Bruce Linley wrote:
> 
> Kenji Shimizu <shimizu@telnet.or.jp> writes:
> >
> >Uhmm... No... NOT very common in Japan, for anime... for "junk" type
> >adult video, or remake version of adult video, it's becomming more
> >common (but not yet that big...) It's more common in coutries which
> >specializes in piracy and copy right violation (uhmm... not pointing out
> >any specific coutry... but most of you can take a guess, I assume).
> 
> I have no wish to start a flame war, but please do not equate VCDs and
> piracy. 

...but most admits, it's a darn good technology for pirating..... they
seem to be back to back, close to each other..... (CD pressings are
easy, cheap, and fast... that makes the pirate companies want to make
VCD... what a shame... too bad...

> This is precisely the same kind of FUD that threatens to ruin
> MP3s. 

Same as above. MP3s are fine, since they compress those 74min. audio CDs
into much smaller size for storage... but try to play it on a good loud
speaker, and you've got quality problems....

MP3s seems to be a bit less harmful (???) since they aren't sold, but
more often "reproduced" by fans (unofficially), unlike VCD, which are
produced by pirating companies....

Well, I wouldn't make a big deal out of MP3s, since MDs are just as good
(bad) for back-ups ^_^;
The easy D/L access to MP3s is a threat, though.... it should be made by
the owner of the original audio CD as a backup (in order to follow and
abide by the copyright laws...)

Then again, even if MP3 dissapeard from the face of the earth tommorow,
no big damage to this side of the earth, at least.... heck, you can find
the cheapest CD singles (anime CD singl;e) for like 100yen (less then
abuck..) in big sales.... cheap enough....

> While I agree that VCD video quality is less than VHS, as an
> optical storage medium, it eventually beats out VHS for picture
> quality because VHS will degrade while VCD will not. 

I heave yet to meet a big fan who would even consider VHS as a long term
storage media... (doesn't make sense...) Similar with VCD...

> And as a lowly individual, VCD is the only durable video format I can produce myself.

> I have used it to archive old 8mm and Super8 film home movies. And VCD
> 2.0 quality *is* much improved over its predecessor. VCDs can also be
> played on nearly any computer unlike other video mediums. I am also
> considering copying my VHS anime collection to VCD. 

good luck ^_^; It requires lots of time, effort, and HDD space... not to
mention, by making so many of them, you'll soon get a bad cluster within
your HDD ^_^;;;
But VCD does save space in your room... takes up less space then VHS
^_^;
...I think I might conside changing my collectins from LD to DVD, since
they take up even less space.... though, DVD softwares aren't doing too
well yet... (unfortunately, it's slightly lower then LD in terms of
quality, but good enough that most people won't notice....)

> I am not a pirate. I've bought over $4000.00 worth of anime over the past 
> couple of years. 

Good job ^_^
You're getting there. ^_^;
(some "devoted" (crazy?) guy on this ML uses that kind of $$$ in 4-8
months for anime, though ^_^;;;)

> And I go out out of my way to make sure it's legitimate and not
> SonMay (or similar) crap, but I know all VHS tapes will eventually
> die. 

(don't get VHS in the first palce... they're rip off price... they
usually charge as much or close to LDs... might as well buy LD.. players
are about $200 US these days....

...not to mention, it takes forever to rewind your tapes, which harms
your VCR deck, etc.... -_-;;;

> I want to protect an investment which I know will eventually go
> to magnetic heaven. Today, I buy DVD if it's available but it's
> financially difficult to justify re-buying every anime title again on
> DVD that I already own as VHS. If companies offered a VHS->DVD trade
> up program, I'd jump at it, otherwise VCD as backup for VHS is an
> acceptable solution to me for the time being (new optical recording
> tech notwithstanding).

old anime shows (used) are dirt cheap these days (on LD), UNLESS  you go
for the premium ones, or first press specials, or you love to buy it off
at eBay... -_-;;;; The LD boxes are nice looking things on your shelf
too ^_^;;;
Too bad the DVD boxes don't look as impressive as lining up LDs on the
shelf... ^_^;

Kenji Shimizu