Riley804..nailed it. Win7 PC with a tuner card or HDHomerun and a external HD will do exactly what you're asking. I do it all the time.
recording shows from cable TV?
whats the best way to record a show - for example - a tennis match from Tennis Channel into some format that I will be able to keep forever. I have the regular DVR box that allows me to record from Time Warner, but I have to get a new box at least once per year since the box craps out. Maybe onto some permanent storage system that I can keep forever? Maybe something better exists nowadays? suggestions