I can't say about Dish, but Directv's new HD DVR works the same way. The older HD Tivo from Direct does play back recorded content without a satellite connection. You're right, it is annoying to lose that function.
I'm not sure about Canada, but here in the U.S. all DVD recorders that have a tuner now have to have a digital tuner as well. The new DVD recorder models do not have hard drives. The manufacturers say that the American market doesn't want them; they're complicated and DVRs are preferred.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post10305260 (see point #5)
Bill