What excatly is PBC ?!

[buzzsaw]

I just noticed when I insert a DVD PBC is not on, when I insert an authored SVCD PBC it turns on (player displays PBC in RED). I don't notice that it does anything at all. The player is an Apex 660 and the remote has a buttom 'PBC off' which toggles it. What excatly is PBC and why would I use / not use it?

Thank you!

[keckrodrigues]

buzzsaw, I guess it has something to do with interactvity. Like menus, chapters and these kind of stuff.

[elkfir]

Stands for PlayBack Control. Here's definition from the Glossary:

https://www.videohelp.com/glossary#PBC

[Dhruv]

Simply put, Play Back Control plays VCDs in the VCD v2.0 standard. This standard allows you to use interactive memus on your VCD (eg. for chapter selections or if you're burning multiple episodes onto one disc). However, the menus you can authour on VCDs are unlike the menus on a DVD. For one thing there is no 'real' navigation in VCD menus, you make your choice by pressing the corresponding number on your remote's numerical keypad (whereas with DVDs you can highlight your option).

That being said, it is still fun to try and make a menu system on a VCD, so don't let the disadvantages of VCD menus put you down!