My TV has only one input, the cable from the Directv unit into the TV. That leaves my Direct TV receiver with the only optional hook up for the vcr/dvd combo. I can't get it to work or even set the thing up with the time. I've followed the directions on both instruction books but nothing has worked. What am I doing wrong?

Install a splitter between the TV/VCR/sat receiver box. Two in, one out

My TV has only one input, the cable from the Directv unit into the TV. That leaves my Direct tv receiver with the only optional hook up for the vcr/dvd combo. I can't get it to work or even set the thing up with the time. I've followed the directions on both instruction books but nothing has worked. What am I doing wrong?
Your vcr/dvd combo will probably have a coaxial (regular cable wire) input and output on it. The satellite line shuold go into the DirecTV box, then a cable OUT from DirecTV and IN to the vcr, then another cable OUT from the vcr and IN to the TV. If you put the TV on channel 3 or 4 (whichever the VCR requires) and the vcr on channel 3 or 4 (whichever the DirecTV box requires), you should be able to get the DirecTV box to come through onto the TV. You can also turn the VCR off, and the DirecTV box should come into the TV on channel 3 or 4.

If you don't have the right hook-ups for that to work, let us know what model numbers of equipment you have, and maybe we'll be able to find out some more specific info.