What is a VCD?

    VCD stands for 'Video Compact Disc' and basically it is a CD that contains moving pictures and sound. If you're familiar with regular audio/music CDs, then you will know what a VCD looks like.The quality of a  VCD is about the same as a VHS tape based movie  It is also possible to use menus and chapters, similar to DVDs, on a VCD and also simple photo album/slide shows with background audio.

Technical

    A VCD has the capacity to hold up to 74/80 minutes on 650MB/700MB CDs respectively of full-motion video along with quality stereo sound. VCDs use a compression standard called MPEG-1 to store the video and audio.As opposed to DVD that utilizes the MPEG-2. This ensures full compatibility with a wide range of devices.Overall picture quality is intended to be comparable to VHS video, though visual artifacts may be noticeable in some cases.

Are vcds any good?

• Unlike DVDs, VCDs have no region coding, which means they can be played on any compatible machine worldwide.

• They are much cheaper than DVDs or even a VHS. On the other hand, they do not come with the bonus features of DVDs, such as deleted scenes, interviews, and production notes

• It is also possible to use menus and chapters, similiar to DVDs, on a VCD and also simple photo album/slide shows with background audio.VCDs provides random access search.  This means that, you can quickly find that scene where Keanu Reeves dodges those bullets in The Matrix

• The video quality that you can expect from a VCD is comparable or better than VHS. Audio is usually Dolby Digital Surround.

• Some titles available on VCD may not be available on DVD and/or VHS in the prospective buyer's region.

• There is no deterioration or degradation of picture quality over time, even when you watch Jennifer Lopez over & over again.

• The discs are not bulky making them easy to store anywhere, even under your pillow.

How do I play a vcd?

        The really cool thing about a VCD is that you can run it on a variety of different platforms including personal computers and laptops/notebooks (both PC & Mac), almost all DVD players, stand-alone VCD players, televisions, and game boxes (e.g. Playstations) and multimedia boxes.   

• All Personal Computers - both PC & Mac with CD-ROMs/DVD-ROMs, a sound card and a good graphics card

• PC requires MPEG capable software. WinDVD or Windows Media Player which you can download for free from Microsoft's site. 

• Mac requires Quicktime and/or Speedtools
  Another downloadable player for the Mac is MacVCD. (Now available Mac 2.0) 
   

• VCD players; i.e. stand alone VCD player.Very common in Asia
   

• DVD players; most DVD players are Video CD compatible (I recommend to check your manual first)
   

• Game Consoles (e.g.
  Playstation requires an inexpensive add-on Redant Movie Card .
  For Dreamcast get the  Dream VCD Player& Remote control set
  For Nintendo 64 get the Doctor V64 (256 M version)
  These are inexpensive add-ons that will enable you to watch VCD movies through your machines. Also some Saturn Consoles & 3DO Game Consoles are compatible provided you get an add-on movie card. Contact your favorite game console dealer. (There are currently no add-on movie cards available for the Playstation 2.)
   

• Some Philips CD-I Players (Pls check your manual)
  
   

Adoption

    While never gaining a foothold in the United States or Europe, commercial VCDs were very popular throughout Asia because of the low price of the players, their tolerance of high humidity (a notable problem for VCRs), and the lower-cost media.

    The VCD format allows home computer users to create home movies on CD. Almost all DVD players are capable of playing regular VCDs (I recommend to check your manual first). However, not all DVD players can read the CD-R media, hence homemade VCDs produced by CD burners (versus those produced by pressing) may not be playable on some DVD players. Such incompatibility is a major problem that prevents consumers from distributing their home-made VCDs as their video Christmas greetings.