And I bet you thought it couldn’t be done! Two columns within a few days! I
guess I just felt the need to get out that last column before I turn 25 next
week. Hopefully my dentures won’t fall out while I’m writing the next column.
;-) On with the show!
From Abood Rabbat:
Hi Ladycat,
Thanks for the research you did on where to purchase Hong Kong DVD's. That
was very helpful. But it has brought up another question: I keep seeing anime
VCD's subbed in English at auction sites. They seem to come mainly from
Singapore. Do you know anything about these? Where can we get them ourselves?
Are they any good? I ask, because they are separate and distinct from all of
your "Hong Kong" merchant's.
We appreciate your help.
Well, I’m glad I could help the first time ‘round. Let’s see what I can do
for you this time.
The main difference between DVD and VCD is quality. VCD's are notoriously
iffy on quality. They can range anywhere from decent (equal quality to the
tape) to totally unwatchable.
They do have some VCD's at fivestarlaser.com. They are in a separate
section from the other HK movies, but they are there. Now the thing that I
noticed was that the prices are generally significantly lower than a
DVD of the same title. Somewhere around 50-75% of the DVD price. That and the
fact that these VCD's are coming through Singapore leads me to think one of
two things: these discs are not entirely legitimate, or the quality on them is
pretty bad. Or possibly both. VCD’s caught on a lot quicker in Asia than they
did in the States, and so did VCD piracy. Just ask all those people who saw a
really bad copy of Episode 1 way before it was officially released in Asia.
So, going from that info, I’d say if you have the chance to buy the DVD
rather than the VCD, go for it. Yes, they are more expensive, but you’re
getting better quality stuff.
Now, seeing as I’ve never actually bought a VCD, I’d like to hear stories
from people who have. Let me know what kind of quality we’re actually talking
about here. Are the subtitles readable? From what you send me, I’ll put
together a little FAQ on VCD's so we can all share the knowledge.
From Nick:
Sorry if I overlooked something saying you didn't want these types of
questions, but I cant help but wonder...Is Escaflowne ever going to be
released commercially in the US/Canada area on DVD? I can't find an email or
feedback address at the commercial subtitlers,
AnimeVillage.Com... might you know?
In what is either a totally brilliant or really stupid (I’m not sure which
yet) move, Anime Village (like a few other companies) has announced that they
will be releasing catalog titles on DVD. They have not, however, given any
specifics whatsoever about the releases. I think, if I’m remembering
correctly, that they said they wanted to wait until they had a dub before they
released it on DVD.
There is, of course, nothing flagrantly posted on Anime Village that I can
see about a release, unless I’m totally blind. So I guess the answer is,
eventually.
Oh, by the way, you all can ask me anything. J
Well, within reason. Nothing totally perverse or too unrelated anime, please.
J
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