Watching tv while recording onto vhs or dvd (by 2 users)

In order to view one channel and record another, you have to have (and be using) two tuners and also have a way to bypass the signal to one tuner into the other. The only time you're using the tuner of a device is when coaxial is connected - everything else is an input mode.

1. You could have a 2-way splitter with the signal connected on one end to RF IN of the DMR and on ANT IN of the TV, then the DMR connected to the TV via composite, S-Video or component cables.
2. You could connect coaxial all the way through to the television from the wall. Wall to DMR to TV - all coax would allow you to view one channel and watch another. Tune the DVD recorder to the channel you wish to record and start the recording. Use the TV/VCR button to bypass that signal to the TV and tune the station you want to watch on your television.

When it says "you cannot change the channel or recording mode while recording" that is referring to the tuner on the DVD recorder, not your television. I think the issue here is that you're keeping your TV in the input mode and trying to change the channel on the recorder after you've started recording - but I could be wrong. You need to change the channel on the TV ITSELF.

Had a very similar problem with a slightly different Panasonic model yesterday. On autosetup it insisted on recognising the analogue satellite decoder as AV1. Problem was that in AV1 mode, any channel selected on TV was channel on AV1 (even if changed manually on TV by hand). Solution was to delve deeper into tuning setup,find this channel & give it a different reference number (your choice). Works perfectly now. Sounds like your problem is similar.

This could be a couple of problems. I'm not trying to make you feel dumb or anything but sometimes people miss the obvious. Do you have an universal remote? How is your vct wired to your tv? Does your cable go to your vct or your tv first? These sound like silly questions but they are important.