As a Beginning investor, would TD Ameritrade or Scotttrade be better?

Fidelity is good.

But between those two probably TD.

if you don't want the hassle of choosing, selling, etc the stocks you will invest in, then try T Rowe Price, Fidelity or a similar company

Most of the online brokerage houses are pretty much the same. Open an account with one that either has the lowest commissions <per trade price> or the one that asks for the lowest initial investment (read as the smallest amount of money you need to open an account).
It might also be an idea to find out if any of them have an actual office near your home, so you can speak with a real person when yo need advise or have questions.

I'd choose Fidelity at $4.95 a trade; and sometime down the road if you want to invest in a mutual fund they have plenty to choose from.