The End of VHS?

[mattman]

This is not good!!!

The end of VHS!!


http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-vhs-tapes22-2008dec22,0,5852342.story


Whatever happened to the expression,

The Older, The Better.


Guard your VHS and Betamax players with your lives!

Make sure they are not damaged. If they are, fix them or get a new one.

Let's not let the good times fall in the hands of extinction.

[alienhulk2099]

I have to agree with mattman, the VHS is a classic piece o' technology.

[Gorjirus]

VHS?

What is this...VHS?









I'm pretty much the VHS already died, since that was a whole 2 tech generations ago.

[Iris_Cenobite]

What?:cry: Nooooooo! My precious VHS tapes!

This is pure insanity! What about we people who still use this as a means of watching films, because god knows how many movies people like me are waiting on to get a dvd release (I'm lookin' at you uncut Nightmare on Elm Street 5 and Mothra 3)

I demand a vote against such injustice.

[EternalMothra]

I have to start getting my Star Trek Series on DVD. XD

[Iris_Cenobite]

I have to start getting my Star Trek Series on DVD. XD

I know what you mean. All my childhood movies are on VHS, and now I'm practically being forced to purchase them on DVD. I bought the Secret of NIMH once, I never planned on buying it again. But I'm still stumped as to where I'm gonna get a copy of Nightmare on Elm Street 5 uncut.

[Mecha74]

Meh, as long as I can either snag DVD/VHS combo players or buy VHS players online I ain't worried.

[Project Pimp]

I thought this was the end of DVD.

[Godzillakamper]

I thought this was the end of DVD.

Maybe in a year or two:p

Anyway VHS will never go out of style and heres why: old people. As long as there are still people in this world who can't figure out how to use the DVD menu VHS will always be there.

[godofPH]

Maybe in a year or two:p

Anyway VHS will never go out of style and heres why: old people. As long as there are still people in this world who can't figure out how to use the DVD menu VHS will always be there.

Cavemen have been dwindling in numbers, but apparently still exist in some parts of the world.

[Dr. Strangelove]

..who the hell is trying to save this out dated piece of technology? It's not even like 8Tracks, which genuinely sound better than CDs. VHS had horrible picture quality.

Long Live the Digital Revolution!

It shall not be recorded.

[Goji Son]

VHS has been dead for quite sometime. It's called progress.

[Godzillakamper]

VHS has been dead for quite sometime. It's called progress.

not compleatly you can still buy VCRs and VHS's so they're not dead. Mortaly wounded but not dead

[Dr. Strangelove]

not compleatly you can still buy VCRs and VHS's so they're not dead. Mortaly wounded but not dead

Who has the dagger?

[Gorjirus]

What I never figured out, is why DVD Recorders are so expensive. IMO, that is what has kept VHS around as long as it has, the ability to record from the TV to a DVD for a similar price.

[Kaiser Kronos]

Cavemen have been dwindling in numbers, but apparently still exist in some parts of the world.

There's still cavemen left? :mad: I thought I killed all those things that wore skins and were pokin' 'round in the neighborhood the other day! :darklord:

[Godzillakamper]

VHS's also last longer cuz they don't get scratches

[Goji Son]

VHS's also last longer cuz they don't get scratches

Not really, VHS film wears out over time regardless of how many times you watch them. DVDs do scratch but that can be prevented if you actually take care of them and put them in their cases.

I don't really see why people would be upset about this other than for nostalgia's sake. DVDs offer better quality picture and sound, extras, plus you can skip chapters and not have to deal with rewinding and fast forwarding. It may still be around in obscurity but it would just be easier to say that VHS is dead. You can cling on to what you have but it's not going to be used in the future.


Anyway VHS will never go out of style and heres why: old people. As long as there are still people in this world who can't figure out how to use the DVD menu VHS will always be there.

DVD manufacturers and sellers shouldn't be worried about this demographic because old people, while feeble and wanting a simpler life, also have a great likeliness of dying sooner than young people. The ones that fail to evolve and understand the complications of those damned DVDs that won't get off the lawn and cling on to the VHS, as well as their fragile will to live, will soon become extinct. They'll be an example to the next generation of old fogies to learn that in order to not become obsolete and left to die alone then you must at least be within 5 years of the latest technological curve that doesn't involve motorized wheelchairs, joint replacement, and mechanical lungs.

