I recently got a stereo receiver (technics) from a friend. I want to hook up a pair of bookshelf speakers using the receiver to my TV (Sony 27" trinitron), DVD player (panasonic) and a HiFi VCR (JVC). What is the most efficient way to do this ? My TV, DVD player and VCR all have Composite video and audio input/outputs.

If you have a composite "audio out" on your TV and 3 inputs, you could do all 3 audio/video straight to your TV (choose an input with S-video for your DVD player), then the audio out to your receiver . This lets you watch all components with just the TV speakers when desired (like late night), or turn the receiver on and use the bookshelf speakers (in which case you should turn down the TV volume).

Or if you have enough audio inputs on the receiver, you could just route the videos to the TV and the three separate audio outs from your components straight to your receiver inputs. (You would always need to turn your receiver on when using any of the 3 components).

If you don't have enough inputs for either scenario, you probably need a a/v switcher.