It doesn't really sound like an encoder problem to me. By testing the image files on your PC before burning you can check whether it's the encoding at fault or not. Here's a few pointers. Get Daemon Tools (freeware - do a google). Read the burning method described in the Q+A sticky Q61. Before burning the discs, when you mount the images in Daemon Tools open WinDVD/PowerDVD etc and watch from the image files on your PC. If it looks OK on the PC the encode is fine. If the problem is still present on the PC, the encode has gone wrong. Read the Mandatory Read sticky on how to construct your post, repost your problem with the relevant information and I'm sure you'll get some help. If the movie plays fine on your PC it is encoded correctly. It is likely in this case to be one of four problems. 1. Burned incorrectly/too quickly. Use the method in Q61 to burn and use a low burn speed (say start at 4x and work upwards till you find the max speed you can use without problems) 2. Bad Media - Try a different brand of CDR's. 3. Old/knackered CD Writer - see if you can get a friend to do a conversion and try that on your standalone. See if that works. 4. Problem with Standalone - firstly try searching for your player at , ensure it is SVCD and CDR compatible, that other users have no known issues with SVCD playback. If not and no combination of slow burning, media etc help you may have a cranky loader in your standalone. Not much you can do about it unless you have a warranty and a sympathetic retailer!