Is it for your PC? If so, you can get a 16x dual layer DVD+-RW at newegg.com for less than 70$. that'll take care of you for HW, unless you dont have and 5.25" bays open for it, in which case, you'll want to get an USB or firewire enclosure for it (~ 30$ at newegg for a 5.25" usb2 enclosure).

What type of system do you have? PC? Mac?

If it's time to buy a new PC, most of the new models come with a CD-RW and a DVD-RW drive. I bought a bottom of the line Compaq Presario last year, it came with both.

eMac

Is there something that you can hook up to the tv too?

Ahh, if you want something to hook up to the TV directly, I can't help much. I have been drooling over http://www.tivo.com/2.1.2.asp though- Tivo with DVD burner built in.

srp:

yeah, but we're too cheap to pay for the service.

OJ,

Last Jan, I bought a top of the line Sony Vaio with a video card - it's basically TIVO with out the ease of use.

You plug your cable into the back of the pc and use a remote (included)that runs through your computer.

It came with two DVD players (only one was a writer) and every other possible bell & whistle for video and audio editing.

It takes some playing with, but it's pretty hot.

OJ:

TiVO, via DirectTV adds $5/month.

I, too, resented paying that. At first. There is such a thing as false economy.

Tivo is the best thing ever. Pay the 300 for the lifetime service (it was 200 when we got ours in 2001).

Jeff:

Direct TV? We have basic cable and that's too expensive....

BB:

Vaio's a computer though, isn't it? Do you have it just dedicated to tv?

Take a look at either www.hometheaterforum.com or avsforum.com, they have discussion groups for "htpc" which is home theater pc's. Most of what they write about is way too technical for me, but I'd bet if you post your question there you'll get a few answers fairly quickly.

OJ:

Lemme get this straight. You are the pumice actuator for a bona fide doctor, and basic cable is too expensive?

(Basic satellite costs about the same as basic cable, BTW)

http://www.epinions.com/content_124902280836

this is for a panasonic DMR-E100 DVD Recorder / Player which i think is just what you are looking for.

cjm:

Thanks! Here's the other one I've found that sounds good:

Toshiba RD-XS32 Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with 80 GB Hard Drive

Jeff:

She's an academician, not in private practice and we owe over a million dollars in loans.

Consumersearch.com is a great starting point for research into consumer electronics (and other goods). The site is a clearinghouse of reviews, and they do a nice job of explaining the features of the products reviewed.

HowStuffWorks.com has good layman intros: video editing, home theater, Tivo/DVR, Blu-ray discs, etc.

Your old employer is still hiring. Come back, all is forgiven!

Go to www.xlr8yourmac.com

Direct link to search page

They have scads of info on what is compatible with a Mac or not. Most of my Macs have DVD burners from the factory, but the one I added was a Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-105 and it is great. The G5 has a factory installed DVR-107 and my wife's has a DVR-104.

Have your brother take the eMac apart and put it inside. Or else you need to buy a firewire case.

The little skunk only works on PCs.

One other point -- unless you have an *internal* DVD burner, iDVD will not work unless you use the method described here.

Step by step instructions are here but you must download the file from the front page.

I have used this method to be able to create DVD images. It also gives you the choice to burn to an external drive.

You can use Roxio Toast to burn DVDs on an external drive, which you would get if you buy an external burner from LaCie, or some other Mac friendly supplier.

Well, the Macintosh *is* the soccer of home PCs.