Some weeks ago, a colleague of ours was able to buy five VCDs of new films even before they opened in town. Authorized VCDs of new movies are priced at something like P425 at legit outlets, but the colorum VCDs cost only from P100 to P120 each. Prices can be brought down that drastically because the pirated tapes don't pay video royalties to the films' producers or distributors, and no taxes to the government. Of course, when you buy a pirated VCD, you run the risk of getting your hands on a lemon, a poor version copied on the run in moviehouses abroad during screenings of those movies, weeks before they open in the Philippines. In addition, the sound is bad, and movie patrons can sometimes be seen crossing in front of the camera and vocally reacting to what is being shown in the theater.
Some tapes even have Chinese subtitles.
Incidentally, the poor copies may soon be a thing of the past because some outlets of unauthorized VCDs now allow buyers to preview tapes before the sale is closed. This way, buyers can select the best copies and thus avoid getting disappointed once they get home. Important people Our colleague believes that the trade in pirated VCDs is on the rise. In fact, there are little stores that now specialize in unauthorized tapes. On the audio front, the trade is even busier.