Can some one tell me the sound quality of video cds. Are they streo? How do they compare to VHS? Is it good enough for db suround sound? thanx

-- Thomas Stover (thomas_stover@hotmail.com), January 08, 1999

Answers

The sound depends on the company releasing the movie. Many video cds that are from the studios originall are basic stereo. Some studios do find a way to encode the audio tracks in AC-3 or even Dolby Surround. however they prefer to stick to basic stereo as PCs and normal households can afford to handle that particular audio channel.

-- Rutger Stevens (rutger_s@hotmail.com), January 08, 1999.

I have done a comparison of something recorded from television to both tape and video cd. The VHS copy, made on a Hi-Fi VCR, had a bad background hiss and the stereo effects were bland. I also captured the same thing directly from the television into my computer, encoded it in MPEG, and made a Video CD of it. It sounded gorgeous, almost CD quality, with terrific Dolby Surround.

To make a long story short, Video CD sound is much better than VHS.

Of course anything is only as good as it's components. Hope this answers your question, I tried to make it as simple as possible, but I think I failed.

-- Eric J. Katowitz (eric@cire.com), January 11, 1999.