A blog entry by Steve Smith wonders how many people are, or are likely to, "cut the cord" and shift from TV service to getting their TV content via Internet. He talks about a small experiment where 5 families' regular cable box was replaced by IP-connected boxes (like AppleTV, Roku, Boxee, GoogleTV, Xbox 360). He reports that most families reacted negatively, largely because cable was always there, but that most of the IPTV experienced delays in downloading, or uncertainty in terms of what to choose to download and watch. One implication - family TV viewing is still primarily a passive pastime. Another - in these early stages of development, IPTV serves more as a complement than a substitute.