Harman Kardon DVD 25 Owner's Manual

Also see for DVD 25: Brochure & specs Brochure Service manual Reference guide Owner's manual

VCD PLAYBACKVCD PlaybackVCD, a format that predates DVD, is based on adifferent compression format than DVD and a recordingmethod that is similar to CD. Although the DVD has, forthe most part, replaced VCD as a format, the DVD 25offers VCD playback so that you may play your existinglibrary of VCD discs.There are two versions of the VCD format: an earlyversion which is simply called “VCD” and a laterversion with Playback Control which is called “Version2.0” or “PBC.” The DVD 25 is compatible with bothforms of VCD, although playback will vary accordingto which version is used and the specific way in whichthe disc was created.Even though VCD discs provide video, because theformat is based on CD technology, the playbackfunctions for a VCD disc are similar to CD. To play aVCD disc, place it in the DVD 25 as you would dowith any other CD or DVD disc. The unit takes a fewseconds to read the disc’s contents; the VCD DiscType A and the red PBC Indicators I in thefront-panel display will light and the disc will beginplaying. However, keep in mind that the exact level offunctionality for any VCD will vary widely and it isultimately determined by the way the disc was created,not by the DVD 25, particularly if the disc has beencreated under VCD Version 2.0 with Playback Control(see “Playback Control”).When playing VCD discs, most standard DVD/CD play-back controls are used, including Play, Stop, Pause,Resume, Track Skip Forward and Reverse, SlowForward, Step Forward and Fast Forward or ReverseSearch. The functions Slow Reverse and Step Reverseare not available with VCDs.With VCDs you have the same access to detailedinformation on the disc playing or on the current playersetting as with DVDs by pressing the Info Button Aon the remote once or twice. See “Information Menus”on page 26.Using the On-Screen Banner Display for VCDPlaybackWhen playing VCD discs it is possible to access thedisc’s features using the On-Screen Banner Displayas shown for CD playback on page 28. Press theStatus Button D on the remote to see the BannerDisplay. Note, however, that when the PBC is on, somefeatures may be not available with that VCD.Use of functions when the PBC is on will vary accord-ing to the disc type. With some VCD discs, you mayselect the Bookmark feature, but not with others. Notethat if the disc was created with Playback Control(PBC) [see below] it is not possible to change tracknumbers directly.Depending on the disc’s functionality, some VCD discsallow the time display to be changed, even with PBC,as described for CD on page 28.Playback ControlVCD discs made under the Revision 2.0 specificationwill usually offer PBC playback control.The PBC Indicator I in the front display will turn onautomatically with any VCD, when the disc is played.With PBC, you can select titles and navigate the discas with DVDs. However, the access to some functionsmay be prohibited by the PBC playback control; in thatcase, the prohibit icon will appear on screen.When the VCD is made without PBC, the disc can becontrolled the same as an audio CD, but direct trackaccess by entering a number is not possible withoutopening the On-Screen Banner Display.With PBC, many discs include chapter selection menusthat are similar to those found on DVDs. However, onVCD discs the disc menu (if any) is accessed andcontrolled differently than on DVDs.• Play will start with the first track (which may bean intro), then leading to the VCD menu (if any)automatically.• NEXT (Skip Forward) will skip to the VCD menufrom the intro (Track 1) directly.• Once the menu options appear on the screen, makeyour selection by pressing the Numeric Keys that correspond to your desired choice. The desiredselection will begin playing automatically.• Direct number entry without any VCD menu shownon-screen has no effect – even when the StatusBanner is on.The Menu Button B used during DVD playbackis not used for VCD playback.32 VCD PLAYBACK