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What is a vcd?
It
is simply a video compact disc (CD) that contains video
and audio - moving pictures and sound. It is capable
of holding up to 74 minutes of full-motion video with quality
stereo sound. VCD uses the MPEG-1 standard to store
video and audio in a high density form. As opposed
to DVD that utilizes the MPEG-2. This ensures full compatibility
with a wide range of devices. It is a worldwide,
standards independent format endorsed by Sony, Philips,
Matsushita and JVC. To
learn more, click here.
The really cool
thing about a VCD is that you can run it on a variety of
different platforms including personal computers and laptops/notebooks
(both PC & Mac), DVD players, stand-alone VCD players,
televisions, and game boxes (e.g. Playstations) and multimedia
boxes.
What is a video cd used for?
 The
most common application of VideoCD has been for playing movies and music videos.
With the release of VideoCD 2.0 specification, the format is enjoying greatly
expanded popularity. VideoCD 2.0 provides full interactivity via remote control,
making the format appealing for a wide range of multimedia applications.
It has gained rapid acceptance for its ability to deliver high quality, full-motion
digital video cheaply. However, be aware of the existence of bootlegged / pirated
VCDs. You can shop comfortably at VCD Gallery and rest
assured that all our VCDs are original and legal
merchandise.
Are
vcds any good?
-
VideoCD
provides random access search. This means that,
you can quickly find that scene where Keanu Reeves dodges those bullets in The
Matrix. -
There
is no deterioration or
degradation of picture quality over time, even when
you watch Jennifer Lopez over & over again.
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The discs
are not bulky making them easy to store anywhere,
even under your pillow. -
They
do not have regional lock codes like the DVD, so you
can buy VCDs from us and play them anywhere whether
you live in Alaska or Zimbabwe. -
They're also
much cheaper when compared to a DVD or even a VHS.
-
The video quality
that you can expect from a VCD is comparable or better than VHS. Audio is usually
Dolby Digital Surround. -
You
also get some rare releases on VCDs that has not
been released on DVDs like Star Wars
thanks to George Lucas.
How
do I play a vcd? -
All
Personal Computers
- both PC & Mac
with CD-ROMs/DVD-ROMs, a sound card and a good graphics
card.
PC requires MPEG
capable software. We recommend
Video
Player or Windows
Media Player
which you can download for free from Microsoft's site.
More software players here.
Mac requires
Quicktime and/or
SpeedTools
Another downloadable player for the Mac is MacVCD.
(Now available Mac 2.0)
-
VCD players;
i.e. stand-alone vcd players.
-
DVD
players;
most DVD players are Video CD compatible
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Game
Consoles (e.g.
Playstation
requires
an inexpensive add-on
Redant Movie Card 
.
For Dreamcast get the
Dream VCD Player & Remote control set 
For
Nintendo 64 get the
Doctor V64 (256M version) 
These
are inexpensive add-ons that will enable you to watch VCD movies throurgh your
machines
Also some Saturn Consoles & 3DO Game Consoles are compatible
provided you get an add-on movie card. Contact your favorite game console dealer.
(There are currently no add-on movie cards available for the Playstation 2.)
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Some
Philips CD-I Players (all the information
you need can be found here.)
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Some
Laser Disc Players |
About NTSC & PAL...
This is not as confusing as you may think.
Basically, there are two TV video standards, NTSC and PAL.
NTSC is used in North America & Japan. PAL is common in
Europe, Asia & almost everywhere else in the world. (France
& former communist-bloc countries use SECAM; Brazil utilizes
PALM).
Most hardware
devices (DVD or VCD players) that play PAL video resolution
on a NTSC monitor correctly will cut 24 lines of resolution
from the top and bottom of a PAL image. Almost all our VCDs
are in PAL resolution. This is usually not an issue, because
not much details are lost by such truncation.
Note : NTSC has 352 x 240 video resolution and PAL's video
resolution is 352 x 288. However, the PAL to NTSC video conversion
/ truncation problem does not exist when viewed on a PC monitor
as the PC is able to display the whole image. Most TVs and
DVD players are multisync now. Therefore,they can play both
NTSC & PAL format. Thus you should not have any problems
playing PAL VCDs on these players.
Optional Accessory for NTSC-only systems:
TV Video System Converter (NTSC -->
PAL);
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| Software
VCD/MPG/DAT Players For Download click |
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| I
need more help ... | - see
our Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
- see
Services section (on the left menu bar)
- send
mail to our customer service
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