I can't say wheter what you want to do will work or not. At this point there isn't much available on the TR-50.
However, the information on the DISH Network website for the DTVPAL ATSC Coupon Eligible Digital Converter says it has an event timer for recording to VCR's etc.. It goes on sale the week of June 23, according to the website I've been planning to buy from. If you don't really want a DVR, perhaps it would be enough.
In reply to: "EchoStar TR-50: HD DVR for the antenna crowd"
June 16, 2008