I'd say DEFINITELY the BEST solution is to buy a dedicated DVD recorder. Prices are now as low as £130. I bought a JVC a year ago and it's been great. We transfer old VHS, record our old camcorder tapes and use as a TV programme recorder in the usual way. Ours can even playback while recording (DVD-RAM) so you can fast-forward through the ads. You can usually edit on the machine as well. It's probably worth paying a bit more and getting a machine that's got more 'whistles & bells'. Ours can also play discs of JPEGs so we can watch high-quality stills from the digital camera on the telly - better than getting the screen and projector out.
The only issues apparently might be compatability between some recorders and other playback-only machines. DVDs I've produced play OK on my sister's play-only machine she bought in ASDA for £29.99 so I guess that should be mostly all right.
Cheers,
TheOddOne