Panasonic DMR-E80H Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with Hard Drive , Silver
Superb recorder for reasonable price
The Panasonic DMR-E80HS performs exactly as I had hoped.  The multiple inputs, front and back, make it possible to transfer programs from other media, such as VCR tapes and cameras.  The documentation requires a bit of thinking at times, but the quality of the machine makes the effort worthwhile.  For programs off of satellite, for example, capturing the programs at the EP speed (extended speed) is more than acceptable.  Great machine at a good price.  I only need a VCR now to watch old tapes.