There is also code on the internet for converting an old PC into a DVR. You have to replace windows with linux and install a video card, audio cards and a larger hard drive. But it supposedly works better than what's out there now.Oh, man, where??!?! Finally, a use for all those boatanchor machines I have as doorstops...
I haven't checked this out, but here's the link out of Popular Science:
www.cadsoft.de/vdr
Let me know if this works. I have an old boat anchor also.