Audio Systems: Adding a CD/DVD player, digital audio inputs, vcr systems

Question
I currently have a Zenith DVD+Hi-Fi VCR System with a surround system of speakers. The unit is connected to my TV(of course)and operates both a VHS recorder/player and a DVD/MP3/CD(single play) system plus the radio. I have just bought a Panasonic 5-disc DVD/CD Player and want to know if I can somehow hook this into my receiver to get the audio on my surround system? I also have another JVC receiver that I have attached to single Kenwood speakers...is there any way I can eliminate one of the receivers and hook up both DVD players?

Answer
Dear Pat,

I've looked at the various Zenith "Home Theater in a Box" DVD/VCR systems, and they all seem to have an auxiliary video and audio input capacity, some on the front panel as well as the rear panel. Connect the composite video out (yellow) on the Panasonic DVD changer to the VIDEO IN (yellow) on the Zenith unit. The inputs are labeled "VCR IN", but the DVD's composite input is electronically equivalent, so it should work.

The problem, however, is with the audio inputs. None of the Zenith units have digital audio inputs, which would transmit the surround sound signal from the Panasonic changer to the Zenith's preamplifier. The Zenith has only 2-channel stereo audio inputs. There's no way around this except to trade in the Zenith unit for an A/V receiver with multiple inputs, including digital audio.

Seems a shame to limit the DVD changer to 2-channel sound, but that's all you're going to get.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin