I use an antenna for reception. Will I be able to record TV shows without a converter box?

I just got a refurbished Phillips DVD-R from Overstock.com and it didn't include the remote (I never thought to ask before I ordered it). Of course, it's virtually useless without one except to play pre-recorded disks; there's no way to access the menu to set up any recording options. Is that true of this one, too?