zap.tartarus.org is currently down. It was moved last week and hasn't been right since. I can't access it and have no idea when it'll be back up.
Until it's back up, you can find my current .diff.gz and .dsc files here: URL:http://www.youmustbejoking.demon.co.uk/tmp/
You'll need to get source from upstream and build whichever packages you want yourself. I don't have space for all of the source, never mind the .debs...
For vdr, the suggested build/install order is this:
Build xine-lib Install libxine1, libxine-dev Build vdr Install vdr-dev Build $PLUGINS Install $PLUGINS, vdr
For building, I recommend "debuild binary" (you'll need devscripts).