Toshiba RD-XS34 DVD Recorder with 160-GB Hard Drive
Throw out the VCR
I am groovin' with the Toshiba.  In fact, I am now having trouble watching regular TV, because of all the comericals.  So I am moving toward recording everything ahead of time so I can zip through the comericals.  And I mean zip. <br />The unit is not for those who won't read a manual.  This is pretty sophisticated piece of equipment that can do many things, you have to be willing to sit down with the manual, and work through how to do editing and even the setup.  I am using the TV Guide program to do recording, and it is working great.  I have yet to burn a DVD, but am hoping that goes as well as everything else. <br />The only 2 downsides.  The machine is a bit noisy, even when turned off, and when you are recording a TV show, you can't watch another live broadcast.  However, you can watch an already recorder show. <br />At $400, this is a great deal.