DVD 1500 (serv.man2) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual. Page 29

28 VCD PLAYBACK

VCD Playback
VCD is a format that predates DVD which is
based on a different compression format than
DVD and a recording method that is similar to
CD. Although the DVD has, for the most part,
replaced VCD as a format, the DVD 1500 offers
VCD playback so that you may play your existing
library of VCD discs.

There are two versions of the VCD format: an
early version which is simply called “VCD” and a
later version with Playback Control which is
called “Version 2.0” or “PBC”. The DVD 1500 is
compatible with both forms of VCD, although
playback will vary according to which version is
used and the specific way in which the disc was
created.

Even though VCD discs provide video, because
the format is based on CD technology, the play-
back functions for a VCD disc are similar to CD.
To play a VCD disc, place it in the DVD 1500 as
you would any other CD or DVD disc. After the
unit takes a few seconds to read the disc’s con-
tents, the VCD Disc Type Indicator will light and
the disc will begin playing. If the disc has been
created under VCD Version 2.0 and/or allows
Playback Control, a red PBC Indicator will light in
the display. However, keep in mind that the exact
level of functionality for any VCD will vary widely
and it is ultimately determined by the way the
disc was created, not by the DVD 1500.

When playing VCD discs, most standard DVD/CD
playback controls are used, including Play, Stop,
Pause, Forward, Slow Play, Step Forward and Fast
Forward or Reverse Search (x2, 4x and 8x
speeds). The indications for fast play in either
direction work as described for DVD/CD playback
on page 14.

Using the On-Screen Status Bar for VCD
Playback
When playing VCD discs and the Play Back
Control PBC is turned off (see below) it is possi-
ble to access the disc’s features using the on
screen Status bar as shown for CD playback on
page 24. Press the STATUS button on the remote
to see the Status Bar. Note, however, that when
the PBC is on, some features are not available
with that VCD, they will be shown with grey
background on the Status Bar rather than green.

Use of functions when the PBC is on will vary
according to the disc type. With some VCD discs
you may select the IntroScan and Bookmark fea-
ture, with others not. Note that when the red
PBC indicator lights up in the front display, it is
not possible to change track numbers directly.

Depending on the disc’s functionality, some VCD
discs allow the time display to be changed, even
with PBC turned on, as described for CD on page
24.

Playback Control
VCD discs made under the Revision 2.0 specifi-
cation will usually offer PBC playback control.

With PBC you can select Titles and navigate the
disc as with DVD’s. But with the DVD 1500, PBC
can be turned off/on with all VCD’s at your dis-
cretion.

PBC turns on automatically when a VCD is
detected.

In Stop and Resume mode pressing TITLE will
turn the PBC mode and the red PBC indication in
display off/on, in Play mode pressing TITLE will
turn the PBC on/off and the disc will be played
from the beginning. When PBC is turned on or
off, an appropriate message will appear on the
screen for some seconds.

When PBC is off, the disc can be controlled like a
normal CD. But direct track access by entering a
number is not possible without opening the
Status bar on the screen.

With PBC many discs include chapter selection
menus that are similar to those found on DVD’s.
However, on VCD discs the menus are accessed
and controlled differently than on DVD’s.

■ PLAY will start with the first track (which may

be an intro), then leading to the VCD menu 
(if any) automatically.

■ NEXT (Skip Forward) will skip to the VCD

menu from the intro (track 1) directly.

■ Once the menu options appear on the screen,

make your selection by pressing the Numeric
Button that corresponds to your desired
choice. The desired selection will begin playing
automatically.

■ Direct number entry without any VCD menu

shown on screen has no effect, also when
Status bar is on.

Note that the Menu Button used during DVD
playback is not used for VCD playback.