You might find this article of interest:
http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/...ide-200512.ars
I have a WINTV PVR2 from Hauppauge for my laptop. It works well enough for the limited times I want to record something. The one I have is USB so it can't give great storage resolution but good enough. When I have some money I'll be giving strong consideration to building an HTPC of my own though first I want the 400-DVD jukebox so I can get them off the shelves.