Best video format for DVD players

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Permalink Reply by Steve Dickie on January 25, 2009 at 3:33pm

The most reliable thing would be to make a Video CD. Some players will also play other formats most often mpeg but some will even play divx files.

For a list of DVD players that will support various formats you should check out Videohelp.com

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Permalink Reply by Ariandrace on January 27, 2009 at 12:45pm

ACtually, I meant video format such as AVI, M4V, FLV, etc. Not what kind of CD... I don't want to waste 20,000 CDs trying to figure out which format.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Dickie on January 27, 2009 at 2:06pm

VCD or Video CD is a format designed specifically to be compatible with DVD players. But CD type will also be important as burnable CDs are not as reflective as DVDs and so may not work in all payers. CD-RWs are even less reflective.

Your best bet is to try to determine which formats your particular DVD player will play. I have two different DVD players at home. One will play DIVX, some AVI, and all MPEG files. The other one (which is newer and cost more) will not play any of them, but will play ones that I've burned as VCDs. If I was going to pick one format it would be MPEG1 or MPEG2. The problem with these is that they tend to be huge.

The other thing to realize is that there can be a lot of variation within AVI, M4V or FLV related to bit rate and resolution and your DVD player may have issues with that as well,, but again this will vary wildly amongst DVD players.

If you have the manual for the DVD player I'd start there. If not you might be able to find out on the manufacturer's website.

Good Luck.

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