You ever wonder why LP dissapeared? NO I Am not refering to the record album we all know that gave way to the CD, I Am refering to the recording format that was in the early built VCRs, The VCRs that were built in the mid-late 80s and very early 90s had 3 recording formats

SP=120 MIN or 2 hours
LP=240 MIN or 4 hours (not auto)
EP=360 MIN or 6 hours.

So what ever happen to LP? after all SP and EP still exsist

SP 2hr and EP 6hr operate on the same servo circuit just by regulating the speed of the motor that drives the tape.
in other words when u change the vcr tape record format from sp to ep your just telling the machine to go from fast to slow,

But the LP 4hr mode uses a totaly diffrent circuit to oparate so it costs more to build the vcr with this mode, so the manufactures decided to eliminate this LP record mode and this would save them money and now they can give you SP-EP-AUTO this is still only 2 formats because the auto only works off the other 2 speeds, you can play back at LP 4hr mode but not record as the playback circuit is not the same as record and can still be used with the other 2 playback modes without the extra expense.

Once again its all about the bottom line MONEY.

Thanks for this info. Funny, because lately I have been trying to find a VCR with LP mode, and can't find them anywhere. I did all my taping (almost 20 years) in LP mode because it was obviously better than SLP and I could get 4 hours rather than just the 2 on SP. It was like living in the gray area. I guess now life is more black and white.

My LP recordings have really held up, too. Even second generation LP looks good. I think I have one VCR left that can record LP, but all of my decks can play the speed. I use mostly JVC and Sony decks these days, so if you're looking to acquire a deck, look into those brands.

Interestingly enough here in the UK we never got anything but SP and LP... there were some attempts to launch EP video recorders but no-one ever bought them. LP format can still be found on EVERY vhs recorder in the UK...

Funny thing is, I have an old vcr with only ep and sp and a new one only about 4 years old with all 3.


Liam

BUMP!

I have one that my son uses. It's not that old, but it has SP, LP, EP and auto.

LP was great for sports tape traders.
It allowed us to put a game on 1 tape in decent quality

Good thing dvd recorders came along but I still went out and bought a used vcr with LP.


Joker

LP was great for sports tape traders.
It allowed us to put a game on 1 tape in decent quality

Good thing dvd recorders came along but I still went out and bought a used vcr with LP.


Joker

That's true. You can usually get a basketball game on 1 tape in SP if you cut out commercials, but you need at least 3 hours for football and baseball. There should have been something in between SP and LP. One problem, of course is not knowing exactly how long a game will last, since it's live. When you tape something you really want to keep, there's nothing more frustrating than coming home and realizing that the tape ran out and you didn't get the whole thing....another good reason for this board.