I would like to know how to hook up hdtv, digital cable box, dvd/vcr combo, dvr, and surround sound

Without knowing the exact products you are using and their capability. Best case senario connect everything to the surround receiver and output to your display. But if you do not have a receiver that has upconversion capability you will have to change inputs on TV then receiver to get a picture. Or if you display has a digital audio output. You can connect everything to your display and connect the digital audio out to your receiver. To give you a more detail layout I need more detail of you equipment.