William Sommerwerck wrote:

The subject line reads: "Can't View TV Program When Recording With VCR". The
modulator isn't needed for this. The tuner in the VCR and the tuner in the
TV receive the same antenna or cable signal, and can receive any channel.

Ah, the OP said he had digital cable (and I assume a digital STB.) So, the
TV tuner (his TV was old) *can't* receive any channel. Neither can the VCR.