I recently bought a DVD player to play my audio CDs (not to watch DVDs).
This is how I hooked it up:

 ---------------
 |  DVD player |
 ---------------
        |
        V
 ---------------
 |   Receiver   |
 ---------------
        |
        V
   ear phones


It's a simple arrangement, and everything works fine.

However, since DVDs are starting to replace VHS videos, I will probably want to
watch a DVD some day.

This is what I currently have hooked up in my living room:


   wall outlet
        |
        V
 ---------------
 |  Cable box  |
 ---------------
        |
        V
 ---------------
 |     VCR     |
 ---------------
        |
        V
 ---------------
 |     TV      |
 ---------------


I want to keep my VCR in case I ever want to record a program for later viewing
(time-shifting).

So, where's the best place to insert my DVD player? (How best to combine the
above two diagrams.)

It depends on the in/out jacks available on your equipment, but let's start here...

Your receiver should have a second set of inputs for the DVD, or if
not a VIDEO2 or something like that with both audio and video inputs. 
Connect the audio/video outputs to your TV.


wall outlet
        |  (coax cable from wall)
        V
 ---------------
 |  Cable box  |
 ---------------
        |  (coax cable, PLUS A/V if you have them)
        V
 ---------------  ---------------
 |     VCR     |  |   DVD       |
 ---------------  ---------------
            |        |  (A/V)
            V        V
         ---------------
         |   RECEIVER  |
         ---------------
               |  (A/V)
               V
         ---------------
         |     TV      |
         ---------------

In addition to the above diagram, run a coax cable directly from the
VCR to the TV, bypassing the receiver.  This way people can still just
turn on the TV and watch cable straight up if other equipment is too
complicated for them or they don't want to use the receiver/amp.

You could also put the DVD inline between the VCR and receiver (just
like the VCR, the DVD should let the signal pass through when off, but
it also probably only has A/V), but the above diagram minimizes extra
hookups (hopefully for better video).

You will likely have picture problems hooking DVD output to a VCR due
to copy protection (picture will fade in and out), so that is out.

VCR/cable are left inline because I assume you want to record TV if needed.

There are of course a bunch of ways to do this or other options within this diagram.

To xcarlx-ga:  Thank you for your comments.

You said: "You could also put the DVD inline between the VCR and receiver".
Problem: The DVD player has no input jacks. It has only output jacks.
Therefore, it is impossible for it to be inline between the VCR and
receiver.

You said: "In addition, run a coax cable directly from the VCR to the TV,
bypassing the receiver."
Problem: The TV has only one input jack. Therefore, how can the TV
accomodate two different inputs (one from the receiver, and one from
the VCR)?

You said: "Your receiver should have a second set of inputs for the DVD."
Comment: The receiver has the following inputs:
  VIDEO
  TAPE1
  AUX
I'm not sure what any of them is for.  I guess I would put the VCR
into the "VIDEO" input jack, and put the DVD player into the "AUX"
input jack. Does that sound right?

Thanks again for you helpful comments.

""  You said: "You could also put the DVD inline between the VCR and receiver".
Problem: The DVD player has no input jacks.  ""

So ignore that one.  It isn't necessary.


""  You said: "In addition, run a coax cable directly from the VCR to the TV,
bypassing the receiver."
Problem: The TV has only one input jack. Therefore, how can the TV
accomodate two different inputs (one from the receiver, and one from
the VCR)?  ""

In that case, using your DVD player for videos will require an RF
modulator (unless your DVD has coax output, but it probably doesn't). 
This is a device that connects to your TV's coax input and accepts A/V
inputs (the red/white/yellow plugs).  They typically also have an
extra RF input, turning your TV into a multi-input device.  After
connecting this device, your TV will work with the original diagram.


""  Comment: The receiver has the following inputs:
  VIDEO
  TAPE1
  AUX  ""

None of them are special (unless it had a record player input), they
are just inputs the receiver can switch between, but it sounds like it
may come up a little short (unless another set besides VIDEO has video
input).  Even if VIDEO is the only set with yellow plugs, still
connect the A/V from the DVD to the receiver first, then through to
the RF modulator hooked to the TV.  This way you can use the amp, or
turn it off and have the DVD signals passed through and have sound
through the TV speakers if you want.

Because your TV doesn't have A/V inputs, any possible improved picture
quality is pointless because it has to go through the coax input to
the TV at the end.  However, still connect with A/V plugs from cable
to VCR (possibly better recording) and red/white audio cables from VCR
to receiver.  This is where that coax from VCR direct to the TV comes
in.  Before it was for convenience, but now it's the only option for
video on the VCR.  The RF modulator will have a place for it, just
pretend it is part of the TV.

The only drawback now is lack of direct A/V connection from VCR/CABLE
to TV, but your TV doesn't really support A/V input anyway, so the
source signal might as well be coax.

FYI, the RF adapter thing is not cheap, but you can get models that
switch automatically between the DVD and coax input when the signal is
turned on/off, so don't buy a piece of garbage that requires manual
switching.

Thanks for your recent suggestions. I have a few more comments:

(1) The receiver is strictly for audio, only.  It was not designed for video.
It has no output jacks for video. In fact, the only output is for speakers.
Thus, there is no way for a DVD signal to pass through to an RF modulator or TV.

(2) You said: "Using your DVD player for videos will require an RF modulator
(unless your DVD has coax output, but it probably doesn't)."
My reply: "The DVD player DOES have coax output. In fact, it has 3
different outputs:
*VIDEO OUT (which I presume uses a coax cable),
*S-VIDEO OUT
*COMPONENT VIDEO OUT"

(3) You said: "connect with A/V plugs from cable to VCR (possibly
better recording)"
My reply: "The cable box does have all kinds of outputs, including S-VIDEO and
COMPONENT VIDEO. However, these are not used. Instead, I run a coax cable
from it to the VCR (which is the ONLY kind of input that the VCR can accommodate)."


I have a feeling that my "home entertainment center" needs major
upgrading. Well, maybe someday.  In the meantime, I'm getting a
headache from looking at all the spaghetti wires, and trying to figure
out what goes from where to where.

Thanks again for all your advice.