Video Compact Discs (VCD) offer a great alternative to the filmbuff like me who wants to view, study or collect Hong Kong films.

DESCRIPTION, EVALUATION AND COMPARISON:

VCD contain one hour of film per disc, therefore the average film generally come in two discs. They can be viewed using a computer (although it is also possible to have a dedicated VCD player connected to a television). The quality of the picture is in general equivalent to that of videotape. The discs are marginally cheaper than videocassettes and they have the advantage of not wearing out. It is possible when using a computer to save any image from the film being watched on its hard disk therefore allowing for printing or any other use (the internet for instance) later.

Admittedly, the quality of VCD does not compare to that of Laser Discs, but their much cheaper cost makes them a better proposition to the average viewer. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford Laser Discs, then go for it.

VCD are not to be confounded with DVD (Digital Video Discs), a new format that will eventually supplant them. DVD can also be played on a computer although a DVD-compatible CD-ROM is required. They can contain many hours of film on one disc and their quality, it is said (I have not yet viewed a film in this format) is as good as Laser Discs, and in many cases better. DVD are certainly the best medium for viewing films but at this point in time, they are not widely available and their cost is still high. The good news is that DVD players are backward compatible. This means it is possible to view VCD on them, therefore making it possible to acquire VCD now without the fear of them becoming obsolete.

All things considered, VCD remains at the moment a very good proposition for anyone wanting to start a Hong Kong films collection. For me, they have proved to be the best one.

AVAILABILITY:

The great majority of recent Hong Kong releases plus a great number of older films have been released on VCD by a variety of companies. The Mei Ah label seems to release the largest number of films, and the quality of its transfers from film to VCD is always excellent.

Hong Kong films on VCD are relatively easy to find, that is if you live in a city that incorporates a Chinatown, or with a sizeable Chinese population.

In general, any Laser Discs store will carry a range of VCD titles. From my own experience in Melbourne, you might find the choice available somewhat limited. However, I have found the staff in all the stores I have visited more than helpful and I have always been able to order whatever film I wanted, as long as it has been released on VCD.

The best site on the World Wide Web to buy Honk Kong VCD (and Hong Kong Music CD too) is without a doubt Hong Kong Pop. I have used their services and I found them very reliable. They are based in Toronto, Canada. It is possible to finalize your purchase over the Internet using a credit card (you are billed only when your order has been shipped; if a title is not available, you are not charged). Their range of VCD is still limited at the moment, but they are adding new titles regularly, and will try to order specific titles if asked. Their prices are very affordable, from US$12 to US$18. The shipping cost for all overseas destinations is US$3 per title (not per discs, which is good considering that all films comprise two discs). If you are living in North America, I believe the costs to be US$3 per order regardless of the quantity.

I believe there are a few other mail order companies selling VCD but I could not vouch for any of them, as I did not use their services.

REQUIREMENTS:

To view VCD on a computer, you need at least a Pentium 133 (or equivalent) with CD-ROM. And a monitor of course!

You also need software to view the films. I recommend the XingMPEG™ Player. It is an excellent program. Simply download it from the Internet. As it is a shareware program, it is possible to try it before having to purchase it. Moreover, its price is very affordable ($29US).

Hong Kong movies on VCD always come with both the Cantonese and Mandarin version, each one on a separate channel (usually Cantonese on the left and Mandarin on the right). To select the version you wish to listen to using the Xing player, click on the Xing logo on the toolbar. From the menu now visible, go to the 'Settings' option. From the 'Karaoke' menu, chose 'Music Only' to hear the left channel, or 'Music And Voice' for the right one.

Note: All the films featured on Honk Kong Eclectic have been released on VCD. All the illustrations on this site are in fact images extracted directly from the VCD version of the films themselves.