I have a Toshiba Dvd video recorder. I have just local channels through cable so I do not have a cable box. When I connect the recorder to my TV I can play a dvd but can not record. I have tried changing the input on both the TV and dvd with no luck. The unit did work before when I had a cable box. So my question is do I need some kind of splitter a/b box ? The recorder is not that old. I have read the booklet over and over and checked the connections. I have even tried on a dfferent TV. All my tvs just use the coaxial cable from they wall right in the TV.

You need an antenna connection to the DVDR recorder as well as the TV. Sounds to me like you just need a splitter on the coax coming from the wall, then sep. cables to the DVDR and the TV, but no selector switch. The same TV input you use presently to watch DVD's should transmit the signal from the DVDR so you can monitor what you are recording, program the timer etc.

Does your recorder have a tuner? Many DVD recorders do not, and without a tuner of sorts, it won't record. A VCR or cable or satellite box are tuners.