Could do a lot worse than the HUMAX series of PVRs. Have a peek on amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Humax-PVR920...4893502&sr=8-1 but certainly a fantastic piece of kit, and so simple even my brother can use it! The one he has has twin tuners (can record one prog and watch another or record 2 simultaneously (and can actually watch another whilst that is happening, but depends on the channels somehow!)) , an electronic programme guide (ala SKY), one touch pause/record, series recording (ie tell it you like eastenders and it will record every eastenders episode ever...)