Set up a Media Center PC by the TV with the sat receiver and buy a Media Center Extender for your PVR 250 (Expensive I know, but DAMN AWESOME).
Actually, if you can afford it buy XP Media Center Edition for your PC and a Media Center Extender for the TV (Or XBOX MC Extender which is WAY cheaper). The PVR250 is one of the few supported tuners so it's a shame that you aren't already taking advantage of this (IF you aren't). Your parents will be blown away! It's just like TiVO: Everyone who tries it will NOT go back. Simple, intuitive, & easy. They'll probably even fund a second PVR-250 and sat receiver so that they can watch at the same time and schedule more recordings.