Welcome to the forum!
Where to start...where to start.
S-video is just another way to transfer a video signal. If you are using the yellow RCA video jack (called "composite" video), then you don't need the s-video connection. So, don't worry about that part.
It sounds like you already have outputs from the VCR and the DVD going to the TV - that's the second set of coax connections that you mentioned. Your VCR should have something like a "TV/VCR" switch on it that would allow you to output the audio and video from a tape to the TV over the coax line, and you'll need to have the TV set to channel 3 or 4 (my guess) depending on how you set the VCR up. The DVD recorder might have something similar.
There are several ways that this can all be set up. None of them will be difficult or expensive to do. We'll just need to explain them. Before starting, I want to make sure that I understand, so let me know if the following is correct:
- You want to be able to record cable TV using the VCR
- You want to be able to record cable TV using the DVD recorder
- You want to be able to record VCR tapes to the DVD recorder
- You want to be able to watch VCR tapes on the TV
- You want to be able to watch DVDs on the TV
Is there anything that I'm missing? Do you have a separate stereo or surround sound system that you use to listen to TV, tapes, or DVDs?
EDIT: I might have misunderstood the s-video portion of your post. I'll see if I can find some more info on those components.
EDIT 2: I got it right. You have a composite video input, so you don't need to worry about s-video.