So what is the big deal about Video CD authoring? We have many different methods of distributing our video available to us, such as:
Well, if you've worked with any of those options, you probably know that they all come with their limitations. Let's discuss each one and see if a Video CD is a better solution.
VHS
The benefit of outputting to VHS is that almost everyone has a VCR. If you have the proper hardware in your computer then you can output to a VHS tape. But that hardware often is not the same hardware that can capture from your DV camcorder. So, after you get all the appropriate equipment set up and working, then the final result (the VHS tape) is sent to your friend or associate. But we all know that the quality and lifespan of VHS is not meant to last. Also, VHS tapes are a sizable cassette, about as big as any Franklin day-planner. That's a lot of shelf space to take up.
MiniDV
Next we have the MiniDV or D8 cassette that your DV camcorder holds. This is a better quality solution when you are showing off your project, but you often have to use the same camcorder as your playing deck. Repeated use of your camcorder as a tape deck can wear out the heads from all the REW and FF shuttling.
Streaming Formats
Another solution to share your videos is to convert your videos to a streaming format or at least to compress them into a manageable size. Then you can share over the Internet. This is great for Internet applications, but the quality of both video and audio is substantially lost in the compression process, and you are left with something that is very terrible to show to your audience on a television. No matter how cool your music is or how skillful you are at editing, the luster will be lost.
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