Instruction: Answer the given question by extracting information from the supporting document.

Input:
Question: Can you record one channel and watch another channel with this unit.  We are using a HD antenna! and get great channels
Document: Favorite feature is that if machine is on you can go back up to 6 hours even if you were watching something else from the hard drive. I often set cable so it's on right channel(s) for what I want to watch when I get home then just reverse and enjoy when I get there jumping through the commercials as I go. Really great for replays while you're watching a game too - you can go frame by frame.
If you don't record too many things, you can manually change channels between recordings. But there is no way you could go away for a week and come back to the correct recordings. On the plus side, you can now get high number cable channels because the DVR thinks it is on channel 3 all the time.
It doesn't record in HD, which would be worth a little more, if Magnavox wants to improve the model, but it's a better picture than any of my old vcrs provided. I'm over 60, so I really didn't want to get into the specs of the machine, or have to learn a lot of stuff, just to watch tv. At this point, I'm very satisfied.
With the change to digital tv, I needed a way to record programs on various channels while I wasn't at home. You know, like vcrs used to do. I've used this machine for more than two months, with no problems (other than not reading the instructions closely enough). It worked fine on antenna, or basic cable. I don't use a cable box, I'm sure that would get more complicated.
That, in my opinion makes it far more valuable than a VCR! It's great if you want to watch two TV programs that are both on at the same time. For example; you want to watch a recording of a two hour movie, but during that time it is scheduled to tape something else. No Problem! It will record your program even while you are watching one of your saved recordings.This is all I wanted. A smooth, easy to use, no tape hassle VCR replacement.
You can also record/copy direct to DVD, if you prefer.If you get your TV signal via OTA antenna, you won't need a digital converter box wherever you've got one of these.Fair warning: The HDD will spoil you rotten!
You can not get any signal without a DTA.The only way this device works now is with two DTA's. I split the cable and run one to each DTA, then to the TV or DVR. But on the DVR, you have to have the channel pre-set to the channel you want to record. You can schedule a recording. The DVR turns on and off by itself. But there is no way to set a channel. The only channel it sees is the cable channel 3.
Another negative is it is not capable of tuning in higher number channels (above 135 I think). But, I would still buy this DVR again. EXCEPT...If you are using it with purchased cable service, but without a cable box, (using the unencrypted QAM channels) you will probably eventually have a problem. Cable companies now have the right to encrypt even the basic network channels. Where I live there is no TV without cable, so you have no choice but to buy it.
A playlist feature would be another great editing tool they could add, but for the reliability and price of these DVRs I can't complain. Can be used with old TVs and newer HD models. Multiple recording timers can be set for once, once per week, M-F, or daily - they also have tuners so can be used with cable and antennas. Anything that sends a signal to TV should be able to go through these.
This Mag already has a built-in, amplified splitter that (1) passes the raw signal thru to downstream components like a cable box or TV, and (2) feeds the Mag's tuner so it can "pick off" (record) ANY unscrambled channels in the signal. It should NEVER be behind a cable box where it can only record the channel the box is tuned to... EVEN IF ALL YOUR CABLE CHANNELS ARE SCRAMBLED (makes no diff.).
Answer: Yes, you can record a show on one channel and watch another show on another channel.  Or you can record a show on one channel and "chase" it, i.e. come home when you've recorded the first half of the show and start watching at the beginning.Or you can watch an already recorded show while recording a show.  --Lee Gold