Ilsalund, is your TV an older model HD TV or standard? if its an HD TV with no HDMI does it have a VGA connection?
IF it does which is the case with my OLD HD TV you could get a VGA to HDMI adaptor which would connect from the HD TV to the DIRECTV receiver, you would still need the AUDIO While & Red cables for sound since the VGA to HDMI does not output sound.
Now, the connection that the others have suggested would allow you to watch your VHS and DVD content on the TV which is fine but the main question from me to you is this: Do you just want to be able to play from your VHS/DVD recorder to your TV OR do you actually want to record shows from the DIRECTV receiver to VHS or DVD using your Combo Recorder?
If you want to be able to record to VHS or DVR using your HD/DVR recorder off of the DIRECTV receiver I recommend you get an S-Video to COMPONENT ( Red, Green, Blue ) Adpater which you can get from MONOPRICE, AMAZON etc. This would allow you to do that.
The reseason your HDMI adapter does not work is most likely because of what Shannon explained, most cable providers have enabled their HD receivers with HDCP restrictions which block and not allow to directly record many of their programs however the good thing is you can still get a Component adapter which will allow that though as I explained the picture quality will not be as good.
If you really want to be able to record in HD quality the PVR Hauppauge also available via AMAZON.com would be your best option though it does require a somewhat tech saavy person in order to work the program and specially copy and finalize the files and content you record to DVD media. If you want to read more about it and get more information on it you can do a google search or simply look it up on Amazon.com, if you would need additional assistance with that feel Free to Private message me and Id be happy to help, I also have some great step by step Word Pad tutorials I created that will allow you to use and create stunning HD quality picture DVDs via the Hauppauge PVR.