TV Guide "Christmas With Elvis"

Post by **BigredG** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:01 pm

KingOfTheJungle wrote:The terrible sound is a result of them encoding the audio as a 22.1khz flash audio file. You can have a flash file that sounds like a standard CD audio file, but it takes up more space.

Space cannot be the reason for this defect however as the entire flash file on the disc (video and all) is only 84.5 megs, so they had around 600 more megs free, so it must have been either deliberate or an extreme flub on the part of the person making the flash file.

I personally would have rather seen this come as an "itunes exclusive" so it could at least have been listenable quality and not sound like it was recorded on someone's phone.

Is this a 3" CD and do they have 680 MB + storage??

Post by **JEFF d** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 11:50 pm

Well it should make a nice ornament or coaster.

JEFF d
EAP fan

Post by **Deke Rivers II** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:00 am

It is 5 inches. I have bought 3 of them and haven't even popped it in the old computer. After reading all this I am wishing I had bought only 1 or 2.

Post by **Gregory Nolan Jr.** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:52 am

Well, at least get around to popping it in the computer!

I kind of liked that simulated Christmas at Graceland shot, with the TV playing the '68 special, etc.

That said, I share some of the frustration that they didn't just use a real CD. The magazine says in big letters "Elvis CD-ROM" but the disc (very attractive) does not and I agree that many a TV Guide reader is in for a disappointment when it doesn't play in their stereo.

I agree that the low-fi sound is a bummer. Still, it's a promo and it is unreleased, so I try to enjoy it for it's "rarity" status until it gets a proper release.

Post by **KiwiAlan** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:56 am

Is this a clue to the problems - from the Worldwide Elvis site:-

"this CD can only be played on CD players and computers that have front loading trays. This CD cannot be played on any car stereo or non-loading tray computer or home stereo. Loading the CD onto a non-tray-loading device is likely to damage the machine."

Is the ink to thick

Post by **Gregory Nolan Jr.** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 6:05 pm

Not for me, no.

But for the average person who may pick this up, they'll see the "CD-ROM" banner on the cover, but by the time they take the disc out of the plastic, the old instinct may be to pop it into the stereo.

After all, TV GUIDE has been doing real CDs for sometime now and even the disc doesn't look like a CD-ROM but an actual picture CD-disc.

I personally prefer real discs and don't get off on playing music on my computer that much, so I'm sympathetic at least, especially as the fidelity is low.

Post by **bpd** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:13 am

I like the fact that an alternate take was released. I don't mind that it was used to promote sales of TV Guide.

What bothers me is that it's a freekin' comercial. The first 2 TV guide discs were cool..yet throw aways if yoiu really think about it...feed back in that's All Right and all.

But this time I feel ripped off. We collectors were the target. We went out of our way to pick up a TV guide (TV guide isn't everywhere like it used to be) to get an unreleased alternate take of an Elvis tune...

just to get poor quality sound and a commercial for products that we already own...already own...already own...and again...and again...

Oh well...just par for the course for an Elvis fan...

BPD

Post by **ritchie valens** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 8:21 am

hopefully ftd will release this take eventually.

Post by **Gregory Nolan Jr.** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:29 am

bpd wrote:I like the fact that an alternate take was released. I don't mind that it was used to promote sales of TV Guide.

What bothers me is that it's a freekin' comercial. The first 2 TV guide discs were cool..yet throw aways if yoiu really think about it...feed back in that's All Right and all.

But this time I feel ripped off. We collectors were the target. We went out of our way to pick up a TV guide (TV guide isn't everywhere like it used to be) to get an unreleased alternate take of an Elvis tune...

just to get poor quality sound and a commercial for products that we already own...already own...already own...and again...and again...

Oh well...just par for the course for an Elvis fan...

BPD

How easily you are "taken in." No one's forcing you to be a fan.

I say just "relax". You get an unreleased track for the price of a TV Guide. It's all about promoting Elvis and maybe drawing in some hard-core fans but mainly for casual fans. How much time and money do you think they're going to pour into such projects?

As a collector, none of us "need" any of this. But we become fanatic about "rare" tracks and so march to pick up some issues.

No one really gets hurt, trust me.

Post by **BigredG** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:24 pm

Spare a thought for us poor International Fans who have to pay big shipping to get this new track!!

Still all in all it is not an expensive little Christmas treat (not that I have heard it yet!!)

Post by **Deke Rivers II** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:36 pm

I'm pretty much with BPD on this one.

I love being a fan; no one forces me to be one but the past TV Guides Bonus CD's were worth the ticket so to speak...this one is not. Seems TV Guide is learning who their best Wh@re is.....Everyone loves to pimp Elvis...

And honestly I have no use for one TV Guide...much less 3 or 4.

Jeers to TV Guide and all envolved. One disc to choose from would have been good promotion (maybe); four just takes advantage of our love/desire for all things unreleased of Elvis

Post by **Spellbinder** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:36 pm

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:
bpd wrote:It's all about promoting Elvis and maybe drawing in some hard-core fans but mainly for casual fans.

An unreleased outtake mainly for casual fans? Strange.

Post by **ChrisM** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 6:00 pm

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:How much time and money do you think they're going to pour into such projects?

