OK, I finally got whitebook mpg from MP10. Now I have another problem. When trying to burn it with Nero 4.0.7.0 (which accepted it) and EZ CD Creator Deluxe (Which also accepted it) I cannot get it to play in the PSX VCD adapter (the image sort of sputters, no motion at all, audio is there though) and when I try playing it in my CDi The image quality is great, sound is great, but the picture continuously flickers and flips (Almost like a VHS about to die). Can someone help me? Is it the mpg? It looks great on the computer, but won't play correctly on anything. HELP!

-- Matthew Reel (sainttoad@rocketmail.com), November 08, 1999

Answers

Before anything, get a legitimate set-top VCD player. This could be a recent-generation DVD/VCD/CD player known to play CD-Rs. Those things you are using to try your created VCD are NOT quite legit (the PSX adapter and that CDi player), and are known to be unpredictable where VCDs are concerned. For example, fine as that PSX VCD adapter is, it doesn't play some ver 2.0 VCDs; freezing on an image with the sound continuing is another common fault. If, after having used a legit set- top and problems are still as they are then let's continue from there. Be serious; if you are at all to create VCDs of any type, get a true-blue VCD player first. NO, your s/w VCD player on your PC doesn't also cut it.

-- EMartinez (epmartinez@hotmail.com), November 09, 1999.

I agree with EMartinez in that playing on standalone VCD players are the true test for home made VCDs. These VCD units should be able to show whether a home made VCD is Ver1.1 or is Ver2.0, plays sequentially or has chapters that can be individually selected as like in a menu, has some bad sectors or is a complete dud.

The VCD made by Mathew may appears bad on his equipment, but it could still turn out to be a perfect legit VCD.

-- TOMO (ong@worksafe.wa.gov.au), November 10, 1999.

Hey!

I'm beginning to think you're right about it being unpredictable on CDi or PSX adapter, as we got half of the VCD (1 of 2) to work great on the CDi, but the other half now only plays about 30 seconds, then stops all together. I hear that version 2.0 can be quite buggy on PSX or CDi, is there any burning software that does version 1.0 or 1.1? That could work, I want to create a VCD that works on mostly everything. Let me know if you can help! Thanks!

-- Matthew Reel (sainttoad@rocketmail.com), November 10, 1999.

Okay, CDi players get confused with ver 2.0 VCDs and refuse to play the contents of the segment directory, or refuse to play the disc altogether. The HELP sections in Easy CD Creator state this clearly. To create a VCD that can be said to be amenable to CDi player wants, in Easy CD, you should check the CDi player application in recorder properties. Then the VCD should strictly be straight-play only (ver 1.0), no menus. To do this without invoking the somewhat confusing wizard (cancel it as soon as it comes out), the ONLY part of the VCD layout that should have anything in it is the START SEQUENCE. You drag the appropriate tracks/MPEG clips you've included in the items area on the left to the start sequence pane on the right. DON'T touch or put anything on the menu folder. In any event, you only get 'start sequence' in the drop-down because there is no MENU. This should make a ver 1.x VCD.

-- EMartinez (epmartinez@hotmail.com), November 11, 1999.

Thanks for the advice, I'll play around with it later today and see what happens!

-- Matthew Reel (sainttoad@rocketmail.com), November 12, 1999.