Objective
Record to cd's tv programs (1/2 hour shows and full lenght movies). I intend to watch these recordings either at home on my 35" tv from my pc or set top dvd player, or on my boat while out cruising, on my boat I have a laptop and a television and am willing to buy a dvd player for watching these recordings if necessary.
I have digital cable and movie channels, and cable modem access to the web. I would like to maintain video and sound quality (surround sound for movies) at equal to digital cable quality. It would be nice to have small file size so as to fit full lenght movies on 2 cd's at most. I will need advice on getting past the 4gig file size while recording (I use WME). Divx sounds good but I am not sure it's the right format for my purpose or svcd or vcd.

My tools
pc = Compaq 1.3 athalon w/DVD and cd-r
laptop = older toshiba w/cd rom (I may update soon)
hd = 60gig 7200 DMA and 30gig 5400
vidoe card = ATI allin wonder 32mb
Software
ATI bundled
Ulead video studio w/DVD
Burning = Adaptec easy cd creator 4.0 delux

Specific questions
Which capture settings to use to keep digital cable quality?
How to handle 4GIG file size for longer movies?
What re-encoding if necessary?
It would be nice to not have to re-encode.
What cd burning tips and settings?
Do I need new burning software?
Is there a place to download movies ready for burning?

My dream is to start pc, schedule my tv card, put a blank in the cd-r go to bed and wake up with a movie on a cd!

I have scoured the web for info but am overwelmed with the confusing variety of info. Everything from old formats to divx, from ripping dvd's to creating home movies. But I can't seem to find advise for specifically what I wish to do.

Please help or advise where to go for help.

Thanks
Bill