Difference between VCD (Video-CD) & CD+G (CD+Graphics)
Both VCD and CD+G look the same, being 5" compact disc. Both are Karaoke formats because the songs you want to sing are either available in VCD or in CD+G disc format.
However, when playing a Karaoke Video-CD(VCD), you will see on the TV screen the lyrics of the song and also a motion video background. Since any video movement or action, e.g. People walking, jumping, leaves falling etc. occupy memory space in the disc, VCD has to be compressed by a special compression technique (MPEG) and at the same time, the audio sound tracks in the discs will inevitably be compressed. Therefore, in playback, the musical instruments recorded on the VCD will not be as clear as they should be.
On the other hand, Karaoke CD+Graphics(CD+G) contain no video background. When playing a Karaoke CD+G disc, you see a blue screen with lyrics of the song only. And, as a result, no compression is involved and the instruments played out are just like playing a regular music CD and are therefore very clear. If you sing along with a CD+G Karaoke disc, you have a better feel of the music and your singing is just like being backed up by a live orchestra. Therefore, any song that is arranged with a full orchestra or with more instruments can only be lively if recorded on CD+Graphics. Fast songs and in particular, country songs are only available in CD+G. That's why in bars and restaurants, most professional singers and DJ's use CD+G for their Karaoke.
CD+G Karaoke discs are also known as performance track. Practice your favorite songs, particularly new songs on CD+G. After you have mastered it, bring the disc to the DJ who may not have a CD+G machine but most likely will have a regular CD player. Since CD+G discs can also be played on a regular CD player (although lyrics not shown on TV), you can perform on the same version of the song with live CD music back-up! You will be able to perform with confidence!
Please note that unlike CD+Graphics(CD+G), Video-CD(VCD) cannot be played on regular CD player: there will be no sound, no picture!
