Wyatt, you didn't say anything about what kind of inputs you have on the back of the TV but lemme see if I can splain this. Right now it sounds as if you have everything hooked up in series. In other words,
sat. input to DVD/VCR to TV. That's ok if you want to record from satellite but it may take some fiddling to get it to work (check what the output channel of the DVD/VCR combo is or check if the TV has a separate video imput in the menu). However, you said in the OP that you didn't record. If this is still the case then you need to hook the sat. input and the DVD/VCR in parallel. In other words,
sat. input to TV and DVD/VCR to TV. In that case you need something like this adapter if you don't have dual inputs on the back of the TV.
You just plug both into the double end and plug the other into the TV. Radio shack should have something similar. Turn the DVR off to use the VCR/DVD but you may still need to check if the TV menu has a separate "video input" setting.
Are you thoroughly confused now?
CW