Also I was at walmart yesterday and they had minidisks for like $60 would this work for recording shows?
You could go the MD route. It will work, but some models are far better than others. Not sure what model you were looking at, but the MZ-M100 MZ-M10, MZ-RH10, MZ-RH910 models allow you to manually adjust the gain on them and allow you to record uncompressed PCM audio. I believe these models will also allow you to D/L the recordings onto your computer via USB also.
I have used a MD in the past for quite some time with little or no problems, but I must admit I like my NJB3's better. I don't know much about the i-rivers, but I hear they're pretty solid and growing in popularity also.
You might be able to pick one up used in the yard sale on here for a decent price.
-K