I have finished creating a VCD and have attempted to play it on my Sony DVD player which is suppose to be compatible for playing VCD but when I insert the disc into the player it keeps saying "no disc". Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
Just because your DVD player has a VCD sticker does NOT mean it can play every VCD... especially those of the home brew variety. I explain why several times, if you want details use the search feature of this forum for specifics.
To check out if YOUR DVD player is up to the task begin by checking it out on this extensive (searchable) list http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvr.php
My DVD Player is Compatible according to the compatibility list, is a Sony CD/DVD Player DVP S550D. I will try the CD-RW. I used the CD-R, maybe that is the problem. Thanks for your reply.
You have to have a DVD player with "dual lasers," or a similar option. What this is for, is playing any audio CD,or VCD burned on a home computer. Some of them even advertise that they are "CD-R & CD-RW compatible." I didn't know this when I bought my DVD player, and it does not play my homemade VCD's. :( So I bought a new one, that I don't really like, that does play CD-R and CD-RW discs.
Remember that even though a DVD player will say that is plays VCD's, this usually only pertains to manufactured discs, not CD-R and CD-RW discs! Make sure it says it will play them, or it has dual lasers.
DVD players that have dual lasers have them so they can play DVD disks and VCD disks. The reason some DVD players can't play home brew VCD's is usually due to reflectivity of the media. Commerical VCD's and DVD's are pressed, not "burned" to avoid laser bounce off which is the usual reason a homemade VCD can't be played.
While perhaps a little annoying, the best way to test is go ahead an burn your home brew CD, trying both CD-R and CD-RW formats on different brands of media then "test" if they play on the DVD you are considering at one of the so-called super electronic stores BEFORE YOU BUY at Best Buy or Circuit City or other similar outlets. :-)
A real CHEAP DVD Player that will play 'homemade' VCD's on CD-R or CD-RW is the APEX model. Available at WalMart stores around the country for about $99. It has alot of good features - albeit missing others (like optical outputs) - but what do you want for $99? It also plays MP3's burned on to a CD-R.
I have a $500 JVC DVD that won't play my VCD's :(
Almost all of the newer ones being shipped are CD/R/RW compatible. If in doubt - bring in a 'burned' VCD and try it in the display model. Just make sure it's G rated .