Player Compatibility Guide

Issues

There are several issues of concern regarding the compatibility of DVD/VCR/CD players.

• NonToggling commands - This means that the PLAY and PAUSE commands sent from our device do exactly and only what they should. See the topic: Non Toggling for a full description of this issue.

• Control Code compatibility - Does our device know how to talk to the Player?
  • With our older Universal Bio Interface device, many devices were supported through support codes. If you do have this product, then see Ubi Programming for further details.
  • With our current Feedback Media Platform device, it is set out of the box to control most Toshiba DVD players (Code 003 of Universal Bio Interface). However, this product allows configuration from our Windows application for other products, and can learn the control sequences directly from your Player remote control. See Training FMP^? for further information on teaching the FMP product new control codes.
• Player Features
  • Advanced, high-priced players sometimes contain an internal buffer which may be desireable by some customers, but for our purposes they add additional delay. Therefore, cheaper is better.
  • For a variety of other reasons, we don't recommend integrated Player/TV units, especially as portable DVD players. This is because you can't interrupt the video/audio signal between the Player and the Monitor, and so it is not compatible with our Biofeedback Video Mux product.

• • You will have the best picture reproduction if you can use the S-Video cable or COMPONENT VIDEO cables rather than the single (yellow) COMPOSITE VIDEO cable. Of course, you will need a TV that is also S-Video or COMPONENT VIDEO capable if you wish to take advantage of the improved picture you will get as a result.

Tested Players

The players on the market at any moment in time will change rapidly, such that we have a hard time keeping up with testing them all. However, we can list a few players here, that should be some help. Usually, the players can be operated by our Universal Bio Interface product but if they are toggling, they are not recommended. (List updated 9/09/2004)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Feedback Media Platform will control Toshiba models directly. If you don't alreay have a Player, use this one and avoid all setup!

Out-of-the-Box Compatibility (Feedback Media Platform product)

These products will work with no setup at all. If you are setting up a new system, buy one of these to avoid setup!

(Prices approximate. Please click on the links to purchase):

• Toshiba SD-3960 Progressive-Scan DVD Player with MP3 Playback (Code 003) $69
• Toshiba SDP1400 7-Inch Portable DVD Player (Code 003) $284 (OK for Universal Bio Interface product or Feedback Media Platform but not for Biofeedback Video Mux product.)
• Toshiba SD-5960 (Code 003)
• Toshiba SD-V392 Combo DVD/VCR player (Code 003) $129 (NOTE: Set the remote to DVD and use the manual control on the front panel of the player to select VCR. Don't use the VCR mode of the remote.)

Compatible DVD Players

These products are Non Toggling but will require configuration setup to use them. (Prices approximate. Please click on the links to purchase):

• JVC XVN40BK Progressive Scan DVD Player (Code 007) $79
• GO Video DV-1130 Combo DVD/VCR player (Code 009) $129 at Radio Shack
• Initial 10.2" portable DVD player/screen (Code 022) $400 or so at Wal Mart^?.
• Panasonic DVD-S475 (Code 006) $99
• Panasonic DVD-F65 (Code 006) $99
• Sylvania DLV700E (Code 020) $59

Incompatibile DVD Players

• Cyberhome CH-DVD-1500 (No Code - Same for all Cyberhome units; also toggling)
• Daewoo DVG-5300 (No Code)
• Magnavox MDV-456
• Mintek MDP-1010 Portable DVD Player (No Code)
• Mintek MDP-5860 Portable DVD Player (No Code)
• Samsung DVD-HD931
• Samsung DVD-P231
• Samsung DVD-L300 (No Code)
• Sony DVP-NS725P (See Note)
• Sony DVP-NC665P (See Note)
• Sony DVP-NS575P (See Note)
• Sony SLV-D350P DVD/VCR Combo (Code 040) (See Note) $149
• Sylvania DVC-845E
• Yamaha DV-S5650

Note: SONY is not recommended for new purchases, although many SONY units work well enough to be acceptable. These are "Half-toggling" in that PLAY does not toggle but PAUSE does. The UBI will be able to synchronize once PLAY has been used.

-- Raymond Lutz - 18 Mar 2005