Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots ... Rocks!

[stljohnny]

I recently had an opportunity to get a new pool dvd. it was between one of the VEPS and the Mastering Pool (with Mika) series... it was a really tough decision actually, but in the end i decided to go with disc 3 of mastering pool. After watching it a few times, as good as it is, I wish I had gotten one of the VEPS instead. Based on the sample videos I watched of both, I was hoping there's be more info in the other one - but that's not the case it seems. The MP disc was informative, absolutely, but it seemed like the information was being rushed through. The sample vids I've seen of your dvds seem to flow a little smoother with the info and examples. I will be picking up all of yours at various points in the future.

 

[dr_dave]

I recently had an opportunity to get a new pool dvd. it was between one of the VEPS and the Mastering Pool (with Mika) series... it was a really tough decision actually, but in the end i decided to go with disc 3 of mastering pool. After watching it a few times, as good as it is, I wish I had gotten one of the VEPS instead. Based on the sample videos I watched of both, I was hoping there's be more info in the other one - but that's not the case it seems. The MP disc was informative, absolutely, but it seemed like the information was being rushed through. The sample vids I've seen of your dvds seem to flow a little smoother with the info and examples. I will be picking up all of yours at various points in the future.

You chose Mica over me and Tom??? Shame on you.

.. just kidding. :grin:

Regards,
Dave

 

[JCurry]

The VEPS DVD's are great. I just ordered III - V over the weekend after watching I and II multiple times. These are a great addition to any billiard DVD and book collection you might have. Like with anything, it's not enough to just watch them though. You need to go practice the shots for it to sink in.

Personally, I think the 30-degree rule is one of the most important 'gems' on disk 1.

 

[JCurry]

The MP disc was informative, absolutely, but it seemed like the information was being rushed through.

The MP DVD's are good for beginner to intermediate level players and the quality is superb. I have those as well, but they cover probably about 5% of what is in the VEPS DVD's. If you think that the info in MP was rushed your head is going to explode watching VEPS.

 

[dr_dave]

The MP DVD's are good for beginner to intermediate level players and the quality is superb. I have those as well, but they cover probably about 5% of what is in the VEPS DVD's. If you think that the info in MP was rushed your head is going to explode watching VEPS.

I was a little worried at first about how much info and video we include on each DVD, but it seems like most people like it this way. At the beginning of Disc I, we encourage viewers to use the pause and rewind buttons. I think that is important advice. It's also better to watch each disc in chunks (e.g., one section at a time). That way, you can absorb the information, and practice the shots, before moving on.

Thanks for the nice comments about our stuff. I'm glad you like what you see so far.

Regards,
Dave

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

Dr. Dave,

Do any of the DVDs discuss the Diamond System? If not, that would be a fantastic topic to cover.

Allen

 

[dr_dave]

Dr. Dave,

Do any of the DVDs discuss the Diamond System? If not, that would be a fantastic topic to cover.

Allen

We cover many kick and bank diamond systems, including the Corner-5 and Plus-2 systems, on Disc IV. I've been working on this the last few weeks, and I think people will like it. We not only cover the basic systems, but show how and when the systems don't work, along how to make corrections.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Ordered my set

Based on all of the positive feedback on this thread I ordered my set, disks I, II, III, yesterday.

This better work, Dr. Dave, I'm running out of options...

KC

 

[stljohnny]

The MP DVD's are good for beginner to intermediate level players and the quality is superb. I have those as well, but they cover probably about 5% of what is in the VEPS DVD's. If you think that the info in MP was rushed your head is going to explode watching VEPS.

It's not that I felt they were going too quickly, but it seemed, to me, that they were only doing it because they had to and not really giving it serious attention. Rushing through it to finish it, I guess, is the feeling I got from it.

I've watched nearly all of the sample vids from the VEPS and I like the format. Not too much flubber, straight and to the point, multiple examples (when applicable). Although I have to say the diamond graphic with the windows 95 default sound will probably get on my nerves, sorry dave. The same 'bumper' between sections on the MP disc annoyed me too. I'm just easily annoyed I guess. heh

 

[Tak81]

How does the VEPS compare with Dr. Dave's book, "Illustrated Principles of Pool" ? Does it cover basically everything in that book, or is it meant as an additional supplement?

I've been looking at both of these and was wondering if anyone that has both would chime in

 

[Jal]

How does the VEPS compare with Dr. Dave's book, "Illustrated Principles of Pool" ? Does it cover basically everything in that book, or is it meant as an additional supplement?

I've been looking at both of these and was wondering if anyone that has both would chime in

I have both (Discs I, II and III of the DVD's) and I hope I can offer a fair, if brief, comparison. The DVD's are not a "re-hash" of the book in video format, although there is fair amount of common material. (There's only one 90-degree rule, for instance.) But while the DVD's cover the fundamental concepts at the beginning of each major topic, they don't linger there and proceed, without further ado, to demonstrate a variety of applications and variations. Many, if not most of them, in my estimation, are things of beauty to watch.

Being a joint effort of Dr. Dave and Tom Ross, Mr. Ross, of course, had input himself. While several of the shots Dr. Dave executes are nothing to sneeze at, I don't think he'll mind me saying that his partner looks as if he was born with a cue in his hand. He has the look of a well-seasoned pro (reminds me of Irving Crane in many ways) and performs so many of the shots with such precision and apparent effortlessness, that you'd have to be devoid of any aesthetic sense of the game to not be inspired.

Despite having the book in front of me, and having viewed the first two discs four times each, and the third once (soon to be followed by several more), I can't really give you a more detailed topic by topic comparison. It's been awhile since I've read the book cover-to-cover and thumbing through just isn't doing it. Dr. Dave can obviously provide a better overview if he choses. Both are great ways to educate oneself, but different experiences.

