I just bought a new DVD player from........

[samkhadra]

I just bought a new DVD player from Argos that cost £37.95 its called the ALBA 45Xi, I have figured out the Multi-Region hack for it but I still can't get it to play VCD's I've heard it can but it hasn't worked for me so far can anyone give me some advice on what to do?

Here is a review on it:-

www.samtheonly1.com

That gives you an Idea on what it has!

Thanks in advance if you can help!

[RabidDog]

playing vcd is part of the Dvd spec... if it doesnt then its probably to do with the media. In theory it should be able to play vcd (and probably svcd) ... incidentally why did you choose this one ?? (I am looking around for a new player).

[samkhadra]

Everytime I try to play a VCD or SVCD it says Incorrect Disc Format but if I use this disc to play mp3's or wma's it works perfectly so I don't know what to do? Can someone help please?

[RabidDog]

Quick guess... you are just dumping movies to a data disc and plonking that in your player?? Vcd discs are specially formatted with say, vcdeasy (good) or nero 5.5 (v. good for newbies) choose the option in nero to create a VCD. Your player plays the mp3s and wmas off data disks as it expects them to be on this format.
(complete guesswork mind).

[samkhadra]

No I burn the VCD or SVCD's using nero clicking on either the Video CD option or Super Video CD option choose the files wait for it too encode the try to play it and it says Incorrect Disc Format, someone on this forum has the same problem!
Can anyone help please?

[wulf109]

Some DVD players don't support VCD,i.e.-Apex,because they won't pay the royalty to Phillips for use of their patented VCD technology.

[RabidDog]

Nope people are right, even in the argos ad it sat=ys plays dvds and cds, note no mention of vcd. Also read in another tech forum that it wont play vcd or svcd. Dont worry you can spend the money you saved on a dvd writer! (rushs back to argos clutching crummy DVd).

[samkhadra]

Do you suggest I return the player and look a better one can you give me an idea for a player for a cheap price that plays dvds, dvdrs, vcd, svcd, mp3's, wma's please! Thanks! In pounds would be nice thanks!

[Craig Tucker]

I have the alba 114's from argos they play everything ok. Don't know whether they still stock it. They also had the 108 and 119 which I believe played everything ok. Although the 108 needed a remote hack for VCD. Just take it back and try another one. The good thing about Argos it they have a 16 day no quibble money back guarantee. (unless you are buying y-fronts or ear rings)

[MeTaLgEaRsOoTy]

when was the last time you bought Y-fromnts in argos...ROFLMAO>> :P

dont bother getting another dvd player from asda...all the alba players/roadstar players are rubbish..sorry craig tucker..
go to asda and either purchase a pacific 1002,or a schneider 1003..they play everything,and they have a 3year warranty..far better than argos,
and at only £44..there a snip.
i had nothing but bother with the argos albas,and after a long chat with the "alba"tech staff..will never purchase another product from them again.

[Craig Tucker]

As long as my Alba does everything it's supposed to do then thats fine with me. They are only players for the bedrooms. They would be crap if they did'nt work properly or had problems with certain discs, but as they all work perfectly then they are not crap. They actually play discs that my £350 Pioneer won't play. I know Asda also has some good deals on DVD players and the 3 year warranty is worth having.

And I have never bought y-fronts from Argos or anywhere else. :P

[marvel2020]

Why not get a Cyberhome AD-L528 from www.richersounds.co.uk, they play everything apart from Divx's.

Just another option for ya

[RabidDog]

the apex players get a reasonable write up and I know tesco were selling A dansai which i think had the added bonus of playing dvd audio as well as the usual features mp3 vcd etc. Will take a look at that richersounds site as they are usually competitive on price.

the cyberhome player is a bit ugly, especially compared to the tosh sd220e (highly recommended)

go combat!

[samkhadra]

thanks!!