Ever since my first cable box (analog).....I have NEVER been able to watch one and record another. Seeing and recording are only the channel shown on the box. (Then digital, and now DVR, all the same.) At least with the "old fashioned" VCR I could/can do both. And the VRC will change channels if you are away....not so with cable box. DVR box does!!
Gee Ma got a new toy, and I missed the excitement!