Personally, I just use my Vista Media Center, record the shows and convert them to iPhone/iPad videos using DVRMSToolbox.  Nice thing is I record them in HD, and get great quality.  I can even stream on 3g or Wifw by copying the converted files over to dropbox, and can stream them from any computer, iPad, iPhone, etc.
Yes, it takes a bit to setup, but with some scripting, it's all automatic.  DVRMSToolbox automatically copies to my dropbox drive on my windows PC, and my iPhone/iPad immediately has access.  I can even download the video file from dropbox so I can watch when I'm not near wifi or 3g.