Now I find that the 737 can't play my SVCDS!

[Jon Weaver]

I am getting frustrated now.

I am trying to get a working SVCD solution!

I managed to make some SVCDs which played on a Pioneer 525 using a PC program called Nero.

However, these wouldn't play on my Samsung 709.

I found out that there is a known problem using Nero and tried them using WinOnCD.

These now worked on the Samsung and STILL worked on the 525.

It was clear that the Pioneer was the way to go for SVCD support.

As the 525 supported them, I felt that there was almost no point in trying them on my chosen model (737).

However, today I found one in a shop.. Inserted my SVCD and its started playing... AS A CD.. Not a SVCD.

The 737 plays my VCD OK, but will not play any of my SVCDs!

Has anyon tried playing SVCDs on a 737?

[Jon Weaver]

Just got the answer..

THe list on 'www.vcdhelp.com' shows the 737 as NO to SVCD support.

Disturbingly, it also shows NO on the 636..

The x2x range seem to handle them fine.. Wonder why Pioneer removed the functionality.

I am relieved that I checked.. That could have been one expensive mistake!

[Reiner]

Your chance to teach me a lesson: Did you find out if the SVCDs are replayed in SVCD mode (MPEG-2 with SVCD resolution) or somehow "downconverted" to VCD (MPEG-1)?

[Jon Weaver]

Reiner,

Even DVD player which I have found which does play VCDs (Samsung 709, Pioneer 525 etc), play them perfectly.

I don't actually follow what you are asking.

The difference between VCD and SVCD ins't only the resolution, but the fact that its MPEG2 instead of MPEG 1 (plus there is more bandwidth too).

The thing with SVCDs is that they are 468x576 resolution.. Thats 576 HIGH.. This means that the image is streched.. Much like Anamorphic on DVD.

This is then squashed back down in to 4:3.

This give a higher vertical resolution (Almost 2 x that of VHS) than horizontal.

If you can get SVCDs to work, they are actually quite impressive.. The 'block' a bit when there is a lot of movement, but other than that, they are good.