How do I make Aiwa HT-DV90 play VCD's?

[althor74]

Does anyone have any idea how to get an Aiwa HT-DV90 to play VCD's? It actually plays data cd's w/ raw MPG video (through the mp3 file interface) but it gives me disc errors when trying to play a simple VCD. I've tried professional VCD's, Nero, and Easy CD Creator VCD's. The LCD menu actually shows "VCD". I'm concerned that the manual doesn't mention VCD, but I don't see how it's possible for someone to make a DVD player that doesn't play VCDs. On vcdhelp.com it says that the HT-DV90 does support VCD's. But user comments are mixed. Is there a firmware upgrade? Any help anyone? Thanks.

[althor74]

I just read on aiwa's Japanese & European official sites that the HT-DV90 officially DOES support VCD. So why won't my player play them? Are there different versions of the HT-DV90, would my U.S. player be different in some way, is there a firmware upgrade, does Aiwa even do firmware upgrades?

FYI, here's the links for those sites:

Japanese
http://www.jp.aiwa.com/products/audio/2001/dvdcd/ht-dv90_e.html

European
http://www.aiwa-euro.com/en/product.php?name=ht-dv90

Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

[jpd3]

Hi

I also have a HT-DV90 and have had almost no problems playing VCD's or Svcd's. These are Svcd's that I have created using Tmpge, Pinnacle or ulead and burn't with nero. Other VCD's have been copied for me and played with no problems.

Hope this helps a bit

regards

John

[althor74]

John,

What region is your dvd player? Is it a U.S. region 1?

Do you have a "compac disc digital video" logo on the front of your unit? Does your manual mention anything about VCDs? Thanks!

[jpd3]

Althor 4

My Dvd was orginally region 2 but I have made it multi region, but this has made no difference to playing S/Vcd's. Yes, it does have the compact disc logo and mentions VCD in the manual (page 13 and 16 Uk version).

When playing a VCD the PBC (play back control) logo comes up on the display. when using version 2 compliant VCD's not ver 1.1 (for more info search forum).


Info on how to multi region:-

1. Press the DVD/CD button on the remote control

2. Press the Open button on the remote control to open the drive tray

3. Using the remote control, press the buttons C, 2, 5, 8, 0 and C, in order, one at a time
4. The word TESTMODE should appear on the DVD display, and the onscreen display should indicate the current region setting

5. Press the Up Arrow on your remote control until 14 02 is shown on the onscreen display
Note: The 02 indicates the current region and may be different depending on what your player is currently set to

6. Using the remote control, press the buttons 1 and then 4, then enter 0 and 0 for multi-region, or 0 and 1 for region 1, or 0 and 2 for region 2, and so on

7. Press the Enter button on the remote control

8. Press the Return button on the remote control

9. The word TESTMODE should appear on the DVD display

10. Press the C button on your remote control

11. A message should be displayed stating EEP CLR followed by EEP ERR

12. Place your DVD in the drive tray

13. Press the Return button on the remote control

[althor74]

It appears the problem is that Aiwa made this DVD player in region 2 (and whater region Japan is, 3?) with VCD and made region 1 withOUT VCD. Crazy at it sounds!

The manual I downloaded on the U.S. aiwa site mentions nothing about VCD. The manual on the european site talks all about VCD's.

So my final question is, does anyone know if Aiwa makes firmware updates for their DVD players? I'd love to see if there's a new firmware that would allow the player to play VCD's. Heck, I'd even install the region 2 firmware.

John, I've already tried the region free code. It DOES work to make it region free, but it still doesn't play VCD's. One question about the region free code, is it a permanant switch? Or do you have to re-enter the code for every DVD - or every time to turn the player off/on?

[jpd3]

Its region free ever time the DVD is operated but can be set back to region specific.