Need info on DVR-the kind you buy like a VHS recorder

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I am looking for info about a DVR - I assume this means Digital Video Recorder. Do I assume properly that this is the same idea as a VHS recorder, only it uses DVD's instead of VHS tapes? And Can I assume that it also functions like a VHS in that I put hte DVD in, choose the channel of the show I want to record, press REC on the remote and it records. I press Pause to stop recording commericals and REC to resume recording. And I assume it will pick up where it left off when I want to continue to record on that DVD? And can you watch a DVD from this DVR unit as usual? I say "assume" alot as I dont' know anything about this and with all the technologies rolling around these days, I can't keep track of it all nad it helps to understand the new stuff if I can "compare" it to the way I already know. I see they are around $200. BUt I have a birthday coming up! Anything anyone can mention or tell me, would be very appreciated. Thanks