So what’s a guy to do when he’s bored to death? Go DVD shopping of course. And I’m not talking about the legitimate variety of discs. That would break the bank. I’m talking about the pirated version. Of course, this is a taboo subject. We’re not supposed to admit they exist, right?
Pirated DVD sales in Malaysia are all about customer service. Anyone who has ever frequented a DVD shop will tell you that these sellers are pretty good businessmen to deal with. Scratch on the disc? No problem. Just bring it back for a no hassle replacement. Crappy movie? No problem. Just bring it back and pick out a new one. Bad copy? No problem. Just bring it back and get a good copy.
So, what’s a good cop? That would be the one with clear audio and a clear picture. Halfway credible subtitles are a bonus, but that’s just asking a little much sometimes. Just ask the DVD guys and they will tell you the exact quality of the disc, even before you buy. Cinema copy? ‘No, this one’s clear’, says Ah Bee confidently. The days of the guys head bobbing up and down in front of the picture appear to be over.
So what’s the going rate for a DVD these days? RM10. You think that’s cheap? Let’s just say that the price is relevant to the Malaysian economy. A DVD cost around RM3 in Vietnam. It still humours me to see some old timers at the DVD shop trying to negotiate a special deal. Patiently the DVD seller explains to him that it doesn’t work like that anymore. Everyone pays the same price. You might get a free one if you buy 5 or 6, but there’s no special rate.
Any DVD consumer will tell you that buying from the brick and mortar shop far and away beats buying from the Ah Beng who comes around while you’re eating your Maggi goreng at the eatery. And the same goes for the shifty guys at the night market. There’s no return policy with these mobile guys because you’ll never see them again.
So what’s the latest trend in DVDs? That would be high quality imports, special boxes and better quality. Those seem to be going for slightly more. And you can find plenty of older titles if the latest Hollywood schmooze doesn’t float your boat. TV your thing? They can do that too. In fact, it seems that box-set TV shows might outstrip even movies as Malaysia’s pirated discs of choice. If porn is more up your alley, most of the sellers seem to have that going on as well. In fact, some of tem even seem to have a special room dedicated to the cause. What often disturbs me is when porn is left out in the open so close to the animation. A lot of things mix well in this world but not porn and cartoons. Let’s try to keep Who Reamed Rosie Rabbit away from the kiddies eh?
Pirated DVD sales in Malaysia are all about customer service. Anyone who has ever frequented a DVD shop will tell you that these sellers are pretty good businessmen to deal with. Scratch on the disc? No problem. Just bring it back for a no hassle replacement. Crappy movie? No problem. Just bring it back and pick out a new one. Bad copy? No problem. Just bring it back and get a good copy.
So, what’s a good cop? That would be the one with clear audio and a clear picture. Halfway credible subtitles are a bonus, but that’s just asking a little much sometimes. Just ask the DVD guys and they will tell you the exact quality of the disc, even before you buy. Cinema copy? ‘No, this one’s clear’, says Ah Bee confidently. The days of the guys head bobbing up and down in front of the picture appear to be over.
So what’s the going rate for a DVD these days? RM10. You think that’s cheap? Let’s just say that the price is relevant to the Malaysian economy. A DVD cost around RM3 in Vietnam. It still humours me to see some old timers at the DVD shop trying to negotiate a special deal. Patiently the DVD seller explains to him that it doesn’t work like that anymore. Everyone pays the same price. You might get a free one if you buy 5 or 6, but there’s no special rate.
Any DVD consumer will tell you that buying from the brick and mortar shop far and away beats buying from the Ah Beng who comes around while you’re eating your Maggi goreng at the eatery. And the same goes for the shifty guys at the night market. There’s no return policy with these mobile guys because you’ll never see them again.
So what’s the latest trend in DVDs? That would be high quality imports, special boxes and better quality. Those seem to be going for slightly more. And you can find plenty of older titles if the latest Hollywood schmooze doesn’t float your boat. TV your thing? They can do that too. In fact, it seems that box-set TV shows might outstrip even movies as Malaysia’s pirated discs of choice. If porn is more up your alley, most of the sellers seem to have that going on as well. In fact, some of tem even seem to have a special room dedicated to the cause. What often disturbs me is when porn is left out in the open so close to the animation. A lot of things mix well in this world but not porn and cartoons. Let’s try to keep Who Reamed Rosie Rabbit away from the kiddies eh?
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