chow yun-fat ©P¼íµo
The Secret Life of VCDs

I'm often asked what is a VCD and how it differs from a DVD and which one is better. Hopefully this file will help answer those questions. If you still have questions, please feel free to email me and I will try to answer (can't guarantee I can, but I'll try!).

The Basics

What does VCD stand for, anyway?

VCD is an acronym for Video Compact Disc. Since audio compact discs came first they got to be called CDs without the "audio" part in front of it. =)

What does a VCD look like?

It looks just like any other compact disc. The top side is usually printed with the movie information - this is the side that it's okay to get fingerprints on. The other side, which has a rainbow sheen to it, is the side which the laser in your disc player actually reads, so try not to ever get fingerprints, smudges, cat hair or maple syrup on.

Is a VCD the same thing as a DVD?

Yes and no. VCDs, DVDs, audio compact discs, CD-ROM discs you get software on ocassionally, all of those start out life as the same medium, a thin round mylar sheet, encased in plastic. The difference between a VCD, DVD, audio CD and a data disc is how they are encoded. All this means is that data is written to the discs in different ways. Just as a fried egg, a boiled egg and egg foo yung all start out as eggs, they're treated differently to achieve different results.

Will a VCD work in my DVD player? How about my PC-DVD?

More than likely, yes. If you have a very old DVD player (say, made before 1997 or so) there is a chance it might not play a VCD. If you were one of the DVD pioneers and have an old model, the best way to find out if they'll work it in is simply to try one out. Borrow a VCD from a friend or buy a cheap one and test it out. It can't hurt your player, the worst it will do is not work. VCDs should work just fine in a PC-DVD of any make or model.

Without getting technical, what are the differences between VCDs and DVDs?

The way they are encoded. A DVD uses a very sophisticated way of writing the data (like a movie) to the disc. The advantage of the method is that it is very high quality and can pack a lot of data on one disc. Only the very longest movies, such as those over four hours, have to be recorded on more than one disc. Because most movies don't need anywhere near the amount of space available, the discs can be loaded with extras, such as multiple language selections, various subtitle options, trailers, information on the movie and its stars and other features. VCDs do not use the same method of encoding. The encoding used for a VCD does not allow for the crisp quality of a DVD. It is faster and cheaper to make, but you sacrifice picture quality and this method of encoding doesn't pack as much data on a disc so you end up with only about 60 minutes of running time on one disc. This means that most movies are on two discs; it also means there is no room for extras such as trailers and so on. Another disadvantage of the VCD is how the audio is recorded on it. Most Hong Kong movies are bilingual - usually Mandarin and Cantonese. Because of the way VCDs are made, the Mandarin will be played back through one audio channel and Cantonese through the other. This means you can never have a bilingual VCD in stereo, it will always have to be mono. A VCD will either have subtitles, or it won't. Unlike a DVD, which might have up to 10 choices of languages for subtitles, on a VCD you don't have the option. The subs will be permanent (sometimes called "burned in") if there are any. Again, because of the method used to encode VCDs, there is no option of turning them on and off like on a DVD. If the manufacturer chose to put the subtitles there, you'll see them whether you want to or not. Conversely, if the manufacturer didn't include subs, they just aren't there, period.

Why on earth would I buy a VCD instead of a DVD then?

Because sometimes if you want to see a certain movie, you have no choice. Many older films are being re-released, but only on VCD. Because the market for some films is large enough to warrant producing a VCD (which is cheap to make) but not a DVD (which is more expensive to make), a film such as The Story of Woo Viet or Now You See Love... Now You Don't will be issued on VCD only. So if you want a copy of one of those films, or a number of others, but can't find an original release of the film on VHS or laserdisc then you'll have to settle for the VCD. Another reason you might choose to buy a VCD instead of a DVD is the cost. If you're not familiar with a certain film and you're not sure if it's going to be a "keeper" in your collection, it's almost always less expensive to buy a VCD than a DVD. There are exceptions to this, such as when you can find a really good sale on DVDs, but it holds true for the most part that VCDs are going to cost 50% less than a DVD.

