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Playing a VCD

You can play VCDs by using a DVD player, VCD player, or a computer.

DVD players that can play VCDs usually display "VCD" or "Video CD" on the exterior. If your DVD player plays VCDs, determine whether it can play compact disc recordable (CD-R) discs, compact disc rewritable (CD-RW) discs, both types, or neither type. If your DVD player does not play a certain type of CD, you should not use that type of CD when creating VCDs. If you are unsure whether your DVD player plays VCDs or if you experience problems when playing VCDs, consult the documentation that came with your player.

You can also play VCDs on several popular video game consoles. (VCD add-ons are required for most game consoles.)

Playing a VCD on your computer

You must have the appropriate software installed on your computer to play VCDs. For example, you can play VCDs on computers running the Windows operating system with Windows Media Player version 7 or later installed.

When you insert a VCD into the CD or DVD drive of a computer running Windows XP and Plus! Photo Story, the Auto Play dialog box appears. In this dialog box, you can choose to play the VCD automatically by using Windows Media Player.

If Plus! Photo Story is not installed on your computer, you can play the VCD by using VCD player software or by double-clicking the Avesq01.dat file on the VCD. If Plus! Photo Story is not installed on your computer, you can still use Windows Media Player to play the VCD by completing the following procedure.

To play a VCD by using Windows Media Player

  1. Insert the VCD into the CD or DVD drive.
  2. Start Windows Media Player.
  3. On the File menu, click Open.
  4. In the Look in list, click the drive that contains the VCD (usually PHOTO STORY VCD (drive letter:)).
  5. Double-click the Mpegav folder.
  6. In Files of type, click All files (*.*).
  7. Double-click Avesq01.dat.

    The VCD begins playing in Windows Media Player.

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