Job Discussion Forums

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Now that I am getting settled here I need a movie source. Can VCD's be played on DVD's and vice versa? I would rather get acheaper VCD because I will be moving around a lot. Quality??? I was on an intercity bus here showing Die Another Day on VCD and the picture and sound seemed pretty good to me. Some tell me they are bad but they watch them on laptops. Also what about selection? The store I looked at had a great DVD selection but only a so-so VCD one. One more thing some students say the cheaper machines can break down a lot anfd the discs might stop halfway that sort of thing. That would drive me nuts---any input would be appreciated...

MartinK · Joined: 01 Mar 2003 Posts: 344

senor boogie woogie · Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 12:54 pm Post subject:

Hola!

As someone with over 100 VCDs in my colection, I can give you some advice.

If it is an "older" movie, the quality is about the same as a DVD. For example, I have a copy of "Forrest Gump" that is in excellent condition.

If the movie is a "new release", then it is usually a bad pirate. Usually it is someone who goes to a movie theatre with a video camera and tapes the movie while it is playing on screen. You will sometimes see someone geting up to use the bathroom. Sometimes, these are OK, but the quality obviously is not there. I do have a copy of "Road to Perdition" that is good. I remember watching an episode of Seinfeld in America where Kramer and a slimy friend (not Jerry, Elaine or bald guy) go to a movie, and the slimy guy does this with a camera. I thought, "who in the hell would do this?" Now, being in Asia, I know.

Try to find a regular place to buy your VCDs/DVDs. Ask the person behind the counter to play you a sample of the movie, to look for quality, especially for a VCD. Another problem that I have encountered is that the movie has been dubbed in Chinese only. Do not buy Fargo on VCD. Oddly, Clint Eastwood movies do this also >>>(If anyone could tell me "Go ahead, make my day" is in Mandarin, please do.)

If you have a private computer, use a P2P service like Kazza, Morpheus, or my favorite, Imesh. I have several movies downloaded that I cannot find in China.

SENOR

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

In line with Senor, it is definitely accepted practice to have the store play a clip from the movie, though i have never had a problem returning a movie. Usually the quality wasn't the problem, but half the time it says "english version" but ain't got it

Edward · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 46

YOu really SHOULD by a DVD player, but DON'T buy a "brand name" like Panasonic, or similar; why?

Because the cheaper Chinese brands can play just about ANYTHING you put into them, including a pieceof toast [ok, don't try that one!] Wink

I have a Panasonic, and I am sorry I spent the load I did on it; many times it won't play the DVDs, yet when I take it to the store to show them, it plays fine, and at my school, it plays fine [always on China brand DVD players]

The reason I am pushing DVD and not VCD is simple; the VCD market is dwindling, and will soon evaporate entirely; it really IS old technology, and even my poorest of students/chinese friends have DVD players.

You won't find much in selection as far as VCDs now; they just aren't being manufactured! At least not on the same scale.

I do agree with a previous post however; older VCD titles [Green Mile for instance, or Castaway] would be good bets on a good "copy".

Do NOT rush out and buy a new title [such as the latest Bond film]. Most of the time, these were copied by someone with a video camera sitting in the theater. Wait a few months, THEN purchase that title you wanted. By then someone has copied it from a "master DVD" or similar.

There have been acceptions to this, but only lately. Notice how many GREAT copies we have been able to buy? That's because they have been copied from the PROMOTIONAL DVDs sent to people with "pull" in the OSCAR awards [which will air in only a few days]. These DVDs are sent out in HUGE quantities to various people in the hopes it will help garner an award. But this is the exception, not the rule.

After the OScars are done with, you can bet that the quality of the copies on NEW RELEASES will return to the past, crappy "video camera" versions.

Hope that helps!

Michael, Director of hits such as "Killer Tomatos" and "Naked Gun 5"

gerard · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 581 Location: Internet Cafe

Thanks for this---got the VCD which I wouldnt have if I read the last 2 posts in time. Not bad though the machine and 5 films cost like what? 35 US? Since I dont have a stereo here I can listen to my music and kill 2 birds with ...Will take the advice about watching a minute of the film esp. buying them far from home. Would be nice to find some good concert flicks since the sound is sharp but maybe thats wishful thinking since I only saw Madonna videos. Oh the Seinfeld wasnt that one the guy threatened to kneecap Jerry unless he copied the movies? Jerry then started demanding artistic control and got fired?

davis · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2003 2:45 pm Post subject:

If your frustration level gets to high don't hesitate to buy a DVD. Overall quality is better. I gave our vcd away and spent 800 on a DVD. No complaints...