OMG - WHAT is THIS?!?!?!

skcin · #1 12-18-2003, 08:18 AM

Hoping someone could clue me in...

Stopped into a used record store the other day, looking for another copy of Buckingham Nicks (they didn't have that, but they did have a ton of FM on vinyl - too bad that I already have what they had for sale.)
Anyway, I was looking around at everything (videos, magazines, posters, etc.) & I saw the FM Tusk Documentary picture (the one from the cover of the video sleeve) but it was HUGE & looked like an LP. I picked it up & it's a RCA SelectaVision VideoDisc (what?!?) It says it's for a Capacitance Electronic Disc System - the guy said those were around before laser discs came out. Anyone heard of this?
I bought it, of course (did I mention it's STILL SEALED!!!) I figure I'll check out our local flea market (which sells all kinds of useless crap) & see if I can find a player. BTW, the disc was only $15.
If I find a player, do you think I should unwrap it & enjoy it, or keep it sealed for eternity? I do have the Tusk doc. on VHS, but it's a copy & not the best quality - I assume this would be crystal clear. Help!!!

Paula

highpriestess53 · #2 12-18-2003, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by skcin
If I find a player, do you think I should unwrap it & enjoy it, or keep it sealed for eternity? I do have the Tusk doc. on VHS, but it's a copy & not the best quality - I assume this would be crystal clear. Help!!!

Paula

I am not clued into CEDS systems however if you are asking about whether or not you should open it?? MMMMmmmm... in terms of value appreciation it is better to keep it sealed and get yourself a video copy of the Tusk tour documentary. JMO

Louise

jwys_soapbox · #3 12-18-2003, 08:56 AM

Having been a teenager at the time, and pretty interested in hi-tech entertainment components, I was intrigued that I had never heard of CED so I did some research... here is one of the better links I found...

http://www.links.net/dox/flix/ced/

Based on the fact that CED lost the popularity battle to lasardiscs, which have in turn lost to DVDs, I would say your disc is going to become more and more of a curiosity. Its value will be based entirely to whom you court for a sell. Fleetwood Mac fans will probably pay more for it for the association with the band and its rarity, while CED enthusiasts will expect to pay less given the obscurity of the format. I'd personally get a CED player and a DVD recorder and make a nice copy. But hey, that's just me.

John

seteca · #4 12-18-2003, 08:59 AM

I've seen lots of Video Disc reissues of old music videos, including FM's "Tusk Documentary & Concert", and also the "Mirage Tour Video". My local HMV had copies of both until last year but then it scrapped its Laser Disc section. I'm sure they're still readily available though.

Btw...when I read the thread title "OMG - WHAT IS THIS?!?!?!", I thought I was about to read that a member of the Mac is having a sexchange or something.....

skcin · #5 12-18-2003, 12:30 PM

HAHAHA! Well, Seteca, I figured I had to get peoples' attention somehow, lol!

Paula

wondergirl9847 · #6 12-18-2003, 12:46 PM

I wonder which one of them is most likely to HAVE one? Hmm...interesting thread discussion....BWAH!!

skcin · #7 12-18-2003, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jwys_soapbox
Having been a teenager at the time, and pretty interested in hi-tech entertainment components, I was intrigued that I had never heard of CED so I did some research... here is one of the better links I found...

http://www.links.net/dox/flix/ced/

Based on the fact that CED lost the popularity battle to lasardiscs, which have in turn lost to DVDs, I would say your disc is going to become more and more of a curiosity. Its value will be based entirely to whom you court for a sell. Fleetwood Mac fans will probably pay more for it for the association with the band and its rarity, while CED enthusiasts will expect to pay less given the obscurity of the format. I'd personally get a CED player and a DVD recorder and make a nice copy. But hey, that's just me.

John

John - that is a great site, I got more info than I thought I would!

I'm thinking I'll try to find a player (we have all the old Atari/Colecovision/Nintendo game systems, so why not buy more old technology, right?)

Paula

ricohv · #8 12-19-2003, 02:30 AM

I was told one time by an old pawn shop guy in regards to ;old albums I had still sealed in the original wrap that you SHOULD take a razor and cut down one seam because the plastic wrap will shrink over time and damage or warp the album. He said to just not take the album out much, if at all, to maintain it's condition, and no harm is done to the actual value. This might be true for what you have to.
I l;ove finding things like that and I usualy feel when it comes to FM stuff, of course I want to keep. it in good conditi;on, but I also want to see how it plays or sounds and could never leave it in its original case untouched. Besides, I have never been able to part with any of that or really consider even selling it!
Ricoh

darklinensuit · #9 12-19-2003, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seteca
Btw...when I read the thread title "OMG - WHAT IS THIS?!?!?!", I thought I was about to read that a member of the Mac is having a sexchange or something.....

John McVie becomes Joan McVie, and 'tain't a pretty sight, folks.

- Jake

JamieSPC · #10 12-19-2003, 10:35 AM

Hi...

I'm a home theater enthusiast... have been for many years. I owned (and still own) a CED system and a few discs. If I were you, I'd not count on playing the CED you got. I'd keep it as a "keepsake," but making a DVD of it will only be disappointing.

CED is a needle-based system much like LPs. Video quality would likely be sub-par to VHS or pretty close, and a DVD from it (because of resolution difference) would likely be almost unwatchable. Also, CEDs went off the market in '83 or '84... as prone as these things were to warping or degrading, and given that it's been in shrinkwrap for 24 years or so, it probably wouldn't play in a way that would be satisfying to you. As problematic as the players were, you could also end up damaging the disc trying to play it (I unfortunately just did this to one of my old CEDs).

The Tusk doc is fairly easy to find on Laserdisc (the digital precursor to DVD)... if you'd like a clean copy of it there are players readily available on eBay for under $100. I'd go that route.

Hope this helps! Good luck and congrats on your find. If nothing else, it will look great in a "Mac shrine"!

~Jamie

#11 12-19-2003, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by seteca
Btw...when I read the thread title "OMG - WHAT IS THIS?!?!?!", I thought I was about to read that a member of the Mac is having a sexchange or something.....

didn't Christine already satisfy that years ago??? hahaha...boy, i'm going to get blasted for that one....

coldplay · #12 12-23-2003, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skcin
I picked it up & it's a RCA SelectaVision VideoDisc (what?!?) It says it's for a Capacitance Electronic Disc System - the guy said those were around before laser discs came out. Anyone heard of this?

I remember an interview from years ago when Mick was asked if they'd consider releasing a video disc. Now I finally know what they were talking about.

As someone who has an interest in audiovisual preservation, I've never heard of CED. I guess it never made it here to Australia.

Very interesting read though. Thanks!!