Ok, my DVD player quit so I replaced it. Should have been so easy just to substitute but no. First I have picture on DVD & no sound. Then I have sound but movie plays in black & white. Then I moved a plug & ta-dah it works. Great, I thought I was done. Then the Dish Network DVR & separate VCR no longer work. This goes on for three days as I stare in amazement at it. Then I see a cord that should have been plugged directly from DVR to TV so I moved it & now Dish Network DVD is working & DVD player is working but the VCR does not. What can I do now? Do I need a coaxe cable or that "s" thing or what? Please Help. Thanks, Kajukenbo55

There is so much variety in features the equipment you describe can have there really isn't very much detail people can provide. There are several types of connections for getting video and audio signals between devices. Some connections are compatible with high definition video, while others aren't. Some devices have multiple sets of connections.

Check with your satellite provider and the various equipment providers for connection diagrams. The diagrams may be in user manuals or in the customer support section of the organization's web site.

Typically you would connect the outputs from a DVD player directly to a TV. A standard definition cable converter or satellite receiver's output would connect to the inputs of a VCR (or comb VCR/DVD player). The output from the VCR (or combo VCR/DVD player) would connect to inputs on the TV. If the cable converter or satellite receiver generates a high definition output and the rcording equipment does not record in high definition you will want to bypass the VCR and connect the high definition output directly to the TV.

Composite video (yellow RCA plug) and S-Video (multi pin plg) are standard definition, S-video is superior. Component can also carry high definition. All three of these type need to be used in combination with stereo audio (red and white) or optical sound cables. HDMI cables carry sound and video signals in digital form. Connect outputs on one device to the matching inputs on the device where you want the signal to go.

It may help to draw the equipments' connector areas on a sheet of paper and use color pencils (or markers) to make your own diagram. You can also mark the cable ends to indicate the device name and type of connection where they go (Example: "TV R Stereo IN").

If there aren't enough inputs on the TV you might need a switch box from your favorite video game store or other consumer electronic retailer.