UK TV package advice please!

So the mother mourns that she often misses TV series due to travel/episodes airing too late. In her head she has visions of her being able to sit down and catch-up on missed TV eps/series or, if she so feels like it, select a film to watch. She also likes the sound of being able to 'record' what's on TV so you can watch it later.

We've had a look at BT Vision so far and Virgin Media (there is cable to our area). As someone who knows sweet FA about these things they look roughly the same to me.

Does anyone have any recommendations/cautionary tales about these packages, or could you recommend another provider?