Run component (RGB) or S-video from your satellite box to the DVD player and verify you can watch TV through the DVD box.
Hey Pete - first let me correct myself the "component" I mentioned is also only output from the dvd box. :clonk:
The Samsung one touch recording is very easy but now I'm scratching my head. I either record from AV1 (s-video and L/R sound from cable box) the equivalent to your satellite box or from a cable splitter feeding the coax input which I don't think you can do. Quality was exactly like the feed but the resolution is less than the 1080i from the hdmi connections (didn't fill my screen).
My TV has 2 hdmi inputs and my dvd recorder as well as my cable box have hdmi outputs. Since the TV can host these I saved money on my surround sound receiver and didn't get hdmi in it thinking I wouldn't use it as a switch for my A/V. Using the TV with each device feeding it independently makes it easy for the wife to just turn on the cable box and TV with the cable controler (one button) and go.
Anyway, the one touch recording is very easy and unlike a VCR your wife will have to finalize any DVD recording (as mentioned) before taking it to school and playing it for the kids. Your headache will be connecting from the satellite box so the wife doesn't need you to switch the recorder to the right input so she can push the one button record. Using tivo or dv-recorder cable box (same available for satellite?) is a good idea. Then for her class record a dvd from it.
Oh, be sure to get the right DVD's I started out with a stack of DVD+RW's and my unit can only record on -RW and -R's :clonk: