Anyone else noticed this? It seems that alot of places are drastically reducing their selection of blank VHS tapes and VCRs...Circuit City, which used to stock a good 10 different brands just a few months ago now only has mega-packs of Sony & RCA, and only 2 models of VCRs now available...another local store, Meijers, which also used to stock several different varieties is now down to Sony & RCA as well, and carries only 3 or 4 different VCR models...I don't know, it just feels like the life and legacy of the VHS VCR is coming to a quick end. It's sad, because so many people are so quick to say how much VHS sucks, DVD is so much better, etc...well, let's face the fact. VHS has served us well for well over 20 years, and I for one don't think it deserves to be ripped off the shelves so abruptly...who's with me??

Amen. We use VHS. It's great for taping tv shows. I hope they don't do away with it or we are in big trouble...

I'm one of those who's quick to say vhs sucks. I have a bunch of movies on vhs that I haven't watched in years because I'm so into dvds and was thinking about either replacing the vhs with the dvd versions or trying to transfer vhs to dvd. I popped in my Running Scared vhs recently (Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines) and the picture quality was horrible. After I've been used to dvd quality picture, I couldn't even watch that vhs. It wasn't a bootleg or anything, that's just typical of vhs quality. Plus each time the tape heads go over a tape it loses more of its quality. You don't have that problem with discs, plus the near future will bring even more afforadble prices for dvd recorders. VHS may have served us well for over 20 years, but in those 20 years, technology has improved and given us a better format.

On their website, Memorex has both audiotape and videotape listed under "discontinued products."
It's only a matter of time before tape goes the way of the vinyl record.

Originally posted by vashti1999
I'm one of those who's quick to say vhs sucks. I have a bunch of movies on vhs that I haven't watched in years because I'm so into dvds and was thinking about either replacing the vhs with the dvd versions or trying to transfer vhs to dvd. I popped in my Running Scared vhs recently (Billy Crystal/Gregory Hines) and the picture quality was horrible. After I've been used to dvd quality picture, I couldn't even watch that vhs. It wasn't a bootleg or anything, that's just typical of vhs quality. Plus each time the tape heads go over a tape it loses more of its quality. You don't have that problem with discs, plus the near future will bring even more afforadble prices for dvd recorders. VHS may have served us well for over 20 years, but in those 20 years, technology has improved and given us a better format.

I feel the same way, cannot wait until I get a DVD burner and copy all my old taped VHS stuff to DVD

Fortunately a select few places, such as HH Greggs, are carrying nicer quality JVC Gold Tapes. I dont use vhs much, but when i record for others I like to use nice stuff. Of course, Ive actually had someone request I use sony tapes - blew my mind.

Im lucky to have several scotch tapes left from the 80's. :)

Well I have to argue that VHS does not look "horrible" in comparison to DVD. True, DVD is really crisp and nice, but VHS just isn't as bad as everyone says. I have seen many a new from the package VHS movie look totally pristine with great sound too (you can't expect this with a cheap Wal-Mart VCR). I know tapes wear out too, but, get real, you'd have to play a tape at least 200 times before it starts to actually break down, and who's going to play anything that much? I am one that's quick to say CDs and DVDs are NOT totally indestructible either. Scratches can deaden sound and video quality, and it's VERY easy to scratch a disc without even trying. You can probably throw a VHS tape at the wall and let it sit on the floor for a week, dust it off and there would probably be nothing wrong with it - you don't have to handle tapes like they're something precious. Also, ever heard of 'laser rot'? Just because there's nothing physically touching the disc in order to play it, doesn't mean it's not getting slowly worn out. Even without scratches, a disc that's been played many times is not going to sound the same as one fresh from the package...so you see, I do sort of get bothered by people who can simply say VHS sucks and then spout off a few easy reasons to back up the claim...video is video people...:o :rolleyes:

