[Sleuth]

We bought 3 DVDs at City Records the other day and it turns out they were VCDs.
Would that explain why the quality seems to be almost but not quite like a DVD?
I am assuming that explains why every movie takes 2 discs.
Where would one buy (legal) DVDs in HK (or don't you)?

[dougp]

If you bought them as DVDs then they should be DVDs. Are you sure you picked them up from the DVD section and not the VCD section? All these stores sell both DVDs and VCDs.

DVD quality is generally lower here for some reason, but then so's the price. VCDs are lower quality still and as you say, a movie will be split over 2 discs.

[Pekkerhead]

forget what section you bought it in, the case should have a symbol on it saying VCD or DVD. If your case has the DVD symbol on it then you have been conned. But if it says VCD on the box, then I guess it is just a lesson learned for next time you go shopping.

VCDs have been popular in HK for many years (more than 10 as far as I can remember) and because they are cheap they are still relatively popular.

[kiwi_bc]

also, VCDs usually just have the main movie rather than the extras like subtitles and languages, directors comments, extra features etc

[discobay]

The quality of DVD movies should be the same whereever you buy them The 'a**lly-retentive' would have you believe that PAL is better than NTSC. Aside from that argument locally-produced DVDs do appear to look less professionally made and have little in the way of extras or even subtitle and audio options.

[esque]

You can buy cheap and legal DVDs in any of the little stores in Mongkok. Personally I prefer to buy VCDs, as I rarely rewatch my movies.

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by Pekkerhead

But if it says VCD on the box, then I guess it is just a lesson learned for next time you go shopping.

Yes, lesson learned by the clueless American. Until the other day I didn't know VCDs existed.
Everyone once in a while the movies freeze, or break-up like a satellite signal. Never lasts for long, though. Guess you get what you pay for.

[mingming]

I like VCDs for watching Japanese or Korean movies, so that both Chinese and English subtitles are on the screen. Then, my American husband and I can read the language that we familiar with.

[penguinsix]

VCD = 600 mb
DVD = 5 gb
DVD-9= 9 gb

More or less...

Needless to say, you can store a hell of a lot more on a DVD, which is why you get a better quality picture, frame rate, etc. Generally (but not always) you'll find VCDs in a CD-sized box (i.e. square), and the DVDs in a DVD sized box (i.e. slightly bigger, longer).

I mentioned DVD-9 as some DVD players (older ones) do not support it so you might want to double check before buying a DVD to see if it is a DVD-9 (more on DVD-9 http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/DVD9.html)

[Sleuth]

And I thought the hard part to moving here would be the language....