In a broad way, I felt the videos lay out a practice regime which I would actually enjoy doing, if I had a home table. Not only because of the shots themselves (and Tom's shooting in particular), but the organization, graphics, and narration which accompanies them. In fact, I believe I'd enjoy it more than my usual recreational play, in that I'd be learning something that would stick. (I have probably executed most of the shot/positioning routes with greater or lesser success over the years, but the DVD's seem to provide many details which I should have paid attention to, but didn't.)

Don't know if that helps.

Jim

 

[Tak81]

Hey Jim, that was an amazing review! Thanks for that! I think I'm a bit more of a visual person after having purchased a few DVDs, so I think I would definitely lean towards the VEPS as long as I'm not missing too much content from the book

 

[dr_dave]

Based on all of the positive feedback on this thread I ordered my set, disks I, II, III, yesterday.

This better work, Dr. Dave, I'm running out of options...

I promise VEPS will work ... as long as you practice what your watch!

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

I've watched nearly all of the sample vids from the VEPS and I like the format. Not too much flubber, straight and to the point, multiple examples (when applicable). Although I have to say the diamond graphic with the windows 95 default sound will probably get on my nerves, sorry dave.

I hope you grow to like the "Tah Da!!!" sound. I love it. Don't worry, it doesn't announce every shot section, only those designated as "GEM." Just remember to pay attention when you do hear the sound, because you won't want to miss what follows.

Regards,
Dave

PS: "Tah Da!!!" :grin:

 

[dr_dave]

Jal,

Thank you for your excellent answer to Tak81's questions. Again, I very much appreciate all of the positive things you have written about VEPS. I know people respect your opinion, as do I. I see no reason to add anything, other than the table of contents of the book and VEPS, along with the complete lists of shots from Discs I-III:

book TOC
VEPS TOC
VEPS-I shot list
VEPS-II shot list
VEPS-III shot list​

As you point out, there is some overlap in principles, but the book and VEPS "experiences" are radically different.

Regards,
Dave

How does the VEPS compare with Dr. Dave's book, "Illustrated Principles of Pool" ? Does it cover basically everything in that book, or is it meant as an additional supplement?I've been looking at both of these and was wondering if anyone that has both would chime in I have both (Discs I, II and III of the DVD's) and I hope I can offer a fair, if brief, comparison.

The DVD's are not a "re-hash" of the book in video format, although there is fair amount of common material. (There's only one 90-degree rule, for instance.) But while the DVD's cover the fundamental concepts at the beginning of each major topic, they don't linger there and proceed, without further ado, to demonstrate a variety of applications and variations. Many, if not most of them, in my estimation, are things of beauty to watch.

Being a joint effort of Dr. Dave and Tom Ross, Mr. Ross, of course, had input himself. While several of the shots Dr. Dave executes are nothing to sneeze at, I don't think he'll mind me saying that his partner looks as if he was born with a cue in his hand. He has the look of a well-seasoned pro (reminds me of Irving Crane in many ways) and performs so many of the shots with such precision and apparent effortlessness, that you'd have to be devoid of any aesthetic sense of the game to not be inspired.

Despite having the book in front of me, and having viewed the first two discs four times each, and the third once (soon to be followed by several more), I can't really give you a more detailed topic by topic comparison. It's been awhile since I've read the book cover-to-cover and thumbing through just isn't doing it. Dr. Dave can obviously provide a better overview if he choses. Both are great ways to educate oneself, but different experiences.

In a broad way, I felt the videos lay out a practice regime which I would actually enjoy doing, if I had a home table. Not only because of the shots themselves (and Tom's shooting in particular), but the organization, graphics, and narration which accompanies them. In fact, I believe I'd enjoy it more than my usual recreational play, in that I'd be learning something that would stick. (I have probably executed most of the shot/positioning routes with greater or lesser success over the years, but the DVD's seem to provide many details which I should have paid attention to, but didn't.)

Don't know if that helps.

Jim

 

[stljohnny]

PS: "Tah Da!!!" :grin:

LOL! It won't keep me from buying them - but in 3 years when I show them to someone else, I'll have to preface it with "now, keep in mind these were made in 1996, right after Win 95 came out and took the world by storm with the TA-DA.wav file."

 

[dr_dave]

LOL! It won't keep me from buying them - but in 3 years when I show them to someone else, I'll have to preface it with "now, keep in mind these were made in 1996, right after Win 95 came out and took the world by storm with the TA-DA.wav file."

Fair enough. :embarrassed2:

Tah Da!!!

Dave

 

[Tak81]

So does the VEPS actually cover how to aim using english? Does it go more into detail apart from the back hand english method?

 

[dr_dave]

So does the VEPS actually cover how to aim using english?

Yes and no. There is no single and simple method that will work with every type of shot.

Does it go more into detail apart from the back hand english method?

Yes. Disc II covers BHE and FHE (and when they do and don't apply), and discusses and illustrates all of the important effects (speed, distance, cue elevation, draw vs. follow). To be able to aim with English, on all types of shots, you must have a solid understanding of all of the effects and how they vary. Disc II covers squirt and swerve, and Disc IV covers throw (the basics of which are also presented briefly in Disc I).

Regards,
Dave

PS: FYI, I also have lots of info and resources dealing with this topic on my website here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/aiming.html#compensation​

 

[Tak81]

Thanks a lot for the info Dave! I'm looking forward to buying VEPS, but my wife says I can't buy it because she would otherwise have no birthday present to buy me.

I'll hopefully be placing an order within a few months :thumbup: