After e-mail Sony 3 times--asking the same question, with responses from Sony, but none of which answered the question this is what I finally got from them: (my last question to them is at the bottom of the post)
Thank you for contacting SONY.
You have reached the SONY Customer Information Services Center. We are responsible for providing technical support for SONY audio and video equipment. The information you request is beyond the scope of what we are able to provide.
Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.
The SONY Internet Group
Customer Information Services Center
CU55
Original Message Follows:
-------------------------
Okay, according to the instruction manual it will play VCD, but there are a variety of formats within the VCD realm. There is the basic VCD format,which is pretty horrible and I seriously doubt that with the power of the Sony 9000ES it would be limited to that. There are XVCD formats which are
VCD formats with a higher bit rate, but still MPEG1 encoding. There are SVCD formats which are very high bit rate--up to DVD rates and use MPEG2 encoding. However, in order for a system to recognize a disc appropriately the format, bit rate, and frame size must be encoded properly (including the correct audio bit rate). I have software that is nearly infinitely flexible--but that leads to my original 2nd question:
"2. I need specific formats (including the combinations that will play back, resolution, bit rate, audio bit rate, are all important). I'm trying to make the best quality possible."
You still haven't even attempted to answer my first question which is what brand of CD-R and CD-RW will play in the Sony:
"1. I need specific brands of CD-R and CD-RW that work with the 9000ES."
I have tried CompUSA (CD-R), Samsung(CD-R and CD-RW), and Memorex (CD-R and CD-RW). None of these worked. The Sony did recognize the Memorex CD-RW and the number of tracks--but could not play it. On the other hand, I'm having
very good luck with my Pioneer players at playing all of these media brands (but my Pioneer players are very limited in terms of VCD formats--they only play the basic VCD format--which is why I am desperately trying to get this
to work on the Sony).
Lastly, it might interest you that Sony's reputation for customer service is among the worst in all of the audio and video forums. I hope that this time you will read these questions completely and answer them completely. I
would think that a relatively high end DVD player (with superb video performance I might add) would deserve a little better customer service.
Thank you for contacting SONY.
You have reached the SONY Customer Information Services Center. We are responsible for providing technical support for SONY audio and video equipment. The information you request is beyond the scope of what we are able to provide.
Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.
The SONY Internet Group
Customer Information Services Center
CU55
Original Message Follows:
-------------------------
Okay, according to the instruction manual it will play VCD, but there are a variety of formats within the VCD realm. There is the basic VCD format,which is pretty horrible and I seriously doubt that with the power of the Sony 9000ES it would be limited to that. There are XVCD formats which are
VCD formats with a higher bit rate, but still MPEG1 encoding. There are SVCD formats which are very high bit rate--up to DVD rates and use MPEG2 encoding. However, in order for a system to recognize a disc appropriately the format, bit rate, and frame size must be encoded properly (including the correct audio bit rate). I have software that is nearly infinitely flexible--but that leads to my original 2nd question:
"2. I need specific formats (including the combinations that will play back, resolution, bit rate, audio bit rate, are all important). I'm trying to make the best quality possible."
You still haven't even attempted to answer my first question which is what brand of CD-R and CD-RW will play in the Sony:
"1. I need specific brands of CD-R and CD-RW that work with the 9000ES."
I have tried CompUSA (CD-R), Samsung(CD-R and CD-RW), and Memorex (CD-R and CD-RW). None of these worked. The Sony did recognize the Memorex CD-RW and the number of tracks--but could not play it. On the other hand, I'm having
very good luck with my Pioneer players at playing all of these media brands (but my Pioneer players are very limited in terms of VCD formats--they only play the basic VCD format--which is why I am desperately trying to get this
to work on the Sony).
Lastly, it might interest you that Sony's reputation for customer service is among the worst in all of the audio and video forums. I hope that this time you will read these questions completely and answer them completely. I
would think that a relatively high end DVD player (with superb video performance I might add) would deserve a little better customer service.