my Sony DVP-S330 can't read the VCD

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While I've been unable to "burn" a VCD using Easy CD Creator (ver. 3.5a or 3.5c)of an mpeg file created using the Snazzi PCI, I have had success with both WinOnCD and Nero. But while the "burned" VCD was read by my computer based DVD (Creative Dxr2-5x), my stand alone Sony DVD-Video CD player (DVP-S330) dosen't "see" the CD-R disc. The instructions for the DVP-S330 say that it can play both ver 1.1 and 2.0 discs. The Cd-R disc was made on a Plextor PX-R412C.

-- Tim Bodnar (timwb@earthlink.net), November 11, 1999

Answers

Some SONYs cannot read a CD-r, so "burn" your VCD on a CD-rw disc that should work. I tested a few Sony players to find that the TOP of the Line player can only read a CD-r disc while the least expensive one only reads CD-rw disc. I settled for the Phillips/Magnavox for it's low cost and it's ability to read both types of disc. ernie

-- Ernst Desir (edesir@mindspring.com), November 12, 1999.

As stated before, according to the manufacturers, the current crop of DVD's (RCA, TOshiba, Sony, ProView, Etc) carried by major department stores all have single pickups (to save them a few bucks), you won't have much luck with single pickups regardless and may damage the CD-r. Pioneer and Phillips are the only 2 current brands carried in major chains that read/play CD-r (they have dual pickups still) and only hte Pioneer converts PAL to NTSC and vice-versa correctly.

I can't say for sure, as this may not be true for older production units of the same models, but all Sony models that are in the stores in my area currently have the single pickups.

Steve

-- Steve (beepblip@hotmail.com), November 12, 1999.


Steve is correct. I would have said Sony is a safe buy where CD-R compatibility is concerned, but it appears they have regressed into not using their once oft-touted "dual discrete laser pickup" in their newer DVD players. Shame. The only way really now is to get a known working audio CD-R and test your intended set-top before plonking down the bucks. Sony is not too kind on this CD-R business. It should be noted that their CD-R media line is one of those very few for PC that has SCMS in it. That means you can't make a copy of a copy digitally, of a Sony audio CD-R. You would think this only applied to CD-Rs specifically for use on set-top audio CD recorders, like the one from Philips, and that cheap CD-R media for PC is not game, like so many other media manufacturers treat it. Sony thinks otherwise, and why not when it also produces a fair amount of content.

-- EMartinez (epmartinez@hotmail.com), November 13, 1999.

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