Panasonic DMR-HS2 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder/PVR with 40 GB Hard Drive (Silver)
A little pricey but in the end worth it.
Let me address a couple of the gripes on this webpage about the problems with the recorder.  One, does not record tapes as well as the original.  I would recommend selecting a better recording resolution on the recorder, it has four and the top two recording levels will definetly allow you to produce a better backup of your VHS tapes then the originals, due to the 3D digital comb filter.  Two, why would anyone want to put music on a DVD, and even if you would how many tricks is this dog supposed to do?  Three, only records to DVD-R and DVD-RAM, well only with the advent of the new dual format recorders for computers has any one player been able to record to both + and -formats, but I have a brand new dual format recorder and I still only use the - format, in fact, looking at many of the DVD players today they prefer the - format.  Four, can't figure out how to hook it up to the television, if you can't hook it up with the s-video, component out, or just plain old coaxial perhaps you should take a course.  Videophiles that just aren't happy with these connections should seek professional counseling.  <BR>I wanted a keyboard along with it to enter titles to programs, remote works as good as it can, with directional arrows.  Also, would have liked to have seen a faster transfer rate using the DVD-R, like a 4x, instead of the 1x, but what I usually do is set it up to record and just forget about it, come back it is done.  But I am starting to get greedy like some of my other fellow reviewers:)  Great machine though, even for the price, replaces a high-end DVD player, recorder, TIVO, and can archive your pictures!