Commerical vs Burned VCDs

[dohnsco]

I have several DVD players that are supposed to be VCD compatible (Sony DVP-CX870D and Sharp DV-710U are the latest). I have no trouble playing commercial VCDs I bought in the Orient or any of these units, but they reject VCDs created either on my computer with Roxio 5 CD Creator or on a Terapin stand-alone VCD writer. The DVD units are supposed to be compatible with both 1.0 and 2.0 VCD formats. I can play the VCDs I create on either the computer or the Terapin without problems. Am I doing something wrong, or is it a limitation of the DVD players?

[BadAsh]

Most all DVD Players can play VCD discs but not all can play VCD-R discs.

If you buy a VCD it will have been "pressed" or burned to a CD Silver. The CD-R discs you buy at the store typically have a colored dye in them such as blue or green. It is this dye that makes it difficult for some players to read.

With experience, most of us here have found that CD-RW Discs will work in 99% of all standalone DVD Players out there. Of course there are a few exceptions but most Generation 2, 3 and later DVD Players can play VCDs that were burned on CD-RW media. Yeah, CD-RW discs cost more but if you plan on creating alot of VCDs you might want to look for some good deals.

I have tested VCD-RW discs on newer Toshibas (1200 and 1600) as well as Panasonics (A-120) and they work fine where as VCD-Rs do not work on these machines.

Lately I have been using Imation 74Min 4x CD-RW discs. These discs typically cost less because they can only be burned at 1x-4x speed but the drastic price difference makes them worth it.

For more information about CD-R media, dye and quality, check out CDMediaWorld:

CD Dye
www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/cd_dye.shtml

CD Quality
www.cdmediaworld.com/hardware/cdrom/cd_quality.shtml

Good luck!

[vitualis]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-07-17 05:21:05, BadAsh wrote:
Most all DVD Players can play VCD discs but not all can play VCD-R discs.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

VCD-R?? To stop any confusion, there is no "VCD-R", just CD-R or CD-RW.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>If you buy a VCD it will have been "pressed" or burned to a CD Silver.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

They are just pressed (that is, like an ordinary audio CD or CD-ROM). If the VCD was burnt, then it will have the same media problems as any other CD-R (despite what colour it is).

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>With experience, most of us here have found that CD-RW Discs will work in 99% of all standalone DVD Players out there.</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

There are caveats to this. Most stand-alone DVD players will play SOME brands of CD-RW media. But that doesn't mean that you'll find one media that will play on 99% of all players.

Regards.

_________________
Michael Tam

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: vitualis on 2001-07-17 06:08:13 ]</font>

[mrcdr]

In short, your players can only play commercial VCD but not home made VCD by using CD-R. That is, they can't read CD-R.

Try CD-RW. It works better in most DVD player. But not every brand is the same. You have to try different brands. I found that Mr. Write CD-RW works best. You can order online from http://www.computer123.com at $3.50/10 pcs. Browse:Media, Brand: Friendly CD Tek.