MovieChat Forums > Practical Magic (1998) Discussion > Bought a Screening Copy of Practical Mag...

Bought a Screening Copy of Practical Magic, what is a Screening Copy ?

posted 11 years ago by karjolasmask
1 reply | jump to latest

Today I bought a VHS tape of the 1998 Practical Magic at a used video store.

I Recorded over my girls friends copy of it years ago with TV and forgot that I did it. Recently she wanted to watch it. I found the tape and I discovered that TV was on it. I told her and she was disappointed. I told her that I would find another copy. Yesterday I went to 6 places searching for Practical Magic.
4 pawn shops, a Salvation Army and a Goodwille.

I went to a used video store in Vancouver Washington today and found it on VHS but when I took it put of the cover, it didn't say "Practical Magic" it said,"Screening Copy" "For Trade use Only, Not for Sale, Rental or Public Exhibition"

So, what is a screening copy ? I put it in the VCR when I got home and it was the movie. Is there a difference between this Screening Copy and the one that is on DVD ?

Do any of you know ?

[–] MadSimian 10 years ago

I don't know if you are still wondering(or have since found out) but a screening copy is when a video store got a copy of the movie to "preview" before they actually decide to purchase proper copies when the movie is later officially released on home video. It also (usually) only contains the movie itself(no trailers, extras, etcetera) and is of a somewhat lesser quality than the professionally-produced copies made later.

I have no idea whether or not it's the same movie that is on the DVD.

What choice do I have? It is as if you have grabbed me by the base of my snarglies!