Luck
of the Draw on Video CD?!?!?!
Date: 05/15/2000
From: SingularVisions
A "new" episode of Sliders appears to be (legally) available on Video CD!!!!ABSmusic.com lists a new Sliders VCD: The Draw just before Exodus. It's listed as Slider: The Draw. IS this Luck of the Draw -- the first season finale?! TF -- would love to have a confirmation before I order both of them.
To find the new Sliders VCD, go to absmusic.com. Click on VCDs. Then click on Sci-Fi. After the Sci-Fi listing loads, scroll down to the bottom and you will see two Sliders VCDs for sale (erroneously labeled: Slider).
For those that have ordered the Sliders Video CDs -- are they pretty good?? How is the quality of the Video CDs when played on your DVD players? Thanks.
- SingularVisions
I've
been leery of this, S V
Date: 05/15/2000
From: hakavonn
When THE EXODUS was announced as available from that source, I checked out the site.
You know, I couldn't find any real world address for the place? I don't even know what country the company is it. I hesitate to give my credit card number to such an unknown.
(Of course, I'm also not sure if my computer can handle the format or how to set it up to do so if it does...Leave it to me to spend $6 on something I can't view.)*If anyone knows this business and can tell us where on the website they identify their location, etc., could you please tell us?*
Hmmmmm...
Date: 05/15/2000
From: TemporalFlux
Just looked at it and noticed they don't offer a picture or a description. I'll mail them to try to find out since I've also been unable to find that information anywhere else. I mean...I would assume it's "Luck of the Draw" and "Into the Mystic" (since they seem to be going for two episode sets and those two episodes would connect). But, I don't know that for sure.As for quality, I have received my copy but haven't had a chance to view it yet. I've heard from several other people who received their copy that it's not too bad...but all of those people have viewed it through the computer (and I hear that you do need to download some special software off the net for free to view it...something about the MPEG compression being a little strange). As for DVD players, I've also found out that only certain ones play VCD's. If you have a Toshiba, then it won't play it. But a Sony and most other DVD players will play it.
Anyway, I know that's not much help...but it's all I got. I'll give 'em a mail and see what I can find out...but by looking at the packaging on the copy I received, it most definitely appears official (it has all the proper copyright notices and warnings and features a 1999 Studios USA/Universal Studio City copyright. Considering that Studios USA has only been around since 1999...it pretty much cinches it's official with that listed since any forgery - especially overseas - wouldn't know of Studios USA).
Tf
temporalflux@hotmail.com
http://www.dimensionofcontinuity.com
It
is Luck of the Draw...
Date: 05/15/2000
From: Alternity_Orange
...plus another episode, Into the Mystic I presume like Tf said. The company that produces these things, Multiara, is located in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. The Exodus one even has a commercial for a local restaurant before the episode starts. I think it's a riot that a Malaysian company is releasing VCD versions of Sliders when they are not even out on video here. I'm really hoping for actual DVDs but that's probably a pipe dream.
I'm one of the unlucky ones who has a Toshiba player and can only watch it on my computer. Even then, again as Tf said, you might have some problems becuase it uses Soft-Peg which is a slightly different version of M-Peg compression. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is but I believe it depends on your processor. Basically, if it's MMX capable you shouldn't have a problem, if it's not you will. There is an emulator you can download but it's not free and I don't want to go into detail about it on a public board. If anyone has a problem playing their copy, contact me.
Oh, there is one other place selling Luck of the Draw and the Exodus. It cost bit more but the shipping is a little less so it evens out. There is a picture at this site;
http://www.getvcds.com/vcd/sliders2.shtml
AO
WOO
HOO!!!
Date: 05/15/2000
From: QBall79
I'm ordering it. Until I get a DVD player, though, I'll have to settle for watching it on my computer.Q-Ball79
http://www.slidersweb.net
Recommendation
for QBall79
Date: 05/15/2000
From: SingularVisions
If you want the best DVD player for the best price, I recommend the Pioneer DV-525. Every DVD I've played (I have a total of 19 DVDs and my collection is still growing) plays flawlessly and the picture quality is beautiful. And I've had the player for four months. No problems!Sorry if this sounds like a sales pitch, but I am VERY happy with this player! According to the user manual, it plays CDs, DVDs, AND Video CDs. I've ordered my copies of Luck of The Draw and Exodus and will report back to everyone here how they are once I get them =^)
- SingularVisions
To
Alt Orange >>
Date: 05/15/2000
From: vortex62
Thanks for link!!!! :-)
Vortex62
www.earth62.net
that
is awesome......
Date: 05/16/2000
From: quinn24
I hope they keep pumping them out. I bought the Exxodus after reading TF's post about it a while back (thanks TF):)
The quality on it was'nt too bad but in a few scenes it seemed to run a little too fast. It did'nt really affect the video but it did mess with the characters voices a little. Maggie almost sounded like a chipmunk at one point. But then again I'm playing this on my computer because my RCA DVD player does not support this format. Still, I'm a sucker for sliders so I'm off to purchase this one too. :)
SingularVisions
Date: 05/16/2000
From: QBall79
Thanks for the tip! Would I be able to hook it up immediately to my TV/VCR/stereo, or will I need some kind of adapter?Also, does it allow you to use all the features (letterbox, cut scenes, etc.)?
Q-Ball79
http://www.slidersweb.net/
QBball79...
Date: 05/16/2000
From: SingularVisions
No problem!As for hookups, you will be able to hook it up to your TV immediately. If you have audio/video input on your TV (what I recommend), all you need to do is hook up the audio/video cables that come with the DVD player. Just hook them up from the DVD player to the TV.
As for the VCR, because of the macrovision (copy) protection, the picture will come out looking distorted. I don't recommend connecting using this method. If you want to hook it up to your stereo, you can do that as well.
Regarding the features, you can use them all if the DVD itself supports them. If it is a letterbox version, you can probably set the settings on the DVD player to Pan & Scan (full screen version) if you want to. I haven't done this, however. I prefer my movies in their letterbox version even though I have a normal-sized TV.
As for other features, you will find parental control, access to deleted scenes if the DVD contains them (but not by putting them back in the film unless the DVD itself supports that), changing language (again, as long as the DVD itself supports it).
If you have any other questions, let me know.
- SingularVisions
Original URL http://bboard.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/20641
Nominated by DMD
