DVD Players for Photo CD's

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well out of the blue tonight my wife says we should get a DVD player so she can put her pictures on CD's and play them. What DVD players can handle these. I have Easy CD Creator 5, which makes photo and video cd's. I have never made any of these yet. The pictures would be burned onto CDR's.

Does the Toshiba SD3750 handle these, and is it a decent DVD player? I don't watch alot of DVD's(ok none, since I don't own a player) but I would probably get some. TV's only a 27", but that big projection TV is just around the corner.

Thanks

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks for replying JohnnyG. Have you ever done any of this VCD. Reading the help files for Easy CD Creator it appears still images can somehow be converted and put on a VCD, which I assume would then play on a DVD player that handles VCD's.

I was really close to getting around a 50" HDTV set last winter, and I was considering ordering from you as your just a few hours away(and I'm more convinced that I'll order from you since you take the time to answer alot of posts), but a snowmobile got in the way of the TV. Maybe good luck on my part, cause the Toshiba's dropped a $1000 bucks soon after.

[JohnnyG]

KC, most DVD players do not handle photo CDs, but most handle VCD. Also ensure that the player is compatible with CD-R media.

The SD3750 fits the bill and it also offers progressive scan output which will come in handy with that 'just around the corner' purchase! (presuming it's an HD display, of course!)

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Go to www.vcdhelp.com. (http://www.vcdhelp.com.) They can tell you which dvd players play different types of cd's, cdr's etc.
Plus they have a section with screenshots on how to burn the cd's even with menu's(likedvds have) for your photo cd's.
I did one with our family tree and it looks great.

Personally, i like nero myself

[JohnnyG]

Sorry KC, I somehow missed your reply.

I've never cut a VCD disc myself, so I can't really help you there. I was just pointed to vcdhelp.com myself the other day. Looks like a very informative site.

[This message has been edited by JohnnyG (edited 10-19-2001).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks north, I have been to that sight and am reading up on this stuff. Do you do any video capturing? I'm not sure what to get, I have a Digital 8mm camcorder, so you can just get Fire Wire cards, or maybe a capture card that will do the converting to mpeg1 on the fly. Don't know, still researching. I have Nero, but it didn't appear to be as easy to pick up as ECDC. I didn't put much effort in though. I just wanted to throw together a disk to take around with me to try in the different players.

Thats ok Johnny, have you played any MP3 discs in the Toshiba and Panasonic DVD players? Seems some of them the listing of the songs comes up like the old 8.3 DOS days. The JVC I tried and full listing of all the songs, although no sound<g> Not sure who's problem that was.

What is the difference going to be with the Toshiba 3750 and the new 4700 that is coming?

Thanks

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks Johnny, through exhaustive research, I'm fed up. I can't believe how many stores I've gone to and no one has any DVD players hooked up. Sooooooo.....

I've decided it will be either the 4700 or 5700 Toshiba and hope their claims of playing VCD and MP3's are right. In your opinion which one should I get? Right now I'm not watching too many DVD movies, probably just the VCD(I know these players are probably overkill for that, but I will start to watch DVD's. The big screen is on the list for next year so I want one that works well with a ~55" RPTV. I was initially looking at the Toshibas, but alot of people here seem to like the Panasonics also.

Let me know which player and when they come in and I'll place my order.

Thanks

[JohnnyG]

KC, I'm not really into the whole MP3 thing, so I haven't tested for MP3 capabilities as yet. I did bring a 3750 home for the weekend and I gotta say that it's a very nice player! I've got a 4:3 HD set that doesn't do the vertical squeeze thing and note that the 3750 has excellent anamorphic downconversion. The 'Navi' menu is also very cool.

As for MP3, the manual states that you can get a listing of songs on the disc by pressing the Menu button, but there are no screen shots or anything to illustrate this function. I'll have to get a disc together and gather some first-hand experience.

The SD4700 will add DVD-Audio capability.

[JohnnyG]

There are exactly 2 differences between the 4700 and 5700: HDCD decoding and a silver chassis. That's it.

HDCD is for audio CD's (www.hdcd.com). It makes a slight difference on HDCD encoded discs, but it takes a good audio system to really detect it.