My grandparents are in their 70s and know how to work DVDs and my technologically inept dad at least knows how to get the film started, it's not like old people are beyond the ability to learn the latest in technology.

[Godzillakamper]

but sometimes it gets scratched in the player or in the case

[godofPH]

VHS's also last longer cuz they don't get scratches

See KK? You obviously missed one. ;)

[Goji Son]

but sometimes it gets scratched in the player or in the case

And VHS tape is eaten by the machine especially when the tape is older, these malfunctions happen but it's less likely when people actually take care of their stuff.

[Godzillakamper]

don't get me wrong DVDs are awesome but VHS still has some use

[Project Pimp]

but sometimes it gets scratched in the player or in the case

Scratches can be removed. The plastic layer is there as a buffer for the metallic center, which is where the data is stored. Fail.

[Godzillakamper]

Scratches can be removed. The plastic layer is there as a buffer for the metallic center, which is where the data is stored. Fail.
Yes but that metalic center is easily scratched off from the front of the dvd

[godofPH]

Yes but that metalic center is easily scratched off from the front of the dvd

As this fellow's defense of the VHS format goes on, Jesus rides by on a dinosaur.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/431306643_528c65a6b3.jpg

[Godzillakamper]

As this fellow's defense of the VHS format goes on, Jesus rides by on a dinosaur.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/431306643_528c65a6b3.jpg
really now really that was unessasary. Funny but unnessasary

[BS Digital Q]

As this fellow's defense of the VHS format goes on, Jesus rides by on a dinosaur.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/431306643_528c65a6b3.jpgOooooo, epic ownge.

[Mecha74]

As long as there are still shows and films that have not yet been released on DVD yet let alone Blu-ray there will always be a use for VHS as far as I'm concerned. Enough to stimulate a market, no, but enough to keep the interest of many despite the changing times.

[Enshohma]

As much as I enjoy the Jesus riding a Brontosaur gag, the truth is that although VHS is obsolete, I think it will be with us for a little bit longer.

I say this based on audio tapes; a technology well pass its prime, but is still around, although however few, simply because CD hasn't taken care of all the uses from this ended format. Sure, you can download music from online and by PC, but not every CD burning is made the same and even at discount prices, audio tape players are more universal and capable of a little more options (i.e. record from radio and multiple uses per tape) sadly enough.

VHS is in a similar situation, even if DVD is a much more magnificent technology, even over CDs. However, DVD Recorders, which work better then VCRs and even more unreliable DVD Burners, minus some major set backs (can't re-use the discs more then one, even with most DVD-RW...though it still beats the DVD Burners), they are not a universally built machines. And compared to the popular CD burners, relatively rare too.

I went through five different brands before I found a DVD Recorder that made DVDs that could play on most players, but even then the finished discs can't play on every player and not every disc brand works with players in turn. Hopefully in the future the technology will become more reliable, not to mention cheaper and not so damn rare...but with all this Blue-Ray crap going on (more on that is a second), I fear that this may not be the case, and thus I'll have to hold onto my VCR just in case, weird as that is.

BTW, Panasonic is the only company that's making universally compatible DVD Recorders, and TDK and HP brand DVD-Rs are the best ones to use in turn as well.

As for Blue-Ray...I hope to God, Satan, and all other beings that rule the universe, that this rather pointless excuse for DVD replacements doesn't succeed, and goes the way of Super Bit, the PSP minis, and even that brand that was at odds with Blue-Ray not to long ago!

Why? Because it's so obviously BS, forcing us to re-buy all our DVDs so soon since that wonderful technology came out, AND at higher prices I might add! And if it's such a better technology, why is it similar as far as crappy set ups go.

"Hey idiot kids, buy the two-disc Blue-Ray version of The Dark Knight on Blue-Ray for more money, and still get the messily amount of extras you got on the regular DVD additions!"

And no toy Bat-Pod is going to sweeten it for me either!

I don't like this economy crisis, but if it will keep Blue-Ray from succeeding, then let us all live in makeshift cities of cardboard beneath Tokyo Tower...that's right, that country has a major homeless problems and I referenced it cruelly; that's is how much this Blue-Ray propaganda is getting to me!

