Question for IView (or anyone) about Hitachi and Pioneer pla

[chris1]

I just want to know if the Hitachi 415U or the Pioneer 343 can play subtitles on xSVCD's. It's important because I want to make svcds of anime, and I'd like to have the option of turning the subtitles on or off.

Second question: I know the bitrate max for the 343 is around 2600, and I figure that's pretty much the standard. But IView had mentioned that the Hitachi 505U (is that the correct model #?) could play xsvcds at over 5000kb. Can the 415U also do this? I need a definitive answer cause I have to choose between the 415 and the 343 soon.

If no-one knows, maybe someone could post a link to a bin of a known working 5000kb+ xsvcd and try it at the local store. I'd be willing to do that and settle this once and for all.

If anyone can help, I would be soooo grateful. Maybe even trade some anime.

Chris.

[next]

If you check the DVD Players list on this site it has been reported that the Hitachi 505u and 505E can handle both SVCD subs and tracks. The same list reports that the 343 cannot handle SVCD subs. The list is not always 100% accurate but its a start.

[chris1]

Yah, that's the problem though - the list isn't always accurate. I heard from one message that they do, another that they don't. One person even said the 343 plays subs (and I thought everyone said it didn't.)

Hitachi's website says it doesn't even support SVCD. sheesh. That's why I need to hear from someone who has the player(s) and can tell me for sure.

[Iview]

Chris,
Answer to question 1: the DVD Compatibility List says Hitachi will do subs, but I never work with sub, so I cannot give you a definite answer, sorry.
Answer to question 2: I have xSVCDs of 5000kb and play them on my Hitachi 505U (older model) no problem. reguarding to 415U (new model), I didn't have a 5000kb xSVCD with me when I tested it at my friend, so I cannot comfirm that. However, I did have a 3800kb xSVCD with me and it played fine and no stutter. So the 415U is at least capable of up to 3800kb (which is more than the Pioneer can handle), it might go up to 5000kb like the 505U, who knows?
SVCD is not an official format in North America, It was developed in China, that's why the official line of most DVD manufacturer is SVCD not supported. But quite a few of them can playback SVCD, or some even playback xSVCD (which is non-standard SVCD) even though the boxes do not list SVCD capable.
Best way to confirm is to encode short clips on 2 or 3 discs of your preferred formats and test it out in store.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Iview on 2001-10-08 16:40:43 ]</font>

[cosmicone]

Iview,

Would you have a copy if the XSVCD you tested? I own a 415U and tried the XSVCD, and the XVCD here on VCDHELP.com. Both nero images worked on my player, however they where choppy. I thought the Bitrate might be too high. I would like to see a XSVCD work on my player to see the quality. I would appreciate your reply.

Thanks,

Joe - joe@mtbkanata.com