Live CDs vs. Live DVDs

[Setlist Scotty]

In the thread regarding concerns of the setlist and what will appear on the upcoming live release, KevShmev brought up the point that most people these days could care less about the live CDs and prefer live DVDs. I beg to differ personally, as I don't have the time, nor the motivation to sit down and watch a concert, but I enjoy being able to listen to concerts while driving or doing other tasks. While this may be applicable to all sorts of bands/artists, what is your opinion when it comes to DT's live releases?

[Scorpion]

I basically agree with what you said. Sure, I sometimes watch DVDs, but it's a far rarer occasion for me.

[FlyingBIZKIT]

DVDs. Easy.


I get a much more experienced feeling by watching it.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

DVDs. If you want audio, just rip it from the DVD.

[theseoafs]

They're for different purposes, honestly. But I'd pick a CD if it were up to me which item DT released, if only because I listen to a live CD more often.

[wasteland]

I would be equally interested in buying both of them.

[wolfking]

DVD's, no contest.

[Cool Chris]

In my single days, I would say DVD without question. But back then, I had no wife, no kid, no cable, and lots of time.

Now, the reality of me sitting down and watching a concert DVD for any more than 15 minutes is a rarity. Live CDs just don't interest me as much. I don't own one live DT CD, but all their official DVDs except CiM.

[comment]

DVD.  I rarely listen to live CD's.

[The Letter M]

Both, if possible, but I listen to music more than I watch tv, so CD sets are more viable for my personal pleasure. I rarely get a chance to sit down and watch/pay attention to a live concert video, and if I do put it on, it's usually for background noise while I work on the computer.

In the case of the live CD set being the same as the audio from the DVD, then I would choose the CD over the DVD, unless the video is really special and the extras grab my attention - commentary also helps. Either way, I'd more often than not listen to a live CD set with headphones on.

In the case of where the CD and DVD are of different origins, then depending on the source material used, I may pick one or the other, but I would rather have both.

In the case of this upcoming DT tour leg, I hope they film a single whole show, but release a compiled CD set that releases ALL (or most) of the songs they've played so far on this tour that are worthwhile for CD release, meaning if a song is new, or it's arrangement has been altered in any way, or if it hasn't been released on a live CD set yet (or hasn't since OIALT), then it should see release on the next live CD album.

-Marc.

[Adami]

DVD's. Especially in the case of bands like Dream Theater who (at least now) tend to play the songs as close to the CD as possible. A live CD at this point would just sound like a low quality album re-release.

[PetFish]

DVDs. If you want audio, just rip it from the DVD.

DVD has both video and audio whereas a CD is just audio so for a little more $$$ you get way more stuff.  Plus, a lot of times the DVD will have more music than the CD cuz it holds more material.  Also, many live concert DVD's also come with a cut-down CD of the same show now so there's not such a decision to make anyway.

[Cable]

Same as the majority.

Also like others: more time for live CD, but prefer DVD/video.

[BlobVanDam]

I rarely listen to their live CDs, and mostly watch the live DVDs when I get the urge. If I'm only going to be listening to it, I'd rather just listen to the studio versions, because I mostly don't like the sound of live albums. Plus I get the DVDs for the extras as much as anything else, which the CDs don't have.

[Adami]

I rarely listen to their live CDs, and mostly watch the live DVDs when I get the urge. If I'm only going to be listening to it, I'd rather just listen to the studio versions, because I mostly don't like the sound of live albums. Plus I get the DVDs for the extras as much as anything else, which the CDs don't have.

Your copies of the live CD's don't have the backstage documentaries?

[KevShmev]

The thing with live CDs is, yes, I listen to CDs way more than I watch DVDs, but if I am gonna listen to Dream Theater, for example, I am gonna listen to the studio albums.  They are not a band where the live versions are better than the studio ones, with a few exceptions, IMO. 

[Kwyjibo]

I can't watch DVDs in the car so I'm more for CDs.

[BlobVanDam]

I rarely listen to their live CDs, and mostly watch the live DVDs when I get the urge. If I'm only going to be listening to it, I'd rather just listen to the studio versions, because I mostly don't like the sound of live albums. Plus I get the DVDs for the extras as much as anything else, which the CDs don't have.

Your copies of the live CD's don't have the backstage documentaries?

.......Do I have to turn the disc over or something? IS THERE A SIDE-B?

[wasteland]

I rarely listen to their live CDs, and mostly watch the live DVDs when I get the urge. If I'm only going to be listening to it, I'd rather just listen to the studio versions, because I mostly don't like the sound of live albums. Plus I get the DVDs for the extras as much as anything else, which the CDs don't have.

Your copies of the live CD's don't have the backstage documentaries?

.......Do I have to turn the disc over or something? IS THERE A SIDE-B?

