What is SVCD??

Sr_C wrote on 8/15/2002, 12:22 AM

I have been printing most of my projects to tape as I haven't yet invested in a DVD burner and I am not impressed with the quality of VCD. What is SVCD? How much better is it compared to VCD? Do you burn it to regular CD media? Can it play in DVD Players like regular VCD's? Just curious. Thanks

Comments

jeffy82 wrote on 8/15/2002, 1:00 AM

Answers in almost the exact order asked the questions.

http://www.vcdhelp.com/svcd.htm
Sorry, I havn't figured out how to make a url a link in this forum.

If you scroll to the bottom, there is a chart comparing all formats.

Many people will disagree, but personally, I like SVCDs & XVCDs. For speed & cost alone, SVCDs or XVCDs can be quite economical. DVD cost 10x more than CDRs. It is true, however that the main thing you are giving up is capacity(duration). A one (1) hour DV video, when compressed, may take 2 SVCDs (near DVD quality), where it would only take 1 DVDR.

I don't know what kind of equipment you have now, but any CDburner can make SVCDs. The only investment you may need to make is a new DVD player. Your current model may not be capable. TO VERIFY, its capabilities, get the model number off of it, and check the DVDPlayer database (link shown below). This is the largest database of its kind ANYWHERE on the net. I would also use this resource before buying a new one. Remember, more $$$ DOES NOT mean more features.

http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php

Jeffy82@aol.com

Sr_C wrote on 8/15/2002, 4:14 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunatly, it doesn't look like my DVD player is compatible. However They did have a link to a program that they say you can "trick" your DVD player into thinking its playing a VCD when it is actualy a SVCD.

Here is the link: http://www.geocities.com/newestmoviesencode/dvdvcd

Has anyone tried this? Does it work? I will try it out myself in a couple days.

jeffy82 wrote on 8/16/2002, 7:21 AM

Keep in mind, for any "altered header trick" to work, there would still be many physical/firmware requirements, for example, the motor inside the drive would need to be able to spin the cdrom at 2-3x, which can be much faster than the 1x it would normally need to read an audio CDrom, Vcd, or DVD.

Before you waste anymore time. Just scrap together $85.00 & buy the APEX 1500 from Amazon.com. Amazon Link It will play almost anything you throw at it. Works with PAL or NTSC. From the DVDListing, have it sort by highest rated. I think it's in the top 10.

Read about the other possible benefits/hidden features. Firware up/downgradable. Eliminates Macrovi..."cough", and region code "cough". I own one myself. and works splended.

Yes it's cheap, and flimsy, and could very well break in a few months. So what, no big loss. If you want better quality, most new Pioneers are great. But see the listing to be sure.

Jeffy82@aol.com