Creative PC-DVD Encore ====================== This file contains additional information to supplement the user manual. Please read all the sections before you proceed with the installation. This file contains the following sections: 1. Installation/Uninstallation 2. Video Configuration After First Installation 3. Auto Alignment Fails 4. Knowing The Hardware And Firmware Version Numbers Of Your PC-DVD Drive 5. DVD Movies Playback 6. Tips For Handling DVD Discs 7. Video Playback Problem In "Claw" 1. INSTALLATION/UNINSTALLATION The device drivers for the decoder card are available on both the diskette and the CD. During the installation, you are asked to select the regional code. Refer to the GETTING STARTED manual, Appendix B, for the correct regional code. If an incorrect regional code is entered, you may enter a new regional code by uninstalling the software, and then reinstalling the PC-DVD Player software. Before un-installing the software, close all open programs. You can change the regional code up to five times; the installation prompt displays the counter. If you do not need to change the regional code during reinstallation, choose NO on the prompt. 2. VIDEO CONFIGURATION AFTER FIRST INSTALLATION For proper video configuration after first installation or re-installation, launch the dvdplayer to playback DVD movie or any mpeg files. The application will detect that it is first installation and proceed with the video configuration. 3. AUTO ALIGNMENT FAILS To solve this problem, do one or more of the following: - Ensure that the loopback cable is properly connected to the decoder card and the graphics display card. Refer to your PC-DVD GETTING STARTED manual for more instructions. - Ensure that the video is not full screen during auto alignment. - If the video auto-alignment still fails (even though the overlay video is displayed), you have to manually align the video. Refer to the topic, "To adjust the video alignment", in your online help file for more instructions. 4. KNOWING THE HARDWARE AND FIRMWARE VERSION NUMBERS OF YOUR PC-DVD DRIVE You need to take note of the hardware and firmware version numbers of your PC-DVD drive. These numbers will enable Technical Support to identify the model of your PC-DVD drive if you need to call Technical Support to troubleshoot any problems involving your drive. To take note of the hardware and firmware version numbers of your PC-DVD drive: 1. Look for the sticker label on the top side of your PC-DVD drive. 2. Look at the serial code which is located just below the barcode on the sticker. The 7th character is the hardware version of your PC-DVD drive. For example, if the serial number is 7827PDA00001, the hardware version is A. 3. As for the firmware version, it is located next to the serial number. For example, F/W = 1.0A means that the firmware version is 1.0A. 5. DVD MOVIES PLAYBACK PC-DVD Player supports DVD titles that conform to DVD 1.0 specification. The following are some of the frequently asked questions on playing DVD Video titles. Q. Why can't I file open a .VOB file on the DVD Movie disk for playback? A. The file is probably copy-protected. To play the file, open the PC-DVD Player, click on the Open File button (see the GETTING STARTED manual), select the VIDEO_TS.IFO file in the VIDEO_TS directory, click on the Open button. Q. Can I play movie titles of any other regional codes other than that specified during installation? A. No. Q. Why can't I fast-forward through the Warning Message for some movie titles? A. This is set during the DVD mastering by individual producers. The PC-DVD Player cannot overwrite this setting, and so the fast-forward is disabled. Q. Why can't I select certain menu items? A. Some of the "hot spots" for menu items are very small--a thin line or a dot. In such cases, try playing the video in full-screen or moving the mouse cursor slower. Q. Why does the menu page change without having to click the mouse button? A. Some menu items are set so that the mouse cursor is sensed whenever it touches the hot spot; most frequently, when the MORE button is touched, the next menu page is displayed. Q. Why are some selections such as audio and caption settings grayed out for certain movie titles? A. Support for audio, caption, and multi-angle settings differ from one title to another, especially for multi-angle. Sometimes, the setting can only be changed via the on-screen menu and not through the PC-DVD Player setting. Q. Why can't time search be used for some video clips? A. Some titles are mastered so that either time search is prohibited or they do not provide the necessary timing information. 6. TIPS FOR HANDLING DVD DISCS Dirt, scratches and fingerprint on a DVD disc may result in error in data reading. Such errors may result in momentary glitches in the movie during playback. You should handle DVD discs carefully, touching it at only the edges and the hole at the center. Do not touch the surface of the disc. Clean the disc with a damp, lint-free, non-abrasive cloth. Do not use any harsh cleaning agents. Wipe the disc in a straight motion from the hole at the center to the outer edge. Do not wipe the disc in a circular motion. 7. VIDEO PLAYBACK PROBLEM IN "CLAW" If you are playing "Claw" for the first time using the DVD-ROM drive, we recommend that you set your system to display at a resolution of 640x480 at 256 colors. After you have set the system's display properties, restart the system, and launch the PC-DVD Player. Select any video (.VOB) file in your "Claw" disc and play it (for example, the video file resides in the Claw\Movies directory). The PC-DVD Player will automatically configure at this display resolution you had set. Once this is done, you can enjoy playing the game in any other VGA display resolutions you want.