What's a VCD and where can I get one?
Video Compact Discs (VCDs) are the most popular home movie format in Hong Kong. They
were tried in the west in the mid-90s, but didn't catch on. (Does anyone here remember the
Phillips CDi player? I didn't think so.) Each disc holds about an hour of footage, so most
films come on two discs. The quality is not as good as Laser Disc (LD), but they are
cheaper and smaller. In fact, the quality is not as good as VHS either - the image tends
to pixelate, particularly during rapid movement.
However, for the hardcore non-Chinese speaking Hong Kong movie fan, VCDs are a godsend,
as there are thousands of titles available that may never be released on local video. You can
get these films on tape from Chinese video stores, but sometimes you discover that you've
hired a bootleg fourth or twentieth generation tapes with subtitles that range from blurry
to illegible. VCDs are definitely the way to go, at least until you can afford DVD. (Mind
you, nothing beats checking out the film big screen style at the Chinatown
Cinema.)
How to watch VCDs
There are four easy ways to view VCDs:
- On a VCD player. These are available in Asian electronics stores. A
bottom of the line player costs about Australian $350, something fancier costs around
Aust. $500.
- On a DVD player. Most DVD players are compatible with both VCD and
audio CD. However, some manufacturers have not imported models which are VCD-compatible
(as they're mostly perceived to be for the Asian market); to be on the safe side, I
recommend yiou test the unit with a VCD before you buy. Of course, DVDs are such greater
quality you may not need VCDs; apparently most HK DVDs are not region coded, which means
you should be able to check them out on an Australian DVD player - however, to be on the
safe side, go for a multi-zone DVD player, so that you'll be also able to watch DVDs from
the US and Europe.
- On your Sega Saturn or PlayStation. With a piece of extra hardware, you
can watch VCDs on your games console. The Saturn adaptor costs Aust. $299, the PlayStation
equivalent costs Aust. $150. You should be able to order them via your favourite games
store; if that fails, you can get them via mail order from IVG in Brisbane (check their web site for contact details). The playback is not as
good as a dedicated VCD player, but it's a handy and cheap alternative.
- On your PC. VCDs use the MPEG compression standard. If your PC is
kitted out for multimedia, then download a VCD player from the web, and you're away. See
the Links section below for where to get a trial player. I can't say that I recommend
watching movies on the PC, though; it just doesn't have that lounge room ambiance.
Where to get VCDs
VCDs are widely available for rental and sale. My article on shopping
for HK in Melbourne has a list of places (I use and recommend InstantLink VCD in Box
Hill), and other Australian cities are covered in the Shopping
section. If you're elsewhere, try your local Chinatown, or go for mail order via the
Internet. Ryan Law lists the the latest VCD releases in Hong Kong on the front page of his
Hong Kong Movie DataBase.
Almost all VCDs are subtitled in English, but some are not. Check that the VCD cover
says "English Subtitles". If it doesn't, ask the store owner to put it on for
you as a double check. Often the films are subbed anyway, even if they don't say so on the
cover.
VCDs have both Cantonese and Mandarin soundtracks; choose the one you want by using the
switch on the remote control (VCD player) or by manually switching the stereo plugs (Sega
Saturn). Most movies are shot in Cantonese, so choose that language to get the best sync
and the actors' full performance. Maddeningly, there is no set L or R channel for each
language, and it can vary from movie to movie, so always check before you settle in.
It takes a little bit of dedication to get VCDs happening in your household, but you'll
be glad you did, as many fine Hong Kong movies that you may not see otherwise are waiting
for you.
VCD Links
H E R O I C * C I N E M A
http://www.heroic-cinema.com
