Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Roku, Internet TVs, Blu-ray Players, Tivo, Boxee, WD Live, and any other boxes I didn’t think of all do Hulu Plus and not Free Hulu. Note that this “Hulu Plus” isn’t exactly the same as Hulu Plus on your computer either; some shows cannot be shown on Streaming devices. You have to either use a computer directly, or use something that uses a computer as an intermediary into the streaming box, like say Playon (http://www.playon.tv) which lets you get regular Hulu, ABC/NBC/CBS/Fox .com sites, and many more to a big list of supported devices such as Roku, PS3, Xbox360, etc.
I don’t have much to add. I did learn to have two separate user profiles on my laptop: one with my standard laptop resolution, the other with the largest icons I could get for when it’s on my tv screen.
I downloaded a free app called Unified Remote that lets me use my smart phone as a remote for the computer. It uses the wireless signal to connect the two devices, so I get variable connectivity at my house with the signal having to travel through a brick wall, but it works fantastically at my parents’ house. I also have a wireless mouse and keyboard.
I just have antenna TV (and a DVR)
I get the major networks plus MeTV, ThisTV and MyNetworkTV (or something like that). Occasionally I will get DVDs of TV series (Game of Thrones)
I wouldn’t mind NetFlix (or similar), but for now I have enough television.
Brian
I’ve been working on my cable-less setup for almost 10 years now. I built a computer to use in my bedroom before I moved out, including a surround sound system. I used it to watch Netflix discs and videos (although I don’t think there was much online video content back then). I had a remote control from ATI.
When I moved, I had the computer set up in my living room as my television, with a wired keyboard and mouse (and still the surround sound). Then I got a bigger CRT monitor. Then I hooked it up to a 27" CRT television, and got a wireless keyboard and mouse (still had the remote).
A couple years ago I switched to a 42" LCD television and built a nice computer with agood looking case and Windows 7 and a Blui-Ray drive. Got a new remote, kept the wireless keyboard and mouse. Got an entertainment center that fits everything perfectly (keyboard and mouse live on the top shelf, computer under the tv). Still have that same surround sound system. I’ve got a set of rabbit ear antennas that gives me like 20 channels if i want to watch broadcast TV (thank Og the Browns are still on broadcast).
I let it auto-update Windows. I have it auto-downloading torrents of tv shows. I use it as a media server, since it has all the media (one could do this by ripping all of one’s DVDs instead of downloading torrents). All my media plays on Windows Media Player, or VLC. I use it for Netflix. I use it as a stereo (got those cool speakers!) I use it for Pandora. I could use it for free Hulu and for Amazon streaming if I wanted. I use it for watching YouTube when my friends visit.
I think the final cost of my build was like $800, including the OS.
I find it very useful and very versatile to use a computer as your entertainment center. If I wanted to switch to components now I’d have to buy a smart blu ray player (making sure it had Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, Amazon and YouTube, and could work off an external HDD for archives) and a new surround system with a receiver. I’d have to pay for Hulu Plus. I’d have to give up my torrent habit :-/
I do think that having a smart BD is the way to go if you don’t have a computer to use. More useful than Roku (it plays BD and DVD). You just have to make sure it has all the channels you need. If you can get one to play files from a HDD or a thumb drive, you’re really in luck.
Don’t forget the antenna for the TV, though! There is some crazy-ass stuff on the broadcast HD channels in the middle of the night. At least around here.
Does ESPN stream those? Might be worth the little bit of hassle if you’re not talking about too many games.
I’ve seen threads like this before, and I’m also tempted to cut the cable. One thing is holding me back: HBO. Apparently they are not interested in playing nice with the various streaming or web-based viewing options (other than HBO GO, which is just another way of viewing the same content that you’re already paying for).
So if I cut the cable the only way I can see the next season of Newsroom or Game of Thrones is to wait for them to come out on DVD, and I’m not sure I could do that.
Another fun option for people who don’t have cable, but have friends who insist on having cable, is to buy a Slingbox and get one of your friends to let you hook it up at their place. It’s a device that lets you watch your (or your friend’s) cable stream over the Internet.
You can control the channel from the Slingbox app on your computer, but the tv will be tuned to whatever channel you put it on. So if you tune to ESPN, the tv will be showing ESPN. Or if the person owning the TV tunes to HBO, you will be watching HBO on your device.
Anyway, if you can’t get rid of ESPN or HBO, and you have a buddy that will always be watching the same games or HBO shows you want to watch, then Slingbox might be a good option for you. Heck you could even give your buddy a few bucks to keep their HBO subscription up.
I’m with you on that one. I’ve already decided if I cut cable, it will be after the current season of Justified. So, I’m both happy and sad that day is only a few weeks away. 
They’ve streamed them in the past… once in a while. Nothing that I can rely on week after week. Mostly I just have to miss them or go to a bar that is broadcasting the game.
Hulu Plus.
If you really feel like those shows are worth the money you’re spending then great. But do think about it in objective terms - cable prices vary but in my area, basic cable is ~$50 and HBO is $16. So that’s $792 per year, which adds up to a pretty sweet little vacation every other year. Which, for me is way better than GoT without waiting.
Now like I said, if you really love those shows $800 worth(or whatever it costs you), than I can understand keeping cable. The question is, do you?