Best HTPC setup

I know this thread is over a year old, but what did you end up doing UTJ?

I've been thinking about creating an HTPC for my theater/gameroom.. I'm not a hardware person, so I'd need some guidance on what parts I need..

Basically, I'd like to be able to get HD broadcasts (cable system's HiDef DVR is in another room), record them to a hard drive and then burn them to a DVD.. What all would I need to be able to do that? Streaming them around the house would just be icing on the cake..