Hi All,

Using TMPGEnc, I have converted several tracks from my collection of
CD's to mpeg1-layer2 audio (.mp2). Then I remultiplexed them using the
TMPGEnc MPEG tools, with an empty video stream to create MPEG-1 program streams with only audio content.

Next, I converted some JPEG pictures I got from my digital camera using
VCDEasy to MPEG stills, at 704x578 (or whatever the appropriate setting
is for PAL).

I had VCDEasy author a VCD for me with only a single MPEG still on it. Then I opened the .xml file, and added a number of <segment> items, referring to the MPEG-1 program streams. Then I edited the <selection> section, so that the still picture would play immediately, wait 0 seconds, jump to the first audio program stream, which would jump to the next, and so on...

VCDEasy then authored this (from the .xml file) to a bin/cue file which
I could burn easily. This VCD runs fine under WinDVD on my notebook,
but when I insert in in my Sony DVP S536D standalone player, I get to see the MPEG still, but...

The audio starts playing allright, but the player itself looses the timing after about 30-40 seconds (the display won't update). Then after 2 minutes and odd seconds, the player will stop playing audio, and the progress display will say 0:05 (i.e. reset to 5 seconds of the current 'track'). If I press next, or wait enough, it will start playing, the next track.

Now, TMPGEnc does warn me about possible problems, I suspect because I have let the video section for the program stream remultiplexing empty. VCDEasy does complain a bit on padding.

I believe that when the program streams are compliant, that this way of authoring a VCD music album with an MPEG-1 still is indeed VCD 2.0 compliant, and that the player should play the music.

Two questions:

* is anyone aware of limitations of the Sony DVP S536D player regarding
its interpretation/support of the VCD 2.0 standard?

* is there a better tool to create MPEG-1 program streams from
MPEG-1 layer II audio streams?

Any comments or opinions are greately appreciated,

Regards,

Robert L.