After pouring over all the advice and information on this site, I decided to get some gear. I just got a JVC DR-M10S DVD Recorder for $266-ish and a HR-S9911U for about $269-ish (factory refurb) both of them from eCost.com

These are time sensitive deals (30 or so hours) so grab 'em while you can. In most every place I looked, each box was about $399 new so I think I got a pretty good deal.....free shipping, of course.

I'm certainly not trying to pimp eCost but I thought I'd share the deal I got.

Best of luck!