Tape Your Own, Vintage Article from 1963 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-23-2014, 08:42 PM

I would've considered this big news in 1963 but instead of making the front page it gets a couple of paragraphs towards the back.

Regulus · 08-23-2014, 09:39 PM

IIRC, the first VCRs were the "Cartravison" units of the early 1970s. They didn't last long. The Batamax made its debut in the mid 1970s, followed by VHS. The first Betamax VCRs went for $2,500.00

, and Hollywood hated them with a passion and filed suit in Federal Court, claiming they violated copyright laws.

. The case went all the way to the US Supreme Court, which declared Taping Shows for personal use did not violate copyright laws.

Thus began the Home Video Boom. Believe it or not, several Ads I saw in the Newspapers during the Mid 1970s to Mid 1980s touted the ability to skip commercials by fast-forwarding through them. If I were to travel back 30 years and tell my 1984 self that I'd own over 40,000 hours of TV Shows, Movies, Serials and Documentaries My 1984 self would most likely

Zoneboy · 08-23-2014, 10:09 PM

I was thinking U-Matic tapes came before beta. I have an U-matic player but the cord is long-gone. I found one online a few years ago but the guy wanted $200 for it.

biffbronson · 08-24-2014, 02:07 AM

With the networks' appalling past practices of "wiping" their videotapes, it's so fortunate that some early home videotaping efforts have preserved footