View Full Version : This whole DVD/VHS thing...


Nanny Fine
01-18-2004, 01:32 PM
I'm so frustrated.

I had someone email me this morning about wanting some of the shows I have. I emailed back to tell him I was a bit behind from being so sick earlier this month but hopefully towards the end of January I'll be close to caught up.

They then emailed me back to TELL me they ONLY wanted this stuff on DVD and that I should not waste their time with VHS. First of all, THEY contacted ME about stuff I had they want, not the other way around. Second, not everyone in the free world has a DVD recorder or the ability to buy one :( I'm a struggling single parent and when it's all I can do to just pay the bills buying a DVD recorder just isn't in the budget for me right now. That doesn't mean I don't deserve to do trades, etc just because I only have tapes. I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a DVD Recorder but until things in my life drastically improve I'm trapped in the VHS cycle.

I know that DVD's are better in a variety of ways but not everyone can do DVD right now. I wish people could understand that and I'm thankful there are still people out there who want VHS.

Agent 13
01-18-2004, 02:34 PM
Nanny,

I rarely ever initiate trades anymore because I have plenty to deal with as it is so it's obvious when people contact me that they have already viewed my have listing. Occasionally I end up with discussions that end up like this, and what goes through my mind is that that person just does not like to be turned down so they turn the tables completely, like this guy did to you (better to be the dumper than the dumpee). :rolleyes:

There are plenty of people that only trade VHS, so I certainly wouldn't worry about it. This guy apparently has a problem, and from what I've seen, most DVD traders state it as such directly on their websites, so what's his problem? It was silly to just assume that you had DVDs.

Not only that, but as far as I'm concerned, trading VHS in SP is just as good as trading DVDs, so don't let someone like this bother you.

Get well!

The TV Show Guy
01-18-2004, 03:29 PM
Yeah I hear ya Nanny Fine. Some traders annoy me when they only want stuff on DVD. I mean not everybody has a DVD recorder because they are a bit pricey. I don't have a problem with VHS. :wave:

DetectiveGriffin
01-19-2004, 10:00 AM
LOL, this person sounds so superior. :)

We should all spend our money putting tv broadcasts on dvd.
Honestly! If this is a quality thing for him, then he should know the quality can't get better than the broadcast, which is no where near dvd quality. He must want to squeeze 4 hours worth of crud onto a disc. This is why a lot of us do vcds -- the dvd people tend to snicker, but dvd is overkill for off air collecting.

Maybe you could have a quiz on your site that asks if potential traders know what a VHS tape is. That might cut the harassment a tad. :)

sgm1970
01-19-2004, 12:30 PM
Hi,
Just wanted to add my thoughts...
I have a dvd recorder. I love it, I have so many vhs on shelves, in boxes, etc, that the main reason I got the recorder was just to compress my current library. I've sent many people dvds in exchange for vhs. If I really need the show on dvd, I can take the cassettes they send and put them onto dvd myself.
Yes, it's very rude of people to expect dvd. It takes a long time to convert something to dvd, even with the set top recorders. I usually trade 1 SP mode vhs for 1 dvd, unless it's a dvd containing 6 hours of programming, then I negotiate. But up until a few months ago, I could only trade in vhs myself, and I don't stick my nose up at people who can't afford one, or simply don't have the extra time to make dvds.

Have fun! A rare show is just as much fun on tape as dvd! It's about the shows not the format.

BTW- I am a video industry employee, and I can tell you in all the trade magazines there are stories about how tv series on dvd are the best selling item right now. The studios are all dusting off their old shows because they know people will buy them. I was gonna put my Scooby Doo & Flintstones onto dvd, and I'm glad I didn't because they are going to be releasing full 1st season sets of both in March. Personally, if someone gives you a hard time about not having dvds to trade, just tell them, why don't you wait till they release it and buy a copy on dvd? ;)

my 2 cents

Martin.:wave:
sgm1970@hotmail.com

vhshunter
01-19-2004, 08:11 PM
Originally posted by DetectiveGriffin
LOL, this person sounds so superior. :)

We should all spend our money putting tv broadcasts on dvd.
Honestly! If this is a quality thing for him, then he should know the quality can't get better than the broadcast, which is no where near dvd quality. He must want to squeeze 4 hours worth of crud onto a disc. This is why a lot of us do vcds -- the dvd people tend to snicker, but dvd is overkill for off air collecting.

Maybe you could have a quiz on your site that asks if potential traders know what a VHS tape is. That might cut the harassment a tad. :)

For me it`s not a quality issue, vhs or audio cassette`s won`t last. I can`t tell you how many vhs I have had tear up on me. I have 2 audio cassette players that won`t work. They tear up every tape I put in them.

dawsongirl
01-19-2004, 11:04 PM
Originally posted by Nanny Fine
I'm so frustrated.

I had someone email me this morning about wanting some of the shows I have. I emailed back to tell him I was a bit behind from being so sick earlier this month but hopefully towards the end of January I'll be close to caught up.

They then emailed me back to TELL me they ONLY wanted this stuff on DVD and that I should not waste their time with VHS. First of all, THEY contacted ME about stuff I had they want, not the other way around. Second, not everyone in the free world has a DVD recorder or the ability to buy one :( I'm a struggling single parent and when it's all I can do to just pay the bills buying a DVD recorder just isn't in the budget for me right now. That doesn't mean I don't deserve to do trades, etc just because I only have tapes. I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a DVD Recorder but until things in my life drastically improve I'm trapped in the VHS cycle.

I know that DVD's are better in a variety of ways but not everyone can do DVD right now. I wish people could understand that and I'm thankful there are still people out there who want VHS.

Good God...if they're that insistant, tell them to put it on DVD themselves. And if they don't have a DVDR...then they shouldn't complain. Some people. :rolleyes:

dawsongirl
01-19-2004, 11:09 PM
Originally posted by sgm1970
Hi,
Just wanted to add my thoughts...
I have a dvd recorder. I love it, I have so many vhs on shelves, in boxes, etc, that the main reason I got the recorder was just to compress my current library. I've sent many people dvds in exchange for vhs. If I really need the show on dvd, I can take the cassettes they send and put them onto dvd myself.
Yes, it's very rude of people to expect dvd. It takes a long time to convert something to dvd, even with the set top recorders. I usually trade 1 SP mode vhs for 1 dvd, unless it's a dvd containing 6 hours of programming, then I negotiate. But up until a few months ago, I could only trade in vhs myself, and I don't stick my nose up at people who can't afford one, or simply don't have the extra time to make dvds.


I have a DVDR too, but I don't really trade DVDs. One because I don't expect one back. Two because blank DVDs are expensive and I'd want more out of you than you're getting out of me just for the cost.

Brian
01-19-2004, 11:41 PM
I'm sticking with VHS for now. It's simpler, it's easy, and it doesn't take too long. If I'm going to get shows on DVD, it'll be from one that I could buy at Best Buy or Amazon.com, not ones that can be manufactured at home.

jennymae
01-20-2004, 11:52 AM
anyone have MF or Carol Burnett show vhs tapes for sale would like to get all of MF and the movie Eunice . e-mail me at virgobabe38@yahoo.com thanks

vashti1999
01-20-2004, 12:09 PM
Originally posted by Brian
I'm sticking with VHS for now. It's simpler, it's easy, and it doesn't take too long. If I'm going to get shows on DVD, it'll be from one that I could buy at Best Buy or Amazon.com, not ones that can be manufactured at home.

As someone who uses both a vcr and dvd recorder, I don't think it's necessarily true that using vhs is significantly easier than dvd recording. The recorder I use makes taping just as simple as if I were using a vcr.

sgm1970
01-20-2004, 01:32 PM
Originally posted by vashti1999
As someone who uses both a vcr and dvd recorder, I don't think it's necessarily true that using vhs is significantly easier than dvd recording. The recorder I use makes taping just as simple as if I were using a vcr.

Yes, my dvd recorder is pretty easy to use as well, as far as making unedited, menu free recordings, but if you want to edit out commercials and make menus, etc, it takes time to do that.
Also, before I commit to putting a show onto dvd, I go to tvshowsondvd.com and see if it's going to be released. I'd rather work a few extra hours of overtime at my job & pick up a commercial set, than spend 30-40 hours recording and editing a show. (I have done that, though :)- If it's a show I just gotta have on dvd!)

