The DVD+R/RW format is like beta. Maybe technologically superior, but it is being outsold by DVD-R by at least 50:1 so it won't survive. The DVD+RW blanks are still over $10 each!!!
On the topic of cheap DVD-Rs, I have a Pioneer A03 and a standalone Panasonic E20 DVD recorder. The A03 will burn anything I put in it (at 1x). The E20 is much pickier and the Meritlines and CD-Recordables don't work. Apples work fine.
By the way, if you are only interested in archiving VHS/DV or TIVO stuff, I would highly recommend the E20. It makes the process of archiving idiot-proof. You can't do much editing (record/pause), but the quality, speed, and ease of archiving is amazing!!!