DVD Recorders with Hard Drive

From Bolton, 1 post

Anyone help me out here? I'm looking for the cheapest DVD Recorder with a built in hard drive (£250 or less). Firstly, does the hard drive mean it can operate like Sky+ and Tivo and pause live TV? If so, then this is what I want. Not too bothered about the manufacturer being a *name*.
Also, can anybody advise on whether I should go for DVD +/-, R, RW etc. and what they actually mean. Don't understand it meself!