I bought kind of the same thing as tedbear, a WinTV HVR 950Q, and I WOULD buy one again. I think it was about $70. The software that comes with it is a little convoluted, but I use Windows Media Center instead and it works great. It even gives you the ability to pause and record shows much like a DVR. The external antenna that comes with it is a little cheesy but it works. I figured I would take it with me on trips, and have, and it works fine.

Edited to add: It even comes with a little remote, but I haven't used it.