Specifications
CD-i FAQ 2000 Edition Revised February 21, 2001
Latest version and more CD-i info: http://www.icdia.org
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6.3.2 What version of the CD-i application should be used for the different Video-CD
versions?
When you make a Video-CD, make sure it contains at least version 3.0 of the Video-CD on CD-i
application, since the preceeding versions do not adapt themselves to the disc's contents. They
need to be customized at program level to work on a particular disc. Beginning with version 3.0,
when the application is placed on a Video-CD without any customization, it looks for the disc's
contents (tracks, chapters, the disc's name, etc.) and presents a menu accordingly.
Version 3.x of the application is especially designed for Video-CD 1.1, it recognizes the tracks
and the chapter numbers. Version 4.x is especially designed for Video-CD 2.0, this version
displays Video-CD menu structures, stills, etc. When you make a Video-CD 2.0 disc which
includes special 2.0 features (like the menu's and stills), and you want to be able to use them on
a CD-i player, you must use at least version 4.0 of the application. When you place a 3.x
application on a Video-CD 2.0 disc, you will still be able to access tracks and chapters, but you
won't see menu screens. This is because the menus in a 3.x application need to be made
especially for CD-i, and this is not taken care of by any Video-CD creation tool to date. On the
other hand, when you place a 4.x application on a Video-CD 1.1 disc, or on a Video-CD 2.0 disc
without any menu screens or stills, you will see the standard version of the application, adapted to
the discs contents.
To conlude: you can exchange both 3.x and 4.x applications on both 1.1 and 2.0 Video-CD discs,
but in order to use Video-CD 2.0 enhanced features on a CD-i player, the disc must include a 4.x
application. If you make a Video-CD 1.1 disc, or a Video-CD 2.0 disc without the special 2.0
features, and if you have the choice, use the 3.x application. The 3.x application is more stable
and generally has a better look than the 4.x application.
Please note: some CD-R tools with Video-CD creation functionality include a version of Video-CD
on CD-i that is not adapted to the Video-CD version that is created. For example: Adaptec Easy
CD Creator 4 creates Video-CD 2.0 discs with menus but includes a 3.x application. As explained
above this works fine, but special conditions apply.
6.3.3 How can I customize the Video-CD on CD-i 3.x application?
Version 3.x of the Video-CD on CD-i application can be extensively customized for display
exclusively on CD-i players. This allows for the replacement of the default background image, for
the creation of menus with hotspots which direct to other menus or video sequences and for the
adjustment of all kinds of settings of the application.
Most Video-CD creation tools do not allow you to make these CD-i specific adaptations.
Especially when menu-screens are concerned, this involves heavy knowledge of the format of the
image files and menu screens. The way on how to make these screens and menus is defined in
the Product Information and Installation Notes manual that is provided with the application when
you buy a license from Philips. Contact your CD-R software vendor for a copy when the
application was provided with your CD-R creation tool.
Besides the menu screens, there is also a general configuration file called CDI_VCD.CFG which
is placed in the /CDI directory on the Video-CD. It is a simple ASCII text file that is being read by
the application at startup, which then adapt itself to the given configuration. It contains settings to
change the color of the cursor, the type of background replacement, wether the menu bar should
be able to be recalled, the timecode to start with on a second disc, the initial track number (on a
second disc in a multi disc set), the initial subtitle language and color, the bumper interruption
time, the time out value and wether the scan options should be available. The last one might be
important, please refer to: 6.5 Why can't I fast forward or reverse with some discs? hereafter.