I am looking purchase either a Tivo or a DVR system recorder but I don't want to pay a monthly subscription fee. Is there any way to do this? And no my Cable provider is fag and I will not rent any equipment from them.

TIVO has ended lifelong subscriptions I think, so you are out of luck there. If you REALLY don't want a monthly fee you are probably out of luck short of building your own PVR system. Renting one from your cable company is honestly the best option I think because a) its generally cheaper, I pay $5/month for mine which is a lot less than TIVO and the equipment is free to me (have to return at the end) which means you can save $200ish up front costs and b) equipment is going to continue to get better and better (more storage and HD, etc) so if you purchase your own equipment now its going to become obsolete, but if you rent it you can just upgrade later and not have to buy a new unit.

Yes, I do realize I totally ignored your actual question.