What was your first VCR purchase? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

1960'sTVfan · 01-19-2013, 11:04 AM

The first VCR I bought was in the early 80's, in 1981 if I recall correctly, it was a GE top loader style VCR. At that time, it was one of the best machines available. I spent $900 for it, on sale marked down from $1100, VCR's were expensive back then because they were the hot new thing on the market. I got a lot of use and enjoyment out of that VCR, I still had it up until last year when I moved. As I was packing and going through my stuff, I decided to get rid of it because the tape transport was worn out and not working anymore. It was kind of sad in a way, sort of like saying goodbye for the last time to an old friend. But that VCR gave me many years of reliable use, it was a nice machine.

Who else remembers their first VCR purchase?

siblis · 01-20-2013, 04:16 AM

I bought mine in 1983 while working for Sansui. Also a Top Loader, I think I got it for $600.00

Regulus · 01-20-2013, 08:24 AM

First VCR was in 1984 at Christmastime. My Father purchased it for around $400.00 Didn't purchase any movies until 1987 (Many movies at that time were selling for $50.00 up,

and I refused to pay that kind of money).

CJ · 01-20-2013, 01:52 PM

November 1984 purchased at Sears for around $300.

I don't remember the brand, but it was front loading & silver

You had to manually program the channels and the remote was NOT wireless [how did we ever live like that?]

Blank VHS tapes were so expensive that we bought 4 Scotch brand and used them over and over again. In fact, I still have them. Ironically, the last things we recorded on them still looks pretty darn good for almost 30 years of wear & tear.

katmandu38 · 01-20-2013, 04:51 PM

a magnavox top load with wired remote in 12/84. it cost $432, my xmas present that year

y2k3Joker · 01-20-2013, 06:36 PM

Telefunken top load VHS with wired remote also (circa 04/84). Still have it in the attic somewhere. I remember recording NHL and NBA playoffs that Spring

Zoneboy · 01-20-2013, 08:07 PM

First new VCR was purchased in 1984 and it was a Sylvania top-loader with a wired remote control. It was also one of the first things I ever purchased on credit and my mom still had to co-sign.

I still buy VCR's at thrift stores, Goodwill, etc... but only Sony betamax Hi-Fi. when I can find them. I will consider other brands of beta units but not many.

Regulus · 01-20-2013, 08:15 PM

Does anyone remember how expensive the first VCRs and Big-Screen TVs were?

Back in those days I thought having a VCR hooked to one of those Big-Screen TVs along with HBO would be TV

Heaven

.

Today I have a Big-Screen TV and a VCR DVD Recorder, but I haven't had HBO for 13 years, and Cable TV since 2006. However, I do have A LOT of stuff to play on that machine!

1960'sTVfan · 01-22-2013, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

First VCR was in 1984 at Christmastime. My Father purchased it for around $400.00 Didn't purchase any movies until 1987 (Many movies at that time were selling for $50.00 up,

and I refused to pay that kind of money).

With my first VCR purchase, at first I was also just using it to record stuff off of TV. It was a few years until I started buying movies on VHS tapes. Back in the 80's, a local TV station where I lived at the time would air an East Side Kids or Bowery Boys movie once a week. I recorded those movies and still have them in my collection, they look real nice. I recently transferred the movies to DVD's, in the event the tapes ever wear out or go bad.

dlemond · 01-22-2013, 01:12 PM

We got a top loading Hitachi VCR in 1981.

We used it mainly for taping shows on HBO and cable.
(also renting movies)

One of the first things I remember taping was "Battle Beyond the Stars" on HBO. It was the first thing I taped and the beginning of the recording ended up having lines running up and down it with some distortion.

I learned then that with new blank tapes you should run them fast forward and back before using. At least that is what the video store people told me. (I usually just let it go forward for a couple minutes and then back. Didn't have a problem after that).

01-19-2013, 11:04 AM	#1
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,127	What was your first VCR purchase? The first VCR I bought was in the early 80's, in 1981 if I recall correctly, it was a GE top loader style VCR. At that time, it was one of the best machines available. I spent $900 for it, on sale marked down from $1100, VCR's were expensive back then because they were the hot new thing on the market. I got a lot of use and enjoyment out of that VCR, I still had it up until last year when I moved. As I was packing and going through my stuff, I decided to get rid of it because the tape transport was worn out and not working anymore. It was kind of sad in a way, sort of like saying goodbye for the last time to an old friend. But that VCR gave me many years of reliable use, it was a nice machine. Who else remembers their first VCR purchase?

01-20-2013, 04:16 AM	#2
siblis Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 06, 2001 Posts: 1,189	First VCR I bought mine in 1983 while working for Sansui. Also a Top Loader, I think I got it for $600.00

01-20-2013, 08:24 AM	#3
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	First VCR was in 1984 at Christmastime. My Father purchased it for around $400.00 Didn't purchase any movies until 1987 (Many movies at that time were selling for $50.00 up, and I refused to pay that kind of money).
	__________________ Grail Shows: *Doc Elliot, Owen Marshall-Counselor of Law, Here's Boomer, Three for the Road, Holmes and YoYo* Bucket List Shows: *Hot Wheels, Skyhawks, Run Joe Run, Westwood*

01-20-2013, 08:07 PM	#7
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,434	First new VCR was purchased in 1984 and it was a Sylvania top-loader with a wired remote control. It was also one of the first things I ever purchased on credit and my mom still had to co-sign. I still buy VCR's at thrift stores, Goodwill, etc... but only Sony betamax Hi-Fi. when I can find them. I will consider other brands of beta units but not many.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-22-2013, 01:12 PM	#10
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	We got a top loading Hitachi VCR in 1981. We used it mainly for taping shows on HBO and cable. (also renting movies) One of the first things I remember taping was "Battle Beyond the Stars" on HBO. It was the first thing I taped and the beginning of the recording ended up having lines running up and down it with some distortion. I learned then that with new blank tapes you should run them fast forward and back before using. At least that is what the video store people told me. (I usually just let it go forward for a couple minutes and then back. Didn't have a problem after that).
	__________________ Michael

01-20-2013, 01:52 PM	#4
CJ Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 12, 2001 Location: Buckeye State Posts: 321	November 1984 purchased at Sears for around $300. I don't remember the brand, but it was front loading & silver You had to manually program the channels and the remote was NOT wireless [how did we ever live like that?] Blank VHS tapes were so expensive that we bought 4 Scotch brand and used them over and over again. In fact, I still have them. Ironically, the last things we recorded on them still looks pretty darn good for almost 30 years of wear & tear.

01-20-2013, 04:51 PM	#5
katmandu38 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 01, 2002 Location: tennessee Posts: 678	a magnavox top load with wired remote in 12/84. it cost $432, my xmas present that year

01-20-2013, 06:36 PM	#6
y2k3Joker Why So Serious? Senior Member Join Date: Aug 28, 2003 Location: Arkham Asylum Posts: 1,256	Telefunken top load VHS with wired remote also (circa 04/84). Still have it in the attic somewhere. I remember recording NHL and NBA playoffs that Spring

01-20-2013, 08:15 PM	#8
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	Does anyone remember how expensive the first VCRs and Big-Screen TVs were? Back in those days I thought having a VCR hooked to one of those Big-Screen TVs along with HBO would be TV Heaven . Today I have a Big-Screen TV and a VCR DVD Recorder, but I haven't had HBO for 13 years, and Cable TV since 2006. However, I do have A LOT of stuff to play on that machine!