Re: DVD Special Features Poll?

I'm like some of the other folks on the list - I don't have a DVD player and
the 34 UFO tapes I have - I got 3 of them from amazon.com and one in a trade
with Teresa here on the list. Pam

Pam McCaughey wrote:
>
> I'm like some of the other folks on the list - I don't have a DVD player and
> the 34 UFO tapes I have - I got 3 of them from amazon.com and one in a trade
> with Teresa here on the list. Pam

That's all fine and dandy, but the DVDs will be released this year, not
when you and the others who still depend on VHS are ready to switch. I
would bet money that they will come out once, go out of print at some
point and then not be released again for quite a while. So when you get
a DVD player for Christmas next year and start hunting for the UFO DVDs
you will be mighty disappointed if all they got were a few behind the
scenes stills. C'mon people, think ahead. If Marc is unable to get
support for the poll, A&E will think no one gives a damn what is on the DVDs.
AT

I made a typo on that last e-mail - I have 4 UFO videotapes - NOT 34 as I
erroneously typed! Pam

>That's all fine and dandy, but the DVDs will be released this year, not
>when you and the others who still depend on VHS are ready to switch. I
>would bet money that they will come out once, go out of print at some
>point and then not be released again for quite a while

Another concern is that if not enough people purchase UFO Box 1,
A&E may decided not to even release UFO Box 2. So it's really
a good idea to buy these DVDs when they come out. Not only
to ensure that you have them whenever you end up getting a
DVD player, but also to ensure that all 26 episodes are actually
released!

Marc

<<C'mon people, think ahead. If Marc is unable to get
support for the poll, A&E will think no one gives a
damn what is on the DVDs. AT>>

So not everyone is as able to afford 'boys toys' like
DVD players as you (or me) - so what ? People make the
point, and get criticised for it - why ? What is DVD
except a way of increasing media and tech bosses
profits ? What do you _really_ get from DVD that you
can't get from TV or video (apart from the opportunity
to pay much more from the same product ?). (And the
necessity to 'upgrade' from video to DVD or have your
pre-recorded entertainment opportunities massively and
increasingly reduced ?). What DVD 'extras' (eg cast
commentaries, the main or even only benefit of it, to
my mind) couldn't have been/still be produced for
video ?

Rant mode off - sorry if gone Over the Top as well as
Off Topic.. deep breaths and count to ten...

P.S. FWIW, I voted in the poll, despite not being an
'Americano'... 'vote early, vote often' !

Regards,

Andy




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Andy Lovie wrote:
Well I have no plans to get into a shouting match, Andy. I was not
criticising, you just felt criticised. That is hardly my fault.


>What do you _really_ get from DVD that you
> can't get from TV or video (apart from the opportunity
> to pay much more from the same product ?). (And the
> necessity to 'upgrade' from video to DVD or have your
> pre-recorded entertainment opportunities massively and
> increasingly reduced ?). What DVD 'extras' (eg cast
> commentaries, the main or even only benefit of it, to
> my mind) couldn't have been/still be produced for
> video ?

Aside from picture and sound quality roughly 3 times better than that of
VHS? Aside from Chapter Stops so that rewinding and fast forwarding
incessantly is unnecessary? Aside from crystal clear pause mode that
doesn't harm the video heads (of which there are none on DVD players) so
that you can gaze lovingly at Straker/Foster/Ellis for hours on end if
you like? Aside from DVD Rom extras such as oh say, a Sky 1 Flight
simulator that could be played on your computer? Aside from a product
that will never accidentally degauss or degrade with age? Aside from
being able to cram about 6 VHS tapes worth of program on one DVD?
Those are the ones that spring immediately to mind. I could sit and
think for a while and come up with more, if you like.
Out of curiousity, do you still listen to 8 track tapes?
AT

> So not everyone is as able to afford 'boys toys' like DVD
> players as you (or me) - so what ? People make the point,
> and get criticised for it - why ? What is DVD except a way of
> increasing media and tech bosses profits ? What do you _really_
> get from DVD that you can't get from TV or video (apart from
> the opportunity to pay much more from the same product ?).

It's not really that much more - DVDs in the UK cost about the
same or a *little* more, in real terms as prerecorded VHS videos
did a few years ago.

The picture, and the audio soundtrack are of considerably higher
quality (the latter may not apply so much to old recordings I
admit). They are much more portable and storable (especially if
you discard the stupidly enormous cases they come in) - I have
about 200 and keep them in zip cases. They take up a LOT less
room than 200 VHS videos would. I know, because I have more than
200 VHS videos unfortunately .. :)

You can jump directly to a chapter insteading of fast-forwarding.
It will be a loooooong time before a DVD wears out, and there's
no tape to snap or get chewed by your VCR.

