Need new removable storage drive: DVD or Tape?

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Here's my problem: I have a tuner card so I record a lot of TV shows on my PC so I use up the space pretty fast. I used to put the files larger than 1GB on two 15/30GB ADR tapes that I used for movies and backed up my PC to 2 other ADR tapes but now my 4 tapes as well as my hard drive are full, so I cant backup anymore and I'm out of space.

I can either get a DVD writer but at only 4.7GB/disk it's pretty useless especially since I'm used to 15GB/disk. This would take me about 20 DVDs just to move my movie files, then I would be able to make a full backup of my other files to 2 or 3 tapes, which is still a lot of tapes for a full backup.

Or I can get a tape drive with at least 30GB uncompressed and use 1-2 tapes for my video files and 1 tape to backup (it would have to be a drive supported by 1Safe or with drivers that allow drive letter access so I can watch movies right from the tape like I do now).

I'm leaning towards a Sony AIT tape drive rather than a DVD writer since in less than a year there will be 9.4GB (dual layer) recordable DVDs and I dont feel like having my movies spread out on 20 DVDs that I have to juggle each time I want to find a movie. I can also sell my current tape drive and tapes for at least $150 US if I get a new tape drive.

Which option would you think is best?

I want to pay $500 US max. for a tape drive with at least 30GB uncompressed, I dont mind getting it used. Is AIT the most cost effective? I was very impressed that the 35/90GB tapes are only $39, thats cheaper than the 15/30GB tapes I use now! New AIT drives seem to be about $100-150 above my budget, is it worth saving for a few weeks and get a new $600-700 AIT drive? It seems pretty expensive to me since I'm a student but I desperately need a large removable storage drive.

Thanks