I have yet another option.
As a pack rat and buyer of much stuff I have a Dish HD 811 receiver sitting around.
I looked at the manual it appears it can be setup to turn on and work with a VCR.

Main downfall is I need to have a set dish at 110 or 119 connected at all times to it.
Anyway around not having a dish connected to it at all times?

I also think I should stop SW downloads to it?

Keep ya posted.

Thanks