marquet@bohra.cpg.oz (John Marquet) (07/20/90)
G'day! We have a product called POSSUM (Pictures of Standard Syndromes and Undiagnosed Malformations) which runs on PC-compatibles and videodisc players from Sony, Pioneer and Philips. Recently Pioneer introduced a high end player, the LD-V8000, onto the NTSC market (we're PAL-D in Australia) that was supposed to be fully upward compatible with the LD-V4200. This posting is to warn prospective users that it isn't. Specifically, the command sequence "PASF" (pause, then step) will make the LD-V8000 step, but will only make the LD-V4200 enable its video for the current frame. If you're writing code for Pioneer equipment, I suggest you avoid the PA command entirely - it's evidently not meant for CAV applications. Pioneer is not alone in this kind of problem, by the way. The Sony LDP1200 is not entirely the same as the LDP1500, either, but the difference is less critical. Naturally, the manufacturers have wildly different command protocols. Anybody know of a body that's trying to arrive at a standard - or is it the "last man standing" that will win? John Marquet Manager, POSSUM project Computer Power Group 613 St. Kilda Road Melbourne 3004 Australia D