VCD Playback
VCD Playback
VCD is a format that predates DVD which is based on a different compression format than DVD and a recording method that is similar to CD. Although the DVD has, for the most part, replaced VCD as a format, the DVD 21 offers VCD playback so that you may play your existing library of VCD discs.
There are two versions of the VCD format: an early version which is simply called ”VCD” and a later version with Playback Control which is called ”Version 2.0” or ”PBC”. The DVD 21 is compatible with both forms of VCD, although playback will vary according to which version is used and the specific way in which the disc was created.
Even though VCD discs provide video, because the format is based on CD technology, the play- back functions for a VCD disc are similar to CD. To play a VCD disc, place it in the DVD player as you would do with any other CD or DVD disc. The unit takes a few seconds to read the disc’s contents, the VCD Disc Type and the red PBC indicators in the front panel display will light and the disc will begin playing. However, keep in mind that the exact level of functionality for any VCD will vary widely and it is ultimately determined by the way the disc was created, not by the DVD player, particulary if the disc has been created under VCD Version 2.0 with Playback Control (see right side of that page).
When playing VCD discs, most standard DVD/CD playback controls are used, including Play, Stop, Pause, Resume, Track Skip Forward and Reverse, Slow Forward, Step Forward and Fast Forward or Reverse Search. The functions Slow Reverse, Step Reverse are not available with VCDs.
Note that also with VCDs you have the same access to detailed informations on the disc playing or on current player setting as with DVDs by pressing the INFO button on the remote once or twice during playback. See chapter "Information Menus" on page 23.
Using the Status Bar for VCD Playback When playing VCD discs it is possible to access the disc’s features using the on screen Status Bar as shown for CD playback on page 25. Press the STATUS button on the remote to see the Status Bar. Note, however, that when the PBC is on, some features may be not available with that VCD.
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Use of functions when the PBC is on will vary according to the disc type. With some VCD discs you may select the Bookmark feature, with others not. Note that when red PBC indicator lights up in the front display it is not possible to change track numbers directly.
Depending on the disc’s functionality, some VCD discs allow the time display to be changed, even when the Playback Control (PBC) is on, as described for CD on page 26 .
Playback Control
VCD discs made under the Revision 2.0
Note that the PBC indicator in the front display will turn on automatically with any VCD, when the disc is played.
PBC can be turned off/on in play mode by press- ing the TITLE button on the remote control. When PBC is turned on, the disc will be played from the beginning, when PBC is turned off the disc will continue playing and the following message will appear on the screen:
With PBC you can select Titles and navigate the disc as with DVD’s. But the access to some functions may be prohibited by the PBC playback control, in that case the prohibit icon will appear on screen.
When the PBC is turned off, the disc can be con- trolled like a normal CD. But direct track access by entering a number is not possible without opening the Status Bar on the screen.
VCD discs made with PBC often include chapter selection menus that are similar to those found on DVD’s. However, on VCD discs the disc menu (if VCD was created with any menu) is accessed and controlled differently than on DVD’s.
■PLAY will start with the first track (which may be an intro), then leading to the VCD menu (if any) automatically.
■NEXT (Skip Forward) will skip to the VCD menu from the intro (track 1) directly.
■Once the menu options appear on the screen, make your selection by pressing the Numeric Button that corresponds to your desired choice. The desired selection will begin playing automatically.
■Direct number entry without any VCD menu shown on screen has no effect, also when the Status Bar is on.
■When PBC is on MENU will have the same function as with DVDs, making the player return to the latest disc menu. When PBC is off, pressing MENU will turn the PBC on and the disc will be played from the beginning.
SVCD Playback
SVCDs can be played and controled in the same way as described with VCDs above.
When they are loaded the VCD indicator will turn on in the front panel too, but when the INFO button is pressed the Disc Information Menu will read SVCD for DISC TYPE.
■Due to the differences in various versions of the SVCD format, and the many differences between the