Some of the special features could be provided on a videotape -
but a commentary would be hard to provide without using up either
the left or right channel, leaving only a mono recording of the
original soundtrack on the other - and that would only work on
stereo VCRs. Unless the entire video was repeated on the same
tape of course, which few manufacturers would be willing to do.
Same for subtitles (some DVDs provide subtitles in three or four
languages)

>So not everyone is as able to afford 'boys toys' like
>DVD players as you (or me) - so what ? What is DVD
>except a way of increasing media and tech bosses
>profits ? What do you _really_ get from DVD that you
>can't get from TV or video

Well, let's not get too far off-topic here... the
issue of DVD vs. VHS is probably best discussed
on some video forum... :-)

Also, your comment about continual, unneccessary
upgrades doesn't really apply to the US versions --
all 26 episodes of UFO have *never* been released
in the US, and there's no reason to believe that
it will ever be released or broadcast on US TV
again! :-(

UFO has been released several times in the UK,
but so far the releases have used inferior
quality prints, and they always go out print
rather quickly! (and if you don't want to
buy the UK DVDs either, there is a rumor that
the BBC is planning on broadcasting it again
starting in the fall)

But yes, if someone is not planning on buying the
DVDs, then that's good information to have. I should
have included that option on my poll!

Marc

Marc wrote:

<<if not enough people purchase UFO Box 1, A&E may
decided not to even release UFO Box 2. So it's really
a good idea to buy these DVDs when they come out. Not
only to ensure that you have them whenever you end up
getting a DVD player, but also to ensure that all 26
episodes are actually released!>>

So you should buy this box of DVDs, even if you don't
have a way of viewing them ? And can't afford them,
let alone a player for them ?

When you have a family to feed and a limited income,
spending money you don't have not only on DVD versions
of video tapes you already own, but the DVD player for
these discs - and seeing your nearest and dearest
going without as a result - might seem like a waste of
money.

Call me old-fashioned, but not everyone has money to
burn. And some personal priorities come before all
else, even 'U.F.O.' - a wonderful series, but no child
should go hungry because of it.

A question of priorities ?

(Knowing I'll hate mysef in the morning for sending
this :^ ),

Regards and apologies for the ranting,

Andy








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>When you have a family to feed and a limited income,
>spending money you don't have not only on DVD versions
>of video tapes you already own, but the DVD player for
>these discs - and seeing your nearest and dearest
>going without as a result - might seem like a waste of
>money.

Andy, I think you're making more out of this issue
than what was intended! It's just a poll for those
people are planning on buying the DVDs and are
interested in special features. I can see now based
on your & Lisa's input, that I should have added
two more options:

* I don't plan on buying the UFO DVDs

* I don't care about extra features

Given the importance of the 2 above options, perhaps
I should start the poll all over?! And perhaps open
it up to all readers of my "UFO Series Home Page"...
can anyone recommend a good polling service that doesn't
depend on Yahoo Groups?

Marc

Marc,

<<your comment about continual, unneccessary
upgrades doesn't really apply to the US versions --
all 26 episodes of UFO have *never* been released
in the US, and there's no reason to believe that
it will ever be released or broadcast on US TV
again! :-( >>

Interesting. VCRs that play both PAL and NTSC videos
have been available in the UK for several years, at
the lower end of the price scale (even the lowest
priced I've seen recently, at £75.00 - about $100 -
would play both PAL and NTSC videos. So anyone in
north America who could get hold of PAL videos - on
eBay for example - really shouldn't have a problem
playing them. Unless of course, north American
consumers are being happily led down the garden
path... but surely not...)

But at the risk of repeating myself - people who dont
have, and can't afford, DVD players, can't buy DVDs.
End of story, enuff said. Retreat to lurking.

Regards,

Andy


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Andy Lovie <andy_lovie@y...> wrote:

> So anyone in north America who could get hold of PAL videos - on
> eBay for example - really shouldn't have a problem
> playing them.

Um, Andy, the happy state of affairs in the UK reference low-priced
multi-format VCRs most emphatically does *not* apply in the US. I
know; I have one, and tracking it down and getting hold of it was
quite an adventure in itself. The usual response at any US retailer
when I asked about VCRs capable of playing PAL tapes was "Huh?" (Most
people in the US aren't even aware there *are* different formats.) I
eventually found information on the two (2) models available at the
time; one was intended for professional use and had a four-figure
price tag; the other -- which I bought -- was about $500. Last I
looked, its successor was still the only model readily available
here, was still around $500, and was still not all that easy to find.
I have a bunch of PAL tapes and the VCR I bought has been well worth
it for my frame-capture work, but a multi-format VCR really isn't a
viable option for most people in the US.

- Lisa

Marc,

<<perhaps I should start the poll all over?!>>

No, apologies for intervening as a non-North American,
maybe best if I just stay out of the debate for a
while...

Andy

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>Unless of course, north American
>consumers are being happily led down the garden
>path... but surely not...

Well, you might be surprised about this one
Andy... multi-standard VCRs and TVs are practially
non-existant in the US -- I live in a major city
(Seattle) and consider myself knowledgeable about
video equipment, yet I don't have a clue as to
where I could purchase a single multi-standard
TV or VCR in my local area.