Are these re-issued VCDs just like the original videotapes and laserdiscs?

Not necessarily. As an example, let's use Now You See Love... Now You Don't. This has been released on videotape (by TaiSeng), on laserdisc (by Golden Cinema City) and on VCD (by Mei Ah). This is one of those films which has not (yet) been released on DVD. The laserdisc and the videotape are both subtitled in English and Chinese. The VCD has no subtitles at all. The VCD is the only format currently in print, so if you want to see that film with subtitles you'll have to look for a used laserdisc or videotape somewhere. You can sometimes find them at online auctions (such as Yahoo! or eBay) or in Asian markets (explore your nearest Chinatown).

Buying VCDs

How can I tell if a VCD is subtitled?

Usually - but not always! - there will be a note on the back of the VCD jewelcase that will look like this one, taken from the VCD of Joy To The World: Obviously those are the easy ones. You may encounter one with a little note, either on the front or the back, which looks like this one taken from the VCD of The Lunatics: Along with some other information, this tells you that the movie is subtitled in English. Of course that information is in Chinese characters, but since it's only two of them they're easy to learn to spot. Here's the two which you should look for: That's because , or ying wen, means "English language" in Chinese characters. Here it is again nice and big: If you can't find a notation that it is subtitled in English, assume that it isn't. When buying VCDs online the vendor will usually note which language(s) the dialogue is in, and which languages, if any, are featured in the subtitles. Most English-language sites on the Web which sell VCDs are catering to people who want English subs, but if you're not certain if a disc is subtitled or not, ask. If you don't get a reply, then go elsewhere to buy your discs. If they can't be bothered with you before the sale, you know they sure won't be there for you if anything goes wrong afterward.

What's a good price for a VCD?

As with most things, that depends on a number of factors, but most VCDs are priced between US$4.00 and US$12.00. If the VCD is of a recent, popular title you'll pay the higher end of the scale. Keep in mind that you will probably have to pay shipping on your discs, so factor that in your buying decision. Comparison shop for not only prices but shipping charges as well. A $3 disc is no bargain if you have to pay $11 shipping from one retailer, when you could buy the same item for $8 from another retailer who only charges $3 shipping.

Where can I begin to comparison shop on the Web?

If you read Chinese, I recommend Chinesebooks.net at http://www.chinesebooks.net, they have a good selection, low prices and shipping charges (usually free). For English sites, Itchee at http://www.itchee.com, CoolVCD at http://www.coolvcd.com and YesAsia (formerly AsiaCD) at http://www.yesasia.com are all good choices. I'm sure there are others, so be sure and check prices for the titles that you want. It's definitely worth spending the extra few minutes.

Playing VCDs

Why does my VCD sound like it's playing two soundtracks at once?

Because it probably is! =) If you'll remember, many Hong Kong VCDs are bilingual, with Mandarin and Cantonese both available on the disc. Since your DVD player is probably set to play in stereo, you're getting both channels (with one language each) at the same time and it sounds like a complete mess. You will have to find your audio selection button (or menu option on a PC-DVD) and select either the left or right channel, depending on which language you want. On most DVD players there is a button the remote which is marked "audio", give this a try. On PC-DVD players there is a menu option for the same thing. If you don't see it right away, crack open the manual (or take a look at the online help). You know the routine: RTFM! =)

I can't find the option to turn the subtitles on. Where is it?

If you play the VCD and don't see any subtitles at the bottom of the screen, you're just out of luck. As mentioned above, a VCD is either subtitled or it isn't. Unlike a DVD, there is no option to turn them off or on.

I put the VCD in the player and nothing happens when I hit PLAY. Why?

There are a lot of answers to this of course, but the most common ones are: 1. Your DVD player doesn't play VCDs. 2. Your DVD player doesn't play this particular VCD for some reason (more on that below). 3. It's a bootleg VCD made in somebody's basement on a CD-RW.

My DVD has never had a problem with VCDs before, so...?

