Get rid of VHS Boogie Videos?

[Cajones 0]

The recent controversy over the Rantoul video delivery has created some questions I hope all of you can help answer.

Producing both VHS and DVD variants of a Boogie Video drive costs up prohibatively.

I really like DVD. I prefer it over VHS, hands down. Not everyone has a DVD player, and not everyone has a VHS player. VHS (for now, at least) is more common, however, and cheaper in terms of mastering and reproduction in the numbers produced for skydiving boogies.

The question is this:

If only one is produced - either VHS OR DVD - which would you prefer?

Option 1 - self explanitory - you have no opinion because you're not a consumer.

Option 2 and 3 - if the opposite of your preference is the only offering (i.e. I prefer DVD, but I still buy the VHS if that's all I can get), you'd still buy it.

Option 4 and 5 - you'd buy only buy if your preference is offered (maybe you don't have a DVD player and a VHS player).

These are factors to consider: VHS cost in the poll is $35, and DVD is $50 (by next year I actually expect it to be $35 - but lets assume $50 for now). Because of additional work required for DVD, deliver will add another 2-4 weeks. The quality of the DVD will be higher and allow longer playtimes/more features than VHS.

This is a place for opinions about what YOU want. Your comments will all be considered, and can have an impact on future video offerings. Feel free to PM or post any questions/considerations I may be overlooking.

Muchas Gracias,

Cajones

The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

[quatorze 1]

C.A. Jones, what is going on ma brutha, I believe the vote is overwhelming, at least for the time being ...VHS, just about everyone who has a DVD player has a VCR but not vice versa, ya see?

Tell, Lew is said hello

I'm not afriad of dying, I'm afraid of never really living- Erin Engle

[Guest]

I think it's a little early to phase out VHS, but it will eventually go the way of other obsolete technologies.

There must be some forecasts by the Consumer Electronics Association that could help you determine when to make the switch.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[FallingILweenie 0]

I'd go for the DVD if possible, the tape if it's the only available thing.....what's spending 15 bucks more if you'll have the video for a long time and can watch it on a superior format long after you'll have cared whether you paid more money or waited more time for it.

[lewmonst 0]

Quote

C.A. Jones, what is going on ma brutha, I believe the vote is overwhelming, at least for the time being ...VHS, just about everyone who has a DVD player has a VCR but not vice versa, ya see?

Tell, Lew is said hello

Hola Quatorze!!!! you know, i'm on here too, you can say hello to me anytime. I'll try to be nice

peace

Amazona Rodriguez...

http://www.exitshot.com

[RevJim 0]

Hear hear.

The DVD quality, as long as the production is done up to DVD quality, is the way to go. I'll buy VHS if that's all there is, but then I'd have to capture it onto my 'puter, encode, and burn to DVD or SVCD to watch on my TV. (he only VHS player in the house is hooked up to the computer for that reason. The other 4 tv's all have dvd players, but no vhs.)

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[skeletor 0]

Quote

I think it's a little early to phase out VHS, but it will eventually go the way of other obsolete technologies.

There must be some forecasts by the Consumer Electronics Association that could help you determine when to make the switch.

Yeah, but we're not talking about the average consumer here so these numbers don't apply. We're talking skydivers so all assumptions go out the window.

Why the extra cost for DVD ? is it just because of the low production numbers ?

Rich

[Cajones 0]

Yes. Low production = High per DVD costs. The way the numbers work, somewhere around 1000, the cost to produce DVDs is equal, with numbers about that being a bit cheaper than VHS.

The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

I don't really care, some flicks have the market to produce both, some don't. Just make sure its available in PAL, and Region 2 for DVDs.
Frankly I can't see a sufficient market (to enable a reasonably priced production run) in Europe for a DVD of say the Lost Prairie boogie, for example.

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[Cajones 0]

This provokes another good point about DVD's. DVD's can be made with Region Code 0 (zero) which play in any region. No need for PAL and NTSC versions, like VHS.

The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

[nacmacfeegle 0]

"No need for PAL and NTSC versions, like VHS. "

Hmmm, sounds odd, frame rate differences etc...?
You sure about that Cajones?
Anyways, most modern VHS machines and TVs over here are capable of projecting both formats...

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

[Cajones 0]

All DVD players sold in PAL countries play both kinds of discs. These multi-standard players partially convert NTSC to a 60-Hz PAL (4.43 NTSC) signal. The player uses the PAL 4.43-MHz color subcarrier encoding format but keeps the 525/60 NTSC scanning rate. Most modern PAL TVs can handle this "pseudo-PAL" signal. A few multi-standard PAL players output true 3.58 NTSC from NTSC discs, which requires an NTSC TV or a multi-standard TV. Some players have a switch to choose 60-Hz PAL or true NTSC output when playing NTSC discs. There are a few standards-converting PAL players that convert from a NTSC disc to standard PAL output. Proper standards conversion requires expensive hardware to handle scaling, temporal conversion, and object motion analysis. Because the quality of conversion in DVD players is poor, using 60-Hz PAL output with a compatible TV provides a better picture. (Sound is not affected by video conversion.)

I don't know why the PAL manufacturers decided to do this, but it's certainly a plus. The new twist I expect to actually make it to market is "smart-DVD's" - these are Region 1 (US/Canada) DVD's that check if you have a Region 0 (plays any region) player. They are designed to only play on Region 1 players. Of course, there are players that allow you to switch playback regions (some right from the remote).

The laws of physics are strictly enforced.