Commercial VCDs POLL (Eurekamovies.com)

[klay51]

I know this is a really old topic but ill respond- well from what i under stand the quality depends on the source. Te source could be dvd,8mm film,LD(best) or even vhs(BAD!!!). I personally like the vcd format becasue there is no region coding or macrvison. You can also play them on a regular laptop with no dvd drive! I think eureka movies should post the source. I dont know if this is possible though.

[JGDragov]

Yes, I am another person who would like to weigh in on the original vcd quality issue.
I have about 12 movies on vcd (all original) and have yet to see one that matches the quality of a dvd. Having said that none of these movies are unwatchable, or a waste of money. If I had to rate the quality of an original vcd with a vhs or dvd original my comparison would be this.
On a scale of 1 to 10, with a dvd being 10, I would rate a vcd a 7(I would rate a vhs an 8 assuming it hasn't been overplayed). I have noticed that some vcds are better than others but never to the point where I would say one is like a dvd.
Original vcds are definitely worth the pick up when you want a movie that you don't have on dvd because, it hasn't been released, you're waiting for the S.E. dvd(that is why I bought Dune), or you'd rather pay $7.00(average) for a movie as opposed to $20 on dvd.
Finally, I would just like to say that of the vcd sites I've dealt with(only 3 so you don't think I'm an expert) Eureka has been the best. If you are considering buying original vcds Eureka is definitely the site you want(customer service, prices, quality etc.).
To Vandaahl, I just wanted to respond to the part of your posting. If I understood you correctly on Eureka's price match, you don't have to give any personal info via email. When you go to Eureka's home page click on low price guarentee in the top left corner. Then you can email the price and movie from the other site and eureka will send you an email telling you if they are going to match the price. This way you haven't commited to a purchase or have sent any credit card info. If I misundertood your email and you already know this I apologize.

[pacmania_2001]

I'll just put my two cents in
I own 4 original VCDS none of which i have paid for but got given by a friend. They are
The Thomas Crown Affair
Something about Mary
Event Horizon and
Liar Liar
The quality of the first two are on par with VHS but have way better sound that sounds like Dolby Pro Logic.
The third, Event Horizon is the worst quality i have ever seen. It looks worse than a real media file on full screen. It looks like it was taped of a work print as there are numbers in the corner indicating the time and shit.
The last, Liar Liar would be of near DVD quality. The only problem is the piracy warning but that is no problem. THe sound is great and the cuts are made in OK places not during action

[Stansell]

I bought a couple of music video VCD's that are not available (yet) on DVD. One was The Cure - Galore and the other was Pink Floyd - Pulse.

The Cure video had pretty good quality - about like VHS. Not blocky, but they could have done a bit more in the de-interlace process. Some of the motion looks a bit odd because it was converted from a film source.

The Pink Floyd CD was even better and had a more professional looking package.

Both VCD's had very good quality sound.