I have a CycleOps fluid trainer -- I've been happy with it, but I have never tried others. I think equally or more important than the trainer is getting yourself a spot where you can place the contraption. I find one hour on the trainer is much, much harder than two hours outside. Find a spot where you can 'videotize' yourself: TV, a fan, I would suggest a mat (muffles the sound and, most importantly, catches sweat).

In terms of videos, what has worked best for me are the ones from the Sufferfest. They are relatively cheap (my favorites are Downward Spiral and Angels), set to good music, nobody talks to you. I picked a Robbie Ventura one and there was far too much talking, an overload of information, generic techno music that I could not stand for more than 30 min. Anyway, the training videos work for me to get a structured session over watching a random movie or TV.