I'm using Grabit - a VERY easy to use newsgroup download tool - with a $25, 65GB 'block' worth of download with Astraweb, based on russs15 recommendation in the alt.binaries.starwars thread. I've also got a backup block account with Octanews, a bit dearer than Astraweb, but useful for filling any missing files.

The whole monthly subscription thing was what put me off using newsgroups, so discovering these one-off payment 'block accounts' that some providers offer was what swung it for me. Its a great and inexpensive way to dip your toe in the water of newgroupdom, with block starting as low as $8, and theres no 'use by' date, so the block account last until you've used all your gigabytes it up - handy if your ISP caps your monthly download limit.

I highly recommend both newsgroup providers, and Grabit, none of which I would have found if it wasn't for the alt.binaries.starwars thread.
Cheers guys