Cheap DVD player for Mini DVD's

[ScottV]

Hi,

Does anybody know if there is a cheap DVD player I can buy in the UK that will play miniDVD's (MPEG-2 on CD-R).
I've heard that Tesco's did a Wharfedale player for £180 but I'm not sure if it could play these discs.

Thanks.

[ScottV]

That's a shame. How about non-standard VCD's then. Say, with a data rate of 4000. I'm just not happy with the quality of standard MPEG.

BTW, what are SVCD's and can any players play these?

[tonysee]

SVCD is just an extended VCD format. Quality is more than VCD but less than DVD. 45 minutes fits on a CD-R, or 70+ minutes at a lesser quality.

Virtually any PC CD-ROM or DVD-ROM player can play SVCD's. As for DVD players, support is more limited outside of the Asian markets where SVCD is big. (Formats tend to spread like wildfire in Asia.)

I'm interested in authoring SVCD's once I get my RRG, so here are a few links I found in my travels.

SVCD Format Overview

Software which can be used to author SVCD's

[This message has been edited by tonysee (edited 09 May 2000).]

[AlgoRhythm]

Here's a link to a huge resource site on the Apex AD-600A.

<a href="http://www.nerd-out.com/apex/">http://www.nerd-out.com/apex/</a>

It is rumoured (I only say that because I don't have one) to play VCD, SVCD, DVD, MP3 CD, etc...

Enjoy!

AlgoRhythm

[This message has been edited by AlgoRhythm (edited 09 May 2000).]

[Phil Pugh]

ScottV,

There are no DVD consumer players that will play 'mini-DVD's' as far as I am aware. If anyone knows different please respond.

Phil

[ScottV]

Thanks for all the info eveybody.

Very helpful.

[Walrus]

AlgoRhythm:
Yes, the Apex can handle all of those (well to be fair, I have not actually tested MPEG-2 yet, though I assume it will). It's a bit quirky, and VERY hard to find, but overall a really nice unit.