Seems that is the only option with enigma2 sadly. A "proper" client mode where the client box utilises the server box EPG, recordings and everything else (rather that a grab and display a local copy on the local client machine) would be a "more comprehensive / real" client box / mode though

.
Like Sky Q with its client boxes but without the crazy cost of Sky - that would be a cracking solution but..... not at this stage of the lifecycle of satellite and terrestrial broadcasting which will most likely be gone in 10 years time sadly. I am all for catch up and streaming services that will take thier place but only when the UK government mandates that you should be able to record them as part of the specification so that you have the opportunity to not be forced to watch the adverts - a single household £10 a month advert "get out" fee covering all of the subscription services could then be levied to anyone who doesn't want adverts for crap that nobody
wants needs.
This is why I personally will hang on to the terrestrial services and satellite services until their dying day. Some people have a mental health condition for this and others have a condition for that. Mine is for adverts pushed into my face. OCD. This, of course, is nothing at all to do with "client mode".
And when that goes to sh*t and I have little choice - I will "illegally" donwload everything I want to watch from some dodgy website where some kind soul has posted them and either already removed the adverts or I will use my, by then, 20 year old enigma2 box to play them and use the wonderful 3,6 and 9 buttons which I have tuned so nicely that I can skip the adverts in about 5 seconds
The 3,6, and 9 buttons are probably the best feature of enigma2 for me!!
Ha ha...
Paul