DVD 25 (serv.man9) - Harman Kardon Audio User Guide / Operation Manual. Page 30

30 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 25 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 25 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 25 as you
would do with any other CD or DVD disc. The
unit takes a few seconds to read the disc’s con-
tents, the VCD Disc Type and the red PBC indica-
tors in the front panel display will light and the
disc will begin playing. 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 25,
particulary if the disc has been created under
VCD Version 2.0 with Playback Control (see right
side of that page).

When playing VCD discs, most standard DVD/CD
playback controls are used, including Play, Stop,
Pause, Resume, Track Skip Forward and Reverse,
Slow Forward, Step Forward and Fast Forward or
Reverse Search. The functions Slow Reverse, Step
Reverse are not available with VCDs.

Note that also with VCDs you have the same
access to detailed informations on the disc play-
ing or on current player setting as with DVDs by
pressing the INFO button on the remote once or
twice. See  chapter "Information Menus" on
page 23.

Using the Ez Menu (On-Screen Banner) 
for VCD Playback
When playing VCD discs it is possible to access
the disc’s features using the on screen Ez Menu
Banner as shown for CD playback on page 26.
Press the Ez MENU button on the remote to see
the Ez Menu Banner. Note, however, that when
the PBC is on, some features may be not avail-
able with that VCD.

Use of functions when the PBC is on will vary
according to the disc type. With some VCD discs
you may select the Bookmark feature, with oth-
ers not. Note that when the disc was created
with Playback Control PBC (see below) 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, as described for CD on page 27.

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

Note that the PBC indicator in the front display
will turn on automatically with any VCD, when
the disc is played.

With PBC you can select Titles and navigate the
disc as with DVD’s. But the access to some func-
tions may be prohibited by the PBC playback
control, in that case the prohibit icon will appear
on screen.

When the VCD is made without PBC, the disc can
be controlled like a normal CD. But direct track
access by entering a number is not possible with-
out opening the Ez Menu Banner  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 disc menu (if VCD
was created with any menu) is accessed and con-
trolled 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 the
Ez Menu Banner is on.

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

TRACK BRIGHTNESS

COLOR

TIME

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

CONTRAST

BOOKMARK

V-MODE

TRACK

  

MARK

TRACK

V

 1

0

0

0

OFF

00:00:17

0