Some Basic Questions ( I think )

[Shard92]

I have some questions about VCD/SVCD's

( 1) Is there a way to tell if a disk is VCD or SVCD? I read the What is's and while I understand the difference how can I tell one from the other?

( 2) I would like to convert various videoclip formats to something else and/or vcd, What kind of hardware should I have ( cpu/ram/video) to make this worthwhile.... I know kind of a vague question but I have older computers and wondering if it's even worth trying? (I DO NOT have a DVD so that isn't even a question. )

(3) Is there any way to tell what ver Mpg you have? ( mpg1 or mpg2 ? )

[bugster]

1) Just compare the fie structures on the CD against the specs.

2) Older slow computers work just fine, it simply takes longer

3) Use bitrateviewer.

[Shard92]

Thank you bugster. I am very new at this but have renewed interest after researching for a customer ( I'm a computer tech ).

Have another question for you.... I have a couple of VCD's that a friend sent me. Now she put them on Blue backed cdr's my stand alone DVD player wouldn't play them until i copied them to my own silver backed cdr's. Is that still a common problem? my standalone is rather old but one my brother bought awhile back said in the paper work to use only silver or gold backed cdr's. Just curious if this is a problem still? I prefer the silver ones for data myself but do know some who've had good luck with the different colored ones.

Thanks again for the info

[bugster]

Certainly the only reliable way to determine if a prticular type of media is ok with a particular dvd player is to test it out yourself. Having said that there is a lot of useful info on this kind of thing in the DVD players database linked on the left of the page.

[Shard92]

Thank you. In the computer world it isn't necessarily what you know but being able to find what you need to know... Thanks.

( Oh and no that is not a shot.... I'm saying I just don't know where to look and since I'm new at this there is a lot to take in.... Knowing where to look for what I want to know is huge.... Thanks.
)