To do what you seek, you're going to need to buy three things (about $50(?) total). First, you will need a cable signal splitter http://www.crutchfield.com/S-zmWdEVF8dqg/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=043561925 And you will also need a video signal A/B switch http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000EIOQL2/becomecom-20/ref=nosim Finally, you will need several coaxial video cables to run between the components http://www.amazon.com/Gold-RG-59-Cables-F-Connectors/dp/B0009A1F82/sr=1-12/qid=1167527660/ref=sr_1_12/002-8467435-4511257?ie=UTF8&s=electronics I wish I could draw a picture, but I'll try to do it in words. 1) Install the splitter on the source cable (coming out of the wall or floor). 2) Run cables from each splitter output. One to the DVD/VCR input, the other to an A/B switch input. 3) Run a cable from the DVD/VCR output to the other A/B switch input. 4) Run a cable from the A/B switch output into the back of the TV. If you do all of that right, you can watch one channel (straight from the cable) while recording another. To watch a recording, move the A/B switch to the other position. Oops! Late addition ---- I should say to run one output of the splitter to the CABLE BOX input, then run a cable from the cable box to the TV. This will allow you to do what you want PROVIDED that the shows you want to record are on basic, not digital cable. If you want to record digital cable channels, then you need to run the output of the cable box to the input of the DVD/VCR, but then you can only watch the same channel you are recording. To both watch AND record digital channels, you will need to cable boxes.

I will try that and if that doesn't work I will be back! Thanks