Originally posted by bb25
Well I have to argue that VHS does not look "horrible" in comparison to DVD. True, DVD is really crisp and nice, but VHS just isn't as bad as everyone says. I have seen many a new from the package VHS movie look totally pristine with great sound too (you can't expect this with a cheap Wal-Mart VCR). I know tapes wear out too, but, get real, you'd have to play a tape at least 200 times before it starts to actually break down, and who's going to play anything that much? I am one that's quick to say CDs and DVDs are NOT totally indestructible either. Scratches can deaden sound and video quality, and it's VERY easy to scratch a disc without even trying. You can probably throw a VHS tape at the wall and let it sit on the floor for a week, dust it off and there would probably be nothing wrong with it - you don't have to handle tapes like they're something precious. Also, ever heard of 'laser rot'? Just because there's nothing physically touching the disc in order to play it, doesn't mean it's not getting slowly worn out. Even without scratches, a disc that's been played many times is not going to sound the same as one fresh from the package...so you see, I do sort of get bothered by people who can simply say VHS sucks and then spout off a few easy reasons to back up the claim...video is video people...:o :rolleyes:

I totally agree with you. I'm a VHS person myself. The trading scene has kind of gone downhill for me because almost everybody wants DVDs. They won't accept VHS trades like they used to.

Originally posted by bb25
Well I have to argue that VHS does not look "horrible" in comparison to DVD. True, DVD is really crisp and nice, but VHS just isn't as bad as everyone says. I have seen many a new from the package VHS movie look totally pristine with great sound too (you can't expect this with a cheap Wal-Mart VCR). I know tapes wear out too, but, get real, you'd have to play a tape at least 200 times before it starts to actually break down, and who's going to play anything that much? I am one that's quick to say CDs and DVDs are NOT totally indestructible either. Scratches can deaden sound and video quality, and it's VERY easy to scratch a disc without even trying. You can probably throw a VHS tape at the wall and let it sit on the floor for a week, dust it off and there would probably be nothing wrong with it - you don't have to handle tapes like they're something precious. Also, ever heard of 'laser rot'? Just because there's nothing physically touching the disc in order to play it, doesn't mean it's not getting slowly worn out. Even without scratches, a disc that's been played many times is not going to sound the same as one fresh from the package...so you see, I do sort of get bothered by people who can simply say VHS sucks and then spout off a few easy reasons to back up the claim...video is video people...:o :rolleyes:

Argue all you want, when I said the vhs picture quality was horrible, I was talking about my situation, if vhs is satisfactory for you, congratulations, I guess you have something that works for you. I never said cds and dvds are indestructible, but I did say technology has improved since vhs became popular and dvd is a better format. You can have affection for one format and realize that it has limitations that another format doesn't have, can't you? It seems like the only reason you're defending vhs is because it's been around for 20 years. I like dvds sound and picture quality over vhs, I like its compact size, especially with television series, you'd have a few discs as opposed to a higher number of vhs tapes for the same amount of programs, I like that you can watch dvds on a laptop with a dvd drive or on a portable dvd player, I like being able to skip back and forth from scene to scene with dvds over fast-forwarding and rewinding a tape. Do you need more reasons? As for "spouting off a few easy reasons to back up the claim", looks like you're doing the same thing (throw a VHS tape at the wall:confused: ). I have to play my vhs 200 times (at least) before it breaks down, but a disc I've played "many" times won't sound the same as one fresh out the package? Uh, okay, if you say so. We agree to disagree then. Be happy with what works for you then, I'm happy with what works for me.

All I can say is that if they are going to decrease the amount of VHS tapes available as they start to discontinue them then they better drastically drop the prices of DVD Recorders. I'd love LOVE to have one but in a life where I can barely pay the rent I can't afford one and have to deal with VHS tapes. I'd rather have DVD but there are a lot of things I'd rather have.

They better keep making tapes for us poor folk.

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
All I can say is that if they are going to decrease the amount of VHS tapes available as they start to discontinue them then they better drastically drop the prices of DVD Recorders. I'd love LOVE to have one but in a life where I can barely pay the rent I can't afford one and have to deal with VHS tapes. I'd rather have DVD but there are a lot of things I'd rather have.

They better keep making tapes for us poor folk.
I totally agree with you.

Originally posted by mr roper

I totally agree with you.


Thanks.

I think many of us do realize that DVD's are better quality in the long run and a better investment but when you can't invest in a DVD recorder your stuck with what you can use. So I be stuck. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Nanny Fine
All I can say is that if they are going to decrease the amount of VHS tapes available as they start to discontinue them then they better drastically drop the prices of DVD Recorders. I'd love LOVE to have one but in a life where I can barely pay the rent I can't afford one and have to deal with VHS tapes. I'd rather have DVD but there are a lot of things I'd rather have.

They better keep making tapes for us poor folk.

:nod: I would really like to have one too. I wish there were places where they rented out DVD recorders, so I could transfer all my stuff over to DVD. *sigh*

I never said VHS doesn't have limitations, and I never said DVD isn't totally convenient and space-saving. I totally agree with you about those facts. And no, I'm not arguing in favor of VHS just because of it's age - in fact, I've only heavily started using VHS in the past 2 years. When DVD goes out, are you totally going to diss it like VHS now? In 15-20 years, are you going to say DVD sucks? Anyway, before this blows up more, you're right...we'll agree to disagree...

Originally posted by bb25
I never said VHS doesn't have limitations, and I never said DVD isn't totally convenient and space-saving. I totally agree with you about those facts. And no, I'm not arguing in favor of VHS just because of it's age - in fact, I've only heavily started using VHS in the past 2 years. When DVD goes out, are you totally going to diss it like VHS now? In 15-20 years, are you going to say DVD sucks? Anyway, before this blows up more, you're right...we'll agree to disagree...
By the time I transfer all my vhs to dvd's the dvd will be extinct.

I would love to have a dvd recorder but can't afford one :( so I am stuck with VHS & a dvd that plays only. Having dvd recorders to rent is a great idea... :)

I was never someone who bought pre-recorded movies on VHS some 10 years ago. I always taped my movies off cable in SLP and then just stuck them on my shelf. I have been doing this for about 14 years and I have around 1200 films. I have occasionally rewatched some older ones from the early days of taping, and they have lost some clarity, but not that much to even care. Most of the movies I have were only watched once. I dont remember what many of them are about now, though I always kept a synopsis from the cable magazine on all the films (scotch taped to the box). A few years ago , people were saying "record in SP or it will deteriorate". Before the picture on VHS has deteriorated, it has now become obsolete. I'm sure in the future , discs will become smaller with more data able to be stored on them , DVDs of today will become obsolete themselves, but I'm not worried about that.

Even if you have tons of DVD movies , how many times can you re-watch a film? Even great movies I that I enjoy, I have only watched once or twice. Unless I'm watching it with someone else who hasn't seen it, I just don't have time for it. I don't even have time to watch most of the shows that I trade for.

I still wont buy movies on DVD (except Star Wars) but I have started collecting some TV series sets. I plan on continuing to record with VHS for some years to come, since I'm not going to throw out what I have accumulated and start fresh. If I get a DVD recorder in a few years, I'll start taping off tv with it and keep my VCR for watching stuff already on tape. Maybe in 5 years if the prices are low enough.

Paul

I won't list the facts here for it probably will start something. Thus if anyone is interested email me and i can list quality, advantages, disadvantages of both vhs and dvd and pal vhs, i'm not to familiar with beta or laserdisc enough to list facts.

Although my business didn't start til '99 {when started building up} bus start in 2000 i have experience in that field since 1983

Or if you want to chat for those who is interested we'll set date/time and meet at the cartoon perservation soceity 2 chat room


secretdefender@sifen7.com

Yeah, theres nothing really wrong with VHS. A lot of folks have switched to something else just as a space saver. I can look at some very old tapes, and yes they seem to have deteriorated a bit, but mainly, Im playing them on a different vcr than they were originally recorded on, and its just handling them differently.

I made a copy of some tapes as a gift from my friend, and she told me the quality was horrible. My mind was blown -- Id watched them myself and they were great for what they were, a sp to slp dub, clarity of a 9, just as expected. Then came the day she recorded an ep of happy days for me, from the hallmark channel, since i didnt have it. Nothing but tracking problems and white lines and jumping. Her vcr does tapes that way, i guess it doesnt play that way for her when its recorded from her deck. I didnt bother telling her, since i wasnt sure shed understand.

I think that is one of the biggest barriers - i always try to tell people, Ive checked them on 2 or 3 different decks, but i cannot guarantee how they will play on yours. Machine probs are probably the bigger issue.