Harman-Kardon HS 500 owner manual Status Bar, Zoom, Playback Control

VCD PLAYBACK

VCD, a video-playback format that predates DVD, is based on a different compression format than DVD and uses a recording method that is similar to CD. Although the DVD has, for the most part, replaced VCD as a format, the HS 500 offers VCD playback so that you may play your existing library of VCD discs, or home movies that you have recorded as VCDs on your computer.

There are two versions of the VCD format: an early version which is simply called “VCD” and a later version with Playback Control that’s called “Version 2.0” or “PBC.” The HS 500 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 playback functions for a VCD disc are similar to CD. To play a VCD disc, place it in the HS 500 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 Indicator in the front-panel display will light and the disc will begin playing.

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 HS 500, particularly if the disc has been created under VCD Version 2.0 with Playback Control (see “Playback Control”).

NOTE: VCDs that contain only raw MPEG files will not play in the HS 500.

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. The Reverse Search and Step Reverse functions are not available with VCDs.

With VCDs, you have access to information on the disc playing by pressing the Info Button on the remote. The availability of the Repeat and Random functions will depend on whether PBC Support has been activated using the System Setup Submenu. With PBC Support on, Repeat and Random will not be available.

Repeat A-B is always available. Simply press the Repeat A-B Button once at the beginning of the passage to be repeated, again at the end of the passage, and a third time to cancel Repeat A-B mode.

Status Bar

When playing VCD discs, it is possible to access the disc’s features using the Status Bar. Press the Status Button to view it.

The Status Bar will appear the same as for DVDs (see Figure 80), except that the current track number will be shown, rather than the title, and there is no chapter display. You may select the track number and change it to skip to another track. You may also begin play from a specific time marker by selecting the numeric time display and entering the desired starting point using the Numeric Keys. You may also change the time display from Track Elapsed, to Track Remaining, to Disc Elapsed, to Disc Remaining, and back to Track Elapsed, just as with

DVDs. The elapsed time will appear as a graphic temperature bar, with additional lines added as more of the track or disc is played.

Figure 80 – VCD Status Bar

Zoom

The Zoom function is available for VCDs by pressing the Zoom Button. Repeatedly pressing this button will cycle through the possible settings of 1x, 2x and 3x zoom, as shown in the upper right corner of the screen. After the enlargement indication disappears from view, you may explore the image using the Navigation Buttons.

Playback Control

VCD discs made under the Revision 2.0 specification will usually offer PBC playback control. The PBC Indicator in the front display will turn on automatically with any VCD when the disc is played. With PBC, you can select titles and navigate the disc as with DVDs. However, the access to some functions may be prohibited by PBC playback control; in that case, the prohibit icon will appear on screen.

When a VCD is made without PBC, the disc can be controlled the same as an audio CD, but direct track access by entering a number is not possible without opening the Status Bar. With PBC, many discs include chapter selection menus that are similar to those found on DVDs. However, on VCD discs, the disc menu (if any) is accessed and controlled differently than on DVDs.

•Play will start with the first track (which may be an intro), then proceed to the VCD menu (if any) automatically.

•The Next (Skip Forward) command 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 Keys that correspond to your desired choice. The desired selection will begin playing automatically.

•Direct number entry without any VCD menu shown on-screen has no effect – even when the Status Bar is on.

The Disc Menu Button used during DVD playback is not used for VCD playback. Use of functions when PBC is on will vary according to the disc type. Note that if the disc was created with Playback Control (PBC) it is not possible to change track numbers directly.