To me it would make sense to have a more 'direct' indication of the server actually running a TV recording or not.
Especially when running MC minimized or when a reboot is needed.
Okay, so you are already working at the MC Server and have it in Standard View, so the icon is visible on the Taskbar. In that scenario the request makes sense. As the icon already has Previous, Play/Pause, Stop, and Next functions on it, perhaps a button in there could launch the Television Status dialogue box. That would be an extra click, but would show not only if a recording was in progress, but if any tuner was in use with Live TV. What it wouldn't show is whether someone was watching a video or listening to audio on a Client, which a reboot would interrupt.
That is why I was suggesting a modification to the Theatre View skin. That way more information could be displayed about the Server status, and you could avoid interrupting any user on a Client or at least warn them. An unobtrusive overlay in the top right corner perhaps, using the existing MCWS commands to collect data. Or maybe even a menu item in the Theatre View menu to display the data you want. The problem with an active display on the icon, of course, is that it would have to be constantly polling MC to know if a recording was running, and display that as soon as the recording starts. A display in the background of Theatre View would have the same issue, while a menu item in Theatre View would only poll the tuners when you select the item.
We wouldn't want polling of the tuners constantly to actually affect the recordings, after all.
Anyway, you have explained more what you want and why. JRiver may listen and provide it.
PS: AnyDVD requires a reboot for updates? I use DVDfab Passkey and it completes updates without a reboot, no problem. Just a thought.