VCD PLAYBACK 27
VCD PLAYBACK
VCD Playback
VCD, a video playback format that predates DVD, 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 31 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 31 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 DVD 31 as you would do
with any other CD or DVD disc. The unit takes a few
seconds to read the disc’s contents, then 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 31, particularly if the disc has
been created under VCD Version 2.0 with Playback
Control (see “Playback Control”).
When playing VCD discs, most standard DVD/CD play-
back 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 and Step Reverse
are not available with VCDs.
With VCDs, you have the same access to detailed
information on the disc playing or on the current player
setting as with DVDs, by pressing the
Info Button
5
on the remote.
Depending on the disc’s functionality, some VCD discs
allow the time display to be changed, even with PBC.
Playback Control
VCD discs made under the Revision 2.0 specification
will usually offer PBC playback control.
The
PBC Indicator
E
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 the PBC playback control; in that
case, the prohibit icon will appear on-screen.
When the 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 On-Screen Banner Display.
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
7
will start with the first track (which may be
an intro), then leading to the VCD menu (if any)
automatically.
•
Next
(Skip Forward)
M
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
F
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
Banner is on.
The
Menu Button
O
used during DVD playback
is not used for VCD playback.
DVD 31 (120V) OM 6/25/04 11:40 AM Page 27
