Satellite link vs timer record

[gillmacca]

I have a Sharp DV-RW360H (DVD/Video Recorder, connected to a standard sky box) which has an option called satellite link.
Could someone tell me the benefits of satellite link over normal timer record, and the difference between the 2. To me it looks just the same....you have to set the timer on the recording device (via timer record or satellite link) to record anything

Thanks for any feedback