Are you familiar with the theory of branch points in complex analysis? 

[MoraWintersoul]

DVDs, easily. The audio can be ripped from a DVD so you can have both. Seeing how I rarely get shows down here, I like watching bands play, even if only on screen.

[TheGreatPretender]

DVDs by a longshot. I mean, if I'm only going to listen to Audio, why bother listening to a live version at all when I can listen to the studio version? Sure, there are extended solos and stuff, but that's only on usually about 3 to 4 songs per concert max.
And heck, with Dream Theater of all bands, I love seeing them perform. They're amazing musicians and always put on rockin' shows.

And yes, the audio can always be ripped, so as far as I'm concerned, if a DVD is purchased, the person is entitled to own the audio as well.

[Adami]

I rarely listen to their live CDs, and mostly watch the live DVDs when I get the urge. If I'm only going to be listening to it, I'd rather just listen to the studio versions, because I mostly don't like the sound of live albums. Plus I get the DVDs for the extras as much as anything else, which the CDs don't have.

Your copies of the live CD's don't have the backstage documentaries?

.......Do I have to turn the disc over or something? IS THERE A SIDE-B?

No no no, when the cd starts you just have to yell very loudly "PLAY THE DOCUMENTARY YOU EVIL WIZARD". If it doesn't work, keep repeating it. If possible, do so in front of others, preferably psychiatrists.

[obscure]

I'm big on DVDs... It's a ritual that I have to do on a regular basis... I'm addicted to gigs.. god bless the DVDs...

[Zydar]

DVD. Always DVD. Don't care much for live CDs at all.

[SystematicThought]

I wouldn't mind something like CiM where there was a special edition that had the DVD and CD set.

I personally like both, but because I am always with an iPod or in a car, I would like the CD better.

[TheGreatPretender]

I wouldn't mind something like CiM where there was a special edition that had the DVD and CD set.

As long as they didn't overcharge an arm and a leg for it. I think if you're going to buy a live DVD, then the DVD + CD set shouldn't be more than $5 more than just the DVD by itself.

[The Letter M]

For those arguing the point that you can just rip the audio straight from the DVDs and use that as a CD-substitute, what about a case like when Dream Theater released both Once In A LIVEtime and Five Years In A LIVEtime, where the track lists were different between the two?

In that instance, if you ripped the audio from FYIALT, it wouldn't be the same as OILAT, so which would you rather have THEN?

More music on 2 CDs, or a video that has some concert footage interlaced with behind-the-scenes stuff/interviews/etc. etc.? I think because of LAB and SCORE, people just expect the band to release a straight live show, so when they release CIM, it was a bit of a shock, but I actually quite enjoy watching the interview-bits between songs. It's an enlightening look into how the band operated on the road. But I'm also glad we got the songs on a 3-CD set so I can listen to the songs without having to pop in the DVD, and even if I *did* just rip the audio, I'd have to edit things out and crossfade the songs to get something that sounds like a coherent concert.

-Marc.

[TheGreatPretender]

For those arguing the point that you can just rip the audio straight from the DVDs and use that as a CD-substitute, what about a case like when Dream Theater released both Once In A LIVEtime and Five Years In A LIVEtime, where the track lists were different between the two?

In that instance, if you ripped the audio from FYIALT, it wouldn't be the same as OILAT, so which would you rather have THEN?

In that case, I wouldn't associate the two. I mean, yes, Once and Five Years have similar titles, but I still wouldn't call them 'counterparts' like one is the DVD version of the other. Obviously it's not.
But sonsidering the nature of Five Years in a Livetime, I'd definitely take that. I mean, all that backstage footage and stuff like that is absolutely awesome. So IF I had to choose, I'd still take the DVD.

[KISS 76]

Both have their place. I really miss looking forward to YtseJam Records releases especially... 

[nikatapi]

I would be equally interested in buying both of them.

Completely agree with wasteland. This is why i liked the dvd+cd edition of Chaos In Motion even though i wept for my money after realizing how bad quality both the sound and the video were.

[Mladen]

DVD. Always DVD. Don't care much for live CDs at all.

[Progmetty]

Yeah I find good music DVDs as beautiful as rainbows.

[TAC]

When the new DT live album is released, I will walk out of the store with BOTH the DVD and CD. I do the same for Iron Maiden.

But when it comes to other bands, I really ask myself, am I more likely to watch or would I simply rather listen. It's different each time.

[ZirconBlue]

I'm going to buy both, but the CD will get a lot more play than the DVD.  And I really like listening to live CD's.  Even if they play a song basically the same as the studio album, the different context and mix will often reveal parts within the music that I never noticed before, giving me a deeper appreciation of the studio version.  And when they rework a song live, I really enjoy the differences. 

[Another_Won]

DVDs. If you want audio, just rip it from the DVD.

Exactly!