How much extra do you think it would have cost to NOT compress the hell out of the track?

I think the point that you are missing is that the people who chose to buy this had no reason to believe it would be anything other than CD-quality sound. They got less for their money than they were expecting. That meets my definition of "ripped-off".

Chris

Post by **Gregory Nolan Jr.** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 7:20 pm

I think someone thought that a CD-ROM would be a step up from a "mere" CD, as there are neat graphics and features when you pull it up on your computer.

But "ripped-off" ? Guys, relax.

From a sound point of view, I agree. But the industry is hurting and I guess they need to protect their "hooks." It's not a charity that BMG is running, you know.

That Elvis Presley is on the cover of any national magazine in 2006 is to be appreciated, not belly-ached over.

And to be sure, someone like Madison or FTD might one day release the track. It's not earth-shattering even in high-fidelity, I'm sure of that.

I love you collector-types and audiphiliacs (and I've become one) but sometimes we really do summon up that old Saturday Night Live skit with William Shatner about Star Trek fans ...

Post by **Kingtiger0321** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:44 am

Although I am not a "audiphiliac" I do have to say the sound sucks. The CD-rom Idea would have been good if it weren't for that. Intentional clicks, hiss and other abnormalties are just wrong. I did go out of my way to buy this and bought it knowing that the other TV Guide release were of good sound quality. It's not very good promotion on Sony / BMG's part as people who actually try this out are going to think all their releases sound this bad.

Post by **Deke Rivers II** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:50 am

ChrisM wrote: I think the point that you are missing is that the people who chose to buy this had no reason to believe it would be anything other than CD-quality sound. They got less for their money than they were expecting. That meets my definition of "ripped-off".
Chris

You are right on target, Chris!

Post by **Greybeard** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:25 am

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze20kf6/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/it_won_t_seem_like_christm2.mp3

Go here to check out the sound, I tweaked it a bit. It is over modulated in some spots, but it is what it is.
I hope this works as I am trying to figure out how to post audio files properly.
Enjoy, I will only make it available for a very short time

Greybeard

Post by **MysteryTrain** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:15 am

Greybeard, I think you did a nice job downloading this song. For what you had to work with, you did a really good job!

Thanks,

Mystery Train

Post by **BigredG** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:51 pm

Greybeard wrote:http://mysite.verizon.net/vze20kf6/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/it_won_t_seem_like_christm2.mp3

Go here to check out the sound, I tweaked it a bit. It is over modulated in some spots, but it is what it is.
I hope this works as I am trying to figure out how to post audio files properly.
Enjoy, I will only make it available for a very short time

Greybeard

Nice one mate!! Thanks - first time most of us in Europe have got to hear it I think

Post by **BigredG** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:53 pm

Something that has been bugging me is the "radio promo" package.

How can Radio Stations have used this Cd Rom disc for airplay? I am assuming it is the same disc as the TV Guides themselves?????

Post by **Spellbinder** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:41 pm

Greybeard wrote: Go here to check out the sound, I tweaked it a bit. It is over modulated in some spots, but it is what it is.
I hope this works as I am trying to figure out how to post audio files properly.
Enjoy, I will only make it available for a very short time

Thanks Greybeard - very much appreciated.

ELVIS2001NET · Post by **ELVIS2001NET** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:45 pm

yes the promo is useless at the station.
joe

Post by **ChrisM** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:57 pm

ELVIS2001NET wrote:yes the promo is useless at the station.
joe

Radio stations in America don't have PCs?

I think the intention was to get radio show hosts to talk about the giveaway, not necessarily to play the track.

Chris

Post by **bpd** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:38 pm

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:
bpd wrote:I like the fact that an alternate take was released. I don't mind that it was used to promote sales of TV Guide.

What bothers me is that it's a freekin' comercial. The first 2 TV guide discs were cool..yet throw aways if yoiu really think about it...feed back in that's All Right and all.

But this time I feel ripped off. We collectors were the target. We went out of our way to pick up a TV guide (TV guide isn't everywhere like it used to be) to get an unreleased alternate take of an Elvis tune...

just to get poor quality sound and a commercial for products that we already own...already own...already own...and again...and again...

Oh well...just par for the course for an Elvis fan...

BPD
How easily you are "taken in." No one's forcing you to be a fan.

I say just "relax". You get an unreleased track for the price of a TV Guide. It's all about promoting Elvis and maybe drawing in some hard-core fans but mainly for casual fans. How much time and money do you think they're going to pour into such projects?

As a collector, none of us "need" any of this. But we become fanatic about "rare" tracks and so march to pick up some issues.

No one really gets hurt, trust me.

I agree with you except for the "easily taken in" part.

This is the third TV guide single. The first two were excellent (I knew that they wouldn't really give anything monumental away). An expectation was set...all the rest of my post was just venting...

bpd

Post by **Gregory Nolan Jr.** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:40 pm

Greybeard wrote:Enjoy, I will only make it available for a very short time

Yes, please do that, Greybeard, for a lot of you are in the process of completing your swaps or purchases of these TV Guides (see "Trade Section") and I don't want to be left on the hook for all those issues I went out and purchased on request..

Please, let's not have anyone bail out on those orders!

Consider it a sneak preview of the content on the CD-ROM, folks!