TITLE
    Apple DVD Player version 2.0 beta 2 Read Me
Article ID:
Created:
Modified:
58476
10/5/99
10/13/99

TOPIC

    This article comprises the Read Me for the Apple DVD Player software.


DISCUSSION

    About Apple DVD Player, version 2.0 beta 2

    This document contains important information about your Apple DVD software that's not included in the printed information you received with your DVD player or the Apple DVD Player Help. It includes information about compatibility with other products, tips for using the Apple DVD Player Controller, and troubleshooting.

    Contents

    Apple DVD Player Compatibility

    Using the Apple DVD Player Controller

    Parental control

    Continuing after the FBI warning appears

    Selecting language preferences

    Selecting disc menu options using the keyboard

    Viewing quality

    Using the entire display

    Using external speakers

    Receiving error messages while playing a disc

    Apple DVD Player Compatibility

    Apple DVD Player 2.0 is a software-only DVD player. It is not compatible with the DVD hardware found in the Power Macintosh G3, PowerBook G3 series computers and Power Mac G4 (PCI graphics). Since this is a beta version, Apple provides only limited web based support for this software on Apple's web site at: http://www.apple.com/support . The latest information regarding Apple DVD Player can also be found at this site.

    Using the Apple DVD Player Controller

    While using the Controller, keep in mind the following:

    • Some DVD discs may not use all the features available on the Controller.
    • You can only use Next Chapter, Previous Chapter, Scan Forward, Scan Backward, Step, and Slow Motion buttons, and the Menu button while a disc is playing.
    • You cannot navigate a disc while it is paused or stopped.
    • You cannot eject a DVD disc from the Finder if the Apple DVD Player application is open. To eject the disc, quit the Apple DVD Player application or use the Eject button on the Controller.
    • To move the DVD Controller, you can drag any part of the Controller except a button.
    • Parts of the Controller may sparkle if it is placed over the Viewer window. To prevent this effect, hide the Controller or move it out of the Viewer window.
    • Some Dscs include instructions for using standard controls to access additional features on the disc. Following these instructions using the Controller may not work. If clicking the Next or Previous buttons does not work, first click the Play button.
    • Some DVD discs may contain on screen navigation menus that may respond slowly when using the arrow-keys on the keyboard.

    Parental control

    You can set parental controls to any Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rating: G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17. To set the parental control preferences, choose Preferences from the Edit menu and click the Parental Control tab.

    If a DVD disc supports parental control, the disc will not play if its MPAA rating is for a more mature audience than the rating you selected in the Preferences dialog box.

    Not every DVD disc supports parental control. If a disc does not support parental control, it will play regardless of the rating you have selected.

    If you have selected parental control, some DVD discs display a message to which you must respond to play the disc.

    Some DVD discs may not play unless you set the preference to the MPAA rating of the disc. For example, a disc rated G may not play although you selected PG-13 for parental control. To play the disc, set the rating of the Parental Control preference to the rating of the disc.

    Continuing after the FBI warning appears

    Some DVD discs use a still picture for the FBI warning. If a disc appears to pause when the FBI warning appears, press the Return or Enter key to continue playing the disc.

    Selecting language preferences

    Many DVD discs provide the soundtrack and subtitles in several languages. You can select the default language for the soundtrack and subtitles by choosing Preferences from the Edit menu.

    Your default language preferences for the soundtrack and subtitles become effective when you start playing the disc again or when you quit and open Apple DVD Player again.

    Because the soundtrack and subtitle languavided on DVD discs can vary, the default language you select may not be available on a specific disc. In this case, use the disc's interactive menus to select a soundtrack or subtitle language.

    Selecting disc menu options using the keyboard

    Some DVD discs do not support making selections in the disc's interactive menus using the mouse. Buttons in the disc's menus may not highlight when the mouse passes over them or they may not respond to mouse clicks. If you cannot use the mouse to make selections in a disc's menus, use the arrow keys to highlight a button, then press the Return or Enter key to select it.

    Viewing quality

    For the best viewing quality for your display, choose Normal Size from the Video menu. Choosing Fill Screen from the Video menu may give acceptable viewing quality as well.

    With widescreen titles, the black bars above and below the image are normal even if you choose Fill Screen.

    Viewing quality is optimized for screens that are 800 x 600 pixels or larger and display 256 or more colors. If you play a DVD disc on an external monitor and the video doesn't appear, use the Monitors & Sound control panel to reduce the number of colors to 256 colors.

    Using the entire display

    To use the entire display to view a DVD disc, choose "Present Video on Screen" from the Video menu, then choose Fill Screen.

    Using external speakers

    Because soundtracks for theatrical release movies are mixed for presentation in theaters, they have a wide dynamic range and the difference in volume between dialog and sound effects may be extreme. To fully appreciate the soundtrack of such a movie when viewing it on a DVD disc, you should use an external speaker system connected to the audio output port (stereo mini-jack) or, if available, the RCA audio ports on your computer.

    Note: The cables needed to connect the computer to external speakers are not provided.

    You can control the volume of the audio output port using the Controller or the Control Strip.

    The RCA ports are for use with a stereo receiver or other audio device with its own volume control. You cannot control the volume of the RCA audio ports using the Controller or the Control Strip.

    You may find that stereo headphones connected to the audio output port provide an acceptable listening experience.

    The computer's audio output port (stereo mini jack) can be connected to a television or stereo receiver if it has audio input ports.

    Receiving error messages while playing a disc

    DVD discs are susceptible to problems due to scratches, dust, and imperfections in disc manufacture. In addition, differences in disc authoring can result in errors in disc navigation. If you see an error message when playing a disc or experimenting with the features of a particular DVD disc, make sure the disc is clean and free of scratches. If you continue to see the same message, use the disc's interactive menus to select options.

    Some delay is normal when using dual layer DVD discs if the disc changes to a track on a different layer.


Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software; Peripherals
Category: Video
Sub Category: General Topics

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