Worse, like the backward compatibility that all the major game systems promised, but canceled at the last minute like the con man in Pete's Dragon, Blue-Ray is negating or canceling any plans for their own recording systems, outside pointless **** like Digital Copies...not everyone enjoys watching movies on their PCs, or own a Slave-Pod.

And true, much like DVD has yet to release everything that is on VHS, let alone the television only series that get lost from distribution in either format, I believe Blue-Ray will not be a good format for lesser know titles to be picked up by. The major Hollywood films and network TV shows for sure, but there's obviously much more then just that which in turn can't go to Blue-Ray.

Until that darkly STUPID day comes when the Blue-Ray Nazis break into my house and shoot me for not buying the two-disc Blue-Ray version of The Dark Knight with crummy toy Bat-Pod, I'll grab the widescreen version off of my cable service and place it on a nice TDK DVD-R.

No extras yes, BUT the DVD Recorder has saved me so much money, as well as making longer lasting copies of my vast and older VHS collection. And I'll need it more then ever since I'm currently unemployed and can't afford even regular DVDs to begin with.

There are a lot of stupid people out there (not naming names...though my brothers are among them) however who are in the exact same situation, but insist on the expensive official releases of most movies with worthless amounts of extras (I can understand complete TV seasons sets though). And worse, stupider still to get the Blue-Ray versions as well...with Bat-pod toy.

If anyone has old VHSs, regardless of content, and want a DVD-R copy of which, give me a buzz

[Mecha74]

Give em Hell Ensho!:laugh:

But ironically enough the Blu-ray player I just got for Christmas does infact play regular DVDs.

[Enshohma]

Give em Hell Ensho!:laugh:

But ironically enough the Blu-ray player I just got for Christmas does infact play regular DVDs.

That's good to hear...finally something I can agree on Blue-Ray...but the real question is are all brands work the same, outside the one you got? And more so, for how long?

Whatever the case, thanks for the compliment...I do my best to cover all the factors in any argument.

[Mecha74]

That's good to hear...finally something I can agree on Blue-Ray...but the real question is are all brands work the same, outside the one you got? And more so, for how long?

I guess I'll find out, the whole backwards compatibility issue was the reason I never bothered buying one before.

[Gorgozilla]

This does make me feel old. When my now ex wife and I bought our first VCR in 1983, we were the only ones in our close circle of friends to have one. Many was the time we carried our VCR and tapes to friends' houses to watch movies.

It really freaks me out that DVD is now outmoded. But I'm glad to hear Blu-ray players play regular DVDs also. At least I won't have to replace everything.

[Raptor]

As long as there are still shows and films that have not yet been released on DVD yet let alone Blu-ray there will always be a use for VHS as far as I'm concerned. Enough to stimulate a market, no, but enough to keep the interest of many despite the changing times.Exactly! No telling how many TV shows and made-for-TV movies are only available on someone's VHS tape. BTW, folks still have PHONOGRAPH RECORDS! :O

[Archaic_Avenger]

I dont mind progress when things dont rise drastically in prices with the new waves. When that does happen, the only people really progressing are the companies. Blue Ray and HD-DVD are kinda, you know, freakin' expensive for people like me (ie: borderline poverty), so I'm hoping that the 4-for-$20 bin of DVD's at Blockbuster aren't going out of style for a while.

As for VHS, I'm not going to miss it too much for feature movies, but for recording purposes I see it's lasting value. Then again, with nothing much left on TV (aside from three episodes left of Pushing Daisies, and beyond that I really mean nothing) there's little purpose left in the "record" option on my remote control.

[SuperXAsh]

I wouldn't completely bank on the "probably won't release it onto DVD anytime soon" option, I know I've made that mistake a couple of times already.

Unless it's some ultra-obscure-o movie, (talking Thunder of Gigantic Serpent obscure) a made-for-TV movie from the 80's and 90's, or a foreign film that's also obscure, yeah... chances are that it probably won't be out onto DVD anytime soon.

But even the stuff that I figured wouldn't be put onto DVD, for the longest time, have been put out. Like Class of 1999, Legend of Dinosaurs, (that japanese dinosaur monster movie) Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend (another dinosaur movie, from the 80's), Manitou, Razorback, etc.

Because these people know that there's an audience for even the silliest of movies.

[Project Pimp]

Funny. I picked up Clockwork Orange, Total Recall, Terminator 2, and Road Warrior on Blu-ray for 10 bucks apiece.