Have fun!
Martin. :wave:
sgm1970@hotmail.com

vashti1999
01-20-2004, 03:41 PM
Originally posted by sgm1970
Yes, my dvd recorder is pretty easy to use as well, as far as making unedited, menu free recordings, but if you want to edit out commercials and make menus, etc, it takes time to do that.
Also, before I commit to putting a show onto dvd, I go to tvshowsondvd.com and see if it's going to be released. I'd rather work a few extra hours of overtime at my job & pick up a commercial set, than spend 30-40 hours recording and editing a show. (I have done that, though :)- If it's a show I just gotta have on dvd!)

Have fun!
Martin. :wave:
sgm1970@hotmail.com

I agree with you, the time spent on editing commercials, etc does take time. My interest also is having my favorite series on dvd and I've done that with A Different World. Seeing as how there's been no mention of ADW being released on dvd in the near future and my favorite episodes are after the first season (which would likely be released first), I figured I might be waiting a while, so why not create my own dvd collection. Part of the fun of it for me is laying out plans, in terms of episodes per disc, discs per season, etc. I'm not going to knock vhs (anymore) but I'm just saying dvd is my format of choice.

dawsongirl
01-21-2004, 04:14 AM
Originally posted by sgm1970
Yes, my dvd recorder is pretty easy to use as well, as far as making unedited, menu free recordings, but if you want to edit out commercials and make menus, etc, it takes time to do that.
Also, before I commit to putting a show onto dvd, I go to tvshowsondvd.com and see if it's going to be released. I'd rather work a few extra hours of overtime at my job & pick up a commercial set, than spend 30-40 hours recording and editing a show. (I have done that, though :)- If it's a show I just gotta have on dvd!)

Have fun!
Martin. :wave:
sgm1970@hotmail.com

Mine makes menus automatically. And editing commercials is simply pressing pause.

tommydee316
01-23-2004, 01:29 PM
god ,it is graet to hair someone eles like me i am also a singel payment and one reson i got in to tape tradeing is i thout it be a chep hoppie but when eveyone only wanting dvdr it makes it hard to trade for what i want also i giving up most my cable cues thats geting to mucth too now

vashti1999
01-23-2004, 02:32 PM
Originally posted by tommydee316
god ,it is graet to hair someone eles like me i am also a singel payment and one reson i got in to tape tradeing is i thout it be a chep hoppie but when eveyone only wanting dvdr it makes it hard to trade for what i want also i giving up most my cable cues thats geting to mucth too now

May I suggest a spellchecker?

jennymae
01-23-2004, 03:51 PM
lol

Agent 13
01-23-2004, 04:00 PM
Originally posted by vashti1999
May I suggest a spellchecker?

You know, I was born with a good spelling mind, believe it or not. It's like it was in my genes. Without studying, I'd win spelling bees all the time. I never understood how someone couldn't spell properly. I mean, like "What is so hard about it?!"

Well, since I hit 40, my spelling skills have gone waaaaaaaay down. I don't like it one bit, but it has caused me to be more understanding about those that don't spell properly.

The sad thing about being a bad speller is that you don't realize it. Also, I've found that when a word is really badly misspelled, the spell checker on Hotmail doesn't help much. :(

vashti1999
01-23-2004, 04:52 PM
Originally posted by Agent 13
You know, I was born with a good spelling mind, believe it or not. It's like it was in my genes. Without studying, I'd win spelling bees all the time. I never understood how someone couldn't spell properly. I mean, like "What is so hard about it?!"

Well, since I hit 40, my spelling skills have gone waaaaaaaay down. I don't like it one bit, but it has caused me to be more understanding about those that don't spell properly.

The sad thing about being a bad speller is that you don't realize it. Also, I've found that when a word is really badly misspelled, the spell checker on Hotmail doesn't help much. :(

I did mean that jokingly. Just in case anyone think I was being a smart aleck. I'm still in that mode you mentioned (I never understood how someone couldn't spell properly. I mean, like "What is so hard about it?!") Reading and writing have been favorite pastimes for me since my school days, so I guess I get anal when I see over-the-top spelling or grammar errors. But I do realize people make mistakes. No offense intended, tommydee.

alienxg7
01-25-2004, 05:29 PM
I prefer dvds when I want something that I want to keep for a long time and videos may be occasionally okay if there's something I want to see but not particularly keep forever.