Chances are there's something wrong with this particular disc. Look at the reverse side of the disc (not the printed side). Are there scratches, big smudges, fingerprints, dust, dirt or other stuff? If so, clean it off (and, just like an audio CD, to clean a VCD you should use a clean, lint-free cloth, stroking outward from the hole in the middle - NOT in circles around the disc. That just grinds the dirt further into the disc.). If it's dirty, you try cleaning it and it still won't work, it may be a defective disc. If this is what you suspect, you have two options: return it to the place you got it, or toss it and forget it. It all depends on how much you paid for it and how much time you want to spend on messing with it. If you only paid $3 for it, chances are it's not worth your time to return it to the retailer. Oh... you did buy it from a legitimate retailer, so you're certain it's not a bootleg, right?

Uh oh. "Bootleg"?

Yep, "bootleg". Remember the remark up at the top about how VCDs are cheap and easy to make? That goes for not only legitimate copyright holders but greasy-faced bootleggers munching on eggsalad sandwichs as they crank out crummy copies of popular movies on inferior discs and equipment. They do this for one reason: to part you, the unsuspecting consumer, from your hard-earned cash.

How can I tell if a VCD is a bootleg?

The first indication is the jewelcase. To combat bootlegging, which is rampant in Hong Kong right now, legitimate companies such as Mei Ah, Universe and others are placing small silver stickers under the shrinkwrap along the opening of the VCD jewelcase. These usually have their company logo and some sort of hologram design. Look for that sticker - it's your best indication that a VCD is legit. Here's what the Mei Ah sticker looks like from the front of the jewelcase to God of Gamblers: In the scan it looks blue due to the light from the scanner lamp, but to the naked eye it will appear silver with a rainbow sheen to it. The second indication is the disc itself. Look at the reverse side (not the printed side). Is it a silvery color with its own rainbow sheen? Does it look just like an audio CD? If so, chances are it's a legitimate disc (especially if it had the hologram sticker on the jewelcase). If your disc has a blue or a gold color to it, then most likely it is a homemade disc from a bootlegger with cheap equipment. This is just a disc made on a CD-ROM writer. The best thing to do with this kind of disc is throw it away and chalk one up to experience in the wicked world. You can ask for your money back, but sarcastic laughter is a terrible thing to endure. Of course there are bootleg discs which look just like legit ones - right down to the proper color of disc and the silver sticker bootlegged too, right there on the jewelcase. These are usually the work of professional bootleggers and, while I probably shouldn't say this, in terms of quality it's probably going to be just as good as a legitimate one. In terms of karma it's not, so take that into consideration before you knowingly go out looking for cheap-o discs.

How can I avoid bootlegged discs?

Deal only with legitimate retailers. Ask around for references and recommendations on where to buy discs. A post in alt.asian.movies or alt.fan.chow-yun-fat is perfectly acceptable and will probably garner a few responses. If you are looking for discs at an online auction, check the feedback of the seller and see if there have been any complaints about bootlegged discs. As a side-note, most bootlegged CYF discs seem to originate in Malaysia. Of course not all Malaysian discs are bootlegs and not all bootlegs are Malaysian, but it happens often enough to double-check if your seller originates from there, ships from there or has an email address which ends in .my Double-checking references won't hurt a legitimate seller. If they squawk when asked to provide references, it doesn't matter if they are legit or not, it's probably not someone with whom you want to do business anyway. When you're shopping in an Asian market, look for the hologram sticker on the jewelcase. Don't be shy about asking if it's bootleg material or not. If you're not sure, it's probably best to move on.

Why do you spend so much time harping about bootlegs?

Because when you buy a bootleg disc, you are not supporting the people who made the whole thing possible - people like Chow Yun-Fat. A bootleg disc doesn't put a checkmark in the "win" column for an artist, either. The more legitimate discs sold, the more which will be made. The more bootleg discs sold, the fewer legit discs made. Simple enough.

More Info

Where can I learn more technical stuff about VCDs and DVDs?

Try these two excellent links: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2496/vcdfaq.html - The VideoCD FAQ http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html - DVD Demystified

I'm still confused.

Email me and I'll answer your question if I can or try to refer you to someone else who can help. Good luck, and happy viewing! - Leigh

email the page maintainer