Alternative to a SKy+ box...?

[conuk]

hmmmm The old man is not the best when it comes to computers... he hates using the video recorder.... the DVD recorders Ive used seemed a little picky with the DVDs you threw at them.... and they would like Sky+...... he also would like to surf the net.... fire off a few emails etc

Is it possible to make a `tiny` box that would :
* Record onto hard drive from Sky box / and / or another channel ?
* Surf the net ... fire off a few emails....
BUT connect to their old 32" toshiba TV - no LCD/plasma yet... maybe soon though.

If so - what kind of kit would you recommend?
Nothing fancy gaming wise would be needed... and cheap as possible really... just a little project I`d like to do for them.
Any thoughts?
TIA

 

[conuk]

apologies - I meant are they able to connect to the Sky box and record or is it encrypted..... and what is the picture like on the TV - useable or make ya blind ?

and what would be minimum (ie cheap) to do it... obviously they aint gonna need AMD 64`s.. gig ram etc.

TIA