While I’m familiar with TiVo and ReplayTV, I’ve never really been that keen on the subscription model. I really like the idea of having a hard drive-based VCR, but I don’t want to be beholden to companies for a monthly fee and all that that relationship assumes. The show scheduling and predictive recording are a nifty feature, but I’ve managed without them for 15 years of the VCR. After all, I barely have time to watch the shows I want to tape. When am I going to watch the shows that TiVo thinks I might like? Incidentally, are TiVo or ReplayTV even available in Canada?
Via Slashdot, from Australia, we find the Home Media Centre. Like the TiVo, It’s basically a computer built to record and playback TV shows. Of course, they too are shipping without commercial skipping functionality, but that’s easily fixed. That’s pretty much what I want–a simple device that can record TV shows and play them back. I don’t want a computer sitting beside my TV, and I don’t want subscription services. They offer the scheduling features via an Internet connection, but it doesn’t appear to be a requirement.
[UPDATE:] I just noticed this salient design comment from the Slashdot discussion thread: “When are they going to realize that if I am going to buy something meant to go into my home theater, it needs to fit in. That means is should be ~19″ x 2-5″ not some silly ass cube, it looks like a bookshelf unit.” Indeed…why go out of your way to build something that doesn’t fit in with every other audio and video component on the planet?
DarrenBarefoot.com 
i am DYING for TiVo or something like it to hit Canada. Apparently, Rogers has a PVR system available, and I emailed Shaw inquiring when they’re gonna get their act together and they replied saying, “Sometime this year.” Fingers crossed.
Apparently there’s also a system that allows you to burn what you’ve “recorded” onto DVD.
If you don’t mind doing a bit of hardware hacking yourself, check out mythtv.org for an Open Source PVR. I believe there is even a bootable CD (knoppix IIRC) with it all integrated, so (in theory) you get your computer with tv-in/out based video card, put in a cd, boot up, and you have a PVR. I haven’t tried it though.
Other than that, there’s no PVR solutions (linux or other) that aren’t part of some sort of digital tv package available in canada. I’m not even sure you can get the PVR+digital tv up here either.
Bell ExpressVu has had a PVR available for quite awhile. Still, I’d probably just setup a Linux or Windows box for that purpose, probably because I like tinkering and I’d definitely want my recorded shows available on my entire LAN, not just my living room.
I rather like the SnapStream software, being able to setup my PVR to record remotely from anywhere over the ‘net appeals to me. No more “drat I forgot to record that” while you’re at a friend’s house, so long as you can get online.
Darren, you could get an ‘eyetv’ for your Apple. Check it out at http://www.elgato.com/.