Is SVCD format quite different than VCD? I have Shrek in SVCD, but my RCA DVD player won't play it. My dad has an APEX player and it works in his just fine.

I believe SVCD is a different compression method and so a player would have to be able to properly decode it to play. If your player can't decode it, it's not compatible.

There are DVD players that can't play VCD's, and there are some that can't play SVCD's. An Apex can generally play just about anything thrown at it, so it doesn't surprise me that your Dad's works.

Oh. I know mine is supposed to play VCD so I was just wondering. Thanks.

This is a great place for VCD info

http://www.vcdhelp.com/

RCA DVD players don't play SVCD discs. Chrisloker is right...that site is fantastic. Thanks to the info on that site, not only have I converted a lot of my hard-to-find VHS videotapes to VCD, but I've even ripped DVDs to VCD with stellar results.

If you're looking to replace the RCA (I used to have an RCA 5220P... super machine, but couldn't play VCDs on CDR media), I highly recommend either the Pioneer DV-343 or DV-434 (I picked up the 434). These are not only outstanding DVD players, but they play VCD, SVCD, and SxVCD, discs with the highest quality I've seen on a consumer DVD player.

I know that many people recommend the Apex players, but the quality of their playback is very poor.