h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Maybe you can give him a new DVD for his birthday - wrap the case, but just put a birthday card inside (perhaps a blank/old CD with a picture glued to one side and a message written on the other?) and then play the actual DVD at the event?

Yeh, and they might be bleeps and not play it because they consider it violating copyright or some such.

Good point...

Maybe I could bring a few backup copies, and one original disc that can be easily replaced if Something Should Happen or it's Lost In The Shuffle. Some of our stuff is hard to find, and 2/3 of the collection is on video, backed up to DVD.

It meaning backup tapes.

That's not such a bad idea, either, Mala.

It was more the "copyright violation" thing. Though truth be told, most DVDs and videos come with a warning that public showing technically violates copyright, so surely bringing in a spare copy of something I don't want to lose isn't any greater of a sin?

You are gonna have so much fun! Too bad I don't live closer to Chicago.

But a private party isn't a public showing, not if you don't take money and limit the guest list...

Meaning, if I'm showing my own movie free of charge at what amounts to a private party, I'm not violating copyright- and viewing a backup copy privately is legal under Fair Use thingies.

*snap, Mala!

I'm thinking we might invite somewhere around a dozen or two dozen people.

I know, JEllen- you'd be on the guest list then.

Anyone from hootoo who plans to be in Chicago the last week of July is, of course, invited!

Oh, gawd- and just to show that I'm not entirely unselfish, look what's happening on MY birthday, at our other favorite theater:

http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/scifispectacular.html

I'll bet their projector can take input from a camcorder (or borrowed laptop). I can't think of any plausible reasons why they shouldn't allow backup DVDs either. So long as the DVD isn't covered with jam.

That brings new meaning to the phrase, "That's a jammin' DVD."

Then what I'll do is bring backup copies of a couple (2 or 3 options) in case something doesn't work, and one original DVD in my purse Just In Case.

We've received some Netflix that appeared to be smothered in jam, but a little vinegar spritz does the trick.

What a brilliant idea!

It's definitely go- I just need to call the theater owner and book the date. I'm leaning toward springing for the concessions myself, though the people I've asked for feedback (including you lot) have been equally for either option.

I'd be a bit wary of playing anything from VHS on DVD on a big screen pc. I think the picture quality might be rubbish and you wouldn't be able to take advantage of any surround sound options available you'd get on a new version. Sorry for sounding like a party pooper, I've found electronics to do what you think they will in inverse proportion to how important the event is.
I'd be absolutely over the moon if someone did this for me.

Have you decided on a picture yet?

Well, you make a good pint a_a_e, about using VHS-to-DVD transfers on a big screen- and you're likely correct.

No idea what to play. If I'm to choose only from original (not-backed-up) DVDs that are among K's favorites, I can narrow it down to a dozen or so:

"Carnival of Souls"
"Dementia 13"
"Spider Baby"
"Fantastic Planet"
"Cleopatra Jones"
"Incubus"
"Death Race 2000"
"Marat/Sade"
"Putney Swope"
"Performace"
"The Loved One"
"Shock Corridor"
"Jubilee"
"Fear of a Black Hat"

You must have billions including the vhs: that's a well obscure list.

I find something perversly right about hiring a whole picture house to show death race 2000. and something perversely wrong about the same for Marat/Sade... what kind of message are you trying to give to the guests?

Death Race 2000! Gotta be!