Happauge hd pvr, they are expensive though, they'll run you about $200 but no doubt are the easiest and best recording device http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/p...
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.