Need help with last second x-mas gift for Dad!!!!!!

I was looking into buying him Tivo and an external burner for his CPU, but then I starting seeing these DVD recorders with 80 to 160 GB of space on them. Here are the options he would want

1. Record and pause TV shows/sports without paying a monthly fee like Tivo. He doesn't have HD TV either.
2. Connect his camcorder so he can make movies on DVD's instead of CD's

Looking to spend $350 or less. How well does the DVR on the DVD recorders work compared to Comcast DVR or DirectTV Tivo?

Any advice for a noob would be greatly appreciated. Also, since its so close to x-mas I cnat purchase online so i'll have to go to "Worst Buy" or Circuit Shitty" or another crapy store. THanks for the help!!!!!!!!