Audio/Video wiring question

[conVINCEd]

I'm normally pretty good with this stuff, but I've run into a problem. I'm helping m parents re-wire after adding a few components and I can't seem to get everything to work.

The gear:

Sony 36" Television (3 or 4 years old): the TV has a regular video input, S video input, and COax input. No composite, DVI, or anything of that sort.

Cable box/DVR-this unit has any input/output you could possible imagine.

VCR-Coax and regular inputs and outputs.

DVD player- For a cheap *** DVD player, it has composite out, as well as digital audio.

Nothing else. No receiver to serve as a hub.

Here's what I've done:

They were very upset that upon the installation of their DVR they could not watch one show and record another at the same time. I fixed this by running cable splitters on both lines coming from the wall, one set going to the cable box/DVR, the other going to an A/B switch. I ran S video from the cable box/DVR to the back of the TV for the video, and RCA's for the Audio. From the A/B switch, I ran coax to the VCR, then Coax from the VCR to the Coax input on the television. I ran the DVD using the regular red, whit, and yellow cables to the inputs on the VCR.

This allows them to watch TV through the A/B switch on Video1 when they are recording on the DVR. Their problem is solved and I'm the big hero. Yeah me. But now I can't get the damned VCR and DVD player working.

Picture/Audio quality is not a huge concern here, they wouldn't know the difference anyway. I just need all this **** to work. Also, I would rather not run the VCR and DVD through the cable box, as I am pretty sure that would affect their ability to record something while they were watching the movie.

Help please. Thanks.

 

[MulletHorn]

Are your parents against receivers for some reason? I had the same issue last year and picked up a Sony receiver for under $200 that had component and s-video inputs/outputs.....

 

[conVINCEd]

Mom doesn't want surround sound, says it will be too loud and the rear speakers will clash with the decor. Dad is fighting an uphill battle, he is taking it a step at a time.

 

[KingKoopa]

if picture quality isn't a huge concern, just run your dvr through the vcr to the tv. then use the s-video for the dvd player.

that would allow them to move stuff off the dvr onto vcr.

if picture quality is a concern, couldn't you just run the vcr into coax, dvd to s-video, and dvr into the RCA inputs? unless they have high definition cable box, the quality loss would be greater if you plugged the dvd into the RCA jacks.

i'm really tired, so tell me if i missed the reason why either of those wouldn't work. lack of audio inputs on the tv?