Did I mention they look totally badass on my HDTV? And that DVDs don't?

[Gorjirus]

How can Road Warrior and T2 not look badass regardless of the format?

[Project Pimp]

How can Road Warrior and T2 not look badass regardless of the format?

One format is clear and vibrant, the other is dull and pixelated.

In other news, VHS is not quite dead after all. Sure, they won't be making anymore tapes, but for the enthusiasts, Panasonic is coming out with a combo Blu-ray/VHS player, which will upscale DVDs and VHS to 1080p. How about that? Might want to hold on to all the Godzilla dubs that are basically gone forever thanks to Sony.

[Goji Son]

Funny. I picked up Clockwork Orange, Total Recall, Terminator 2, and Road Warrior on Blu-ray for 10 bucks apiece.

Did I mention they look totally badass on my HDTV? And that DVDs don't?

Betamax and laserdisc looked better than VHS.

[Project Pimp]

Betamax and laserdisc looked better than VHS.

Betamax lost the format war to VHS. Laserdisc was unwieldly and made pointless by DVD.

On the other hand, Blu-ray defeated HD-DVD and is now eating into DVD sales, until it will eventually replace DVD altogether. :nod:

Seriously, it's not going away. Unless something else replaces it, be it holographic optical disc or whatever.

[Goji Son]

Betamax lost the format war to VHS. Laserdisc was unwieldly and made pointless by DVD.

That was my point, both were superior to VHS but still never caught on because it didn't really offer anything that much better or practical than VHS. And laserdisc was around and rendered useless long before DVDs came into the scene.


On the other hand, Blu-ray defeated HD-DVD and is now eating into DVD sales, until it will eventually replace DVD altogether. :nod:

Seriously, it's not going away. Unless something else replaces it, be it holographic optical disc or whatever.
It depends on the consumers on which will have the staying power. Right now Blu Ray is seeing a spike due to HD dying and just general buzz but it would be interesting to see how the figures hold up after awhile. Blu Ray does have a leg up on Laserdisc and Betamax due to HDTVs being able to show the picture quality over DVDs but are people going to want to change format again even though DVDs haven't been around for long?

[Solar_Behemoth]

It depends on the consumers on which will have the staying power. Right now Blu Ray is seeing a spike due to HD dying and just general buzz but it would be interesting to see how the figures hold up after awhile. Blu Ray does have a leg up on Laserdisc and Betamax due to HDTVs being able to show the picture quality over DVDs but are people going to want to change format again even though DVDs haven't been around for long?

I highly doubt the majority of the general public cares about this Blu-Ray bullshit. Blu-Ray discs and High Def are expensive consumer fads popularized by anal-retentive loser nerds that care about more disc space and polished image.

So basically I can't wait until I get mine.

[godofPH]

I highly doubt the majority of the general public cares about this Blu-Ray bullshit. Blu-Ray discs and High Def are expensive consumer fads popularized by anal-retentive loser nerds that care about more disc space and polished image.

So basically I can't wait until I get mine.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u190/KamotTom/awesome.jpg

[G2KMaster]

Laserdisc was unwieldly and made pointless by DVD.
7 words for you:

GAMERA 3 LIMITED EDITION LASERDISC BOX SET

Now say what you just said again...

[Zeptron]

I still use VHS tapes.

As paperweights. :p

[Orga777]

Blu-Ray's disk space is actually a very good saving grace. More features can be placed in it, and the picture quality can be enhanced because of it. But that isn't all, it is very scratch resistant. All Blu-Ray disks have a coating that makes it significantly more resistant to scratches and damage in general to the disk. It is like a shield that regular DVD's don't have which hurts the ammount of time it stays around.

[Gorgozilla]

BTW, folks still have PHONOGRAPH RECORDS! :O

Yeah, including me. I still have ~800 vinyl LPs. In a dept. store the other day, I actually saw some new record albums for sale, for prices in the $20-25 range. Looks like the old technology might be making a comeback. (But I don't expect that to happen with VHS.)

[Cyndi]

Maybe in a year or two:p

Anyway VHS will never go out of style and heres why: old people. As long as there are still people in this world who can't figure out how to use the DVD menu VHS will always be there.

There's some old people who can't and won't figure out the VCR. *eyes dad, who can't get off his butt to put a tape in or take it out OR figure out the buttons to make it play, pause, etc.*