I have an AIW Radeon as well and came to essentially the same conclusions WRT software and "VCR+" -- figured I'd get the Tivo for the next 4-5 years and then check to see how things are looking.

I would like to still use the AIW VCR function to cap some stuff direct to PC (say when the Tivo is busy) and I'll probably keep using it occasionally. I'd never give one to my aunt, though!

FWIW, I think the newer AIW 8500 comes with an infrared remote. [edit: I looked. The remote with the 8500 model I looked at was not IR, but RF]