Can my VCR/DVD recorder combo record without an external tuner?

My new Magnavox VCR/DVD recorder combo does not have a tuner built in. I will be buying a new desktop HDTV for Christmas which has RCA jacks for audio/video cords connected to my VCR/DVD recorder. My current analog color TV has only a coaxial cable jack, and it requires an RF modulator to use my recorder combo.

your VCR/DVD needs a signal source to be able to record!

If your TV has A/V outputs, you can connect to the VCR and record what you are watching on the TV. Or you can buy a NTSC to ATSC converter box.