i have not watched TV at home in 15 years.

however, it has recently come to my attention that if i could really select my viewing, there is some interesting stuff on.

my question to you is: is there an internet source for TV that is by subscriber and commercial free? OR
alternatively- is there a way i can download programming from specific stations or on specific subjects without having a passive viewing experience of waiting for them to provide me with content?

i know there must be.
sid has mentioned such things.
all comments welcome.

You won't get completely free of advertising as most of the providers depend on it to keep their service running. However, with that said, I go to [url=www.justin.tv]www.justin.tv[/url] for most of my TV/movie watching. I also go to Canada's major networks for up-to-date news and some TV series. In the US, there are several broadcasters (blocked in Canada) with the most notable being HULU. I think Netflix now has a subscription streaming service but it's been getting the shaft from Comcast so I'd look into it first before signing on.

Widescreen TV's can accept a computer input (DVI) and some computers have a TV output (HDMI) so hooking up a computer to a TV is a simple procedure. The issue would be the audio... most of the widescreen TVs have audio built in but they sound like a tin can so you will probably want to hook up your computer's audio to an HD receiver.

Also... there is Over The Air (OTA) HD TV as well: http://www.adstechnologies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=8  This is an peripheral that allows you to tune in to OTA broadcasts AND record them - virtually turning your computer into a PVR. 

not too worried about audio.  it is kinda my area.  ;]

I'm only warning you about the limits of the technology. I was seriously disappointed with the audio on my widescreen monitor. It sounded like one of those old Sony transistor radios from the 60's.

yeah.  i am going to channel my audio through a breakout box and into my receiver.