(of course, these days I could find them on
the Internet, but I have no plans to buy
a new TV set or VCR -- like you say Andy,
one has to have some sort of spending
priorities)

Marc

Hi Lisa,

Right, my last and final post on this issue ! (promise
!)

<<Andy Lovie <andy_lovie@y...> wrote:

> So anyone in north America who could get hold of PAL
videos - on
> eBay for example - really shouldn't have a problem
> playing them.

<<Um, Andy, the happy state of affairs in the UK
reference low-priced
multi-format VCRs most emphatically does *not* apply
in the US. I
know; I have one, and tracking it down and getting
hold of it was
quite an adventure in itself. The usual response at
any US retailer
when I asked about VCRs capable of playing PAL tapes
was "Huh?" (Most
people in the US aren't even aware there *are*
different formats.) I
eventually found information on the two (2) models
available at the
time; one was intended for professional use and had a
four-figure
price tag; the other -- which I bought -- was about
$500. Last I
looked, its successor was still the only model readily
available
here, was still around $500, and was still not all
that easy to find.
I have a bunch of PAL tapes and the VCR I bought has
been well worth
it for my frame-capture work, but a multi-format VCR
really isn't a
viable option for most people in the US.>>

This may be considered off-subject, but as I say, the
cheapest VCR I see on sale in a nearby retail outlet
for £75/$100 plays both PAL and NTSC tapes. My own
preferred player for DVDs is a Play Station 2 - which,
with a CD-ROM called 'Datel DVD RegionX'
(£20.00/$30.00), will play DVDs of any region. Are
U.S. consumers really being ripped off so badly ?
Sorry for letting you know :^

But in any case, posted about 6 months' worth of posts
in one day, so will retreat into obscurity at least
until the 'Fanderson' convention,

Regards and best wishes,

Andy




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Hi!
Marc , let's call it a test ! ( little off -topic )  
 
> Andy Lovie <andy_lovie@y...> wrote:
>> > So anyone in north America who could get hold of PAL videos - on
> > eBay for example - really shouldn't have a problem
> > playing them.
I think it depends !
I can play american NTSC format in my normal 60Hzs TV, using a
regular VCR , but I can't play PAL videos in a PAL/NTSC VCR - need a
50Hzs TV to do it.  
 
> Um, Andy, the happy state of affairs in the UK reference low-priced
> multi-format VCRs most emphatically does *not* apply in the US.
They are not so expensive in Brasil ... But few people buy it ,
as one have to buy a new 60/50Hzs TV too !

(Most
> people in the US aren't even aware there *are* different formats.)
There are ! British PAL doesn't work in PAL-M VCR or TVs around
here , but no problems with NTSC ( nobody will buy a VRC without PAL-
M/NTSC format !) And I can't guess about what happens with PAL-N ,
PAL-G ...

In SHADO list I learned a lot about VCRs and formats , DVD and
regions !
Thank you all!
Sandra

Andy Lovie wrote:
> What do you _really_ get from DVD that you
> can't get from TV or video (apart from the opportunity
> to pay much more from the same product ...

And, how tough are DVD's compared to videotapes against the hazards
of life such as being dropped and bumped, or magnetic fields getting
near them, or security scanners that make X-rays or similar, or grit
or similar foreign objects getting inside the casing? If a videotape
gets scratched, that only causes a few flickers on the screen and the
ret can be watched as before.

I managed to pick up all 26 episodes when they came out on video, and
that is enough for me, since one viewing of each per few months is
enough for me without having to wear the tapes out.

"anthonyappleyard" wrote:

>
> And, how tough are DVD's compared to videotapes against the hazards
> of life such as being dropped and bumped, or magnetic fields getting
> near them, or security scanners that make X-rays or similar, or grit
> or similar foreign objects getting inside the casing? If a videotape
> gets scratched, that only causes a few flickers on the screen and the
> ret can be watched as before.
>

Being dropped or bumped won't cause a problem. Neither will
x-rays or magnetic fields. I'm not sure what a deep scratch
would do - but it's never happened to me (yet). It's possible
that a serious scratch would render the entire disc unplayable
but given reasonable care that shouldn't happen. Never happened
to any of my CDs for example.

I deliberately held off buying the VHS a couple of years back firstly
because I knew they would come out on DVD eventually (I was surprised it was
so quick) and secondly because the VHS releases weren't exactly falling off
the shelves at my local HMV! I didn't know they'd started coming out until
about half way through



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"What is DVD except a way of increasing media and tech bosses profits ? What
do you _really_ get from DVD that you can't get from TV or video (apart from
the opportunity to pay much more from the same product ?). "

I have to disagree with this - yes I can see that perhaps we are helping to
line the coffers of the overinflated media giants, but at a greater cost? I
don;t think it will be - the whole set of episodes on DVD will be around
half the cost over here of the VHS released a couple of years back.

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