Ken,
The...
Dish Network, TR-40CRA
has the VCR Timer Feature also.
I'm sure you are aware of this, but just in case someone doesn't know...
There is no physical connection between a Converter and your VCR which tells the VCR to record.
You set the Converter to come on to a certain channel at a certain time, then
program your VCR to come on and record the input which you have the Converter connected to, at that same time period.
Separate but coordinated events.
Converters which do not have the VCR Timer still can be used to do timed recordings, save that you must leave them on, on the channel you wish to record, and set the VCR to do the program recording as you normally would. You must then change the channel on the Converter, to record another channel, or leave it on, and on the same channel, to do daily recordings.
Additionally, if you wish to watch one Channel while Recording another, you must have two Converters.
Have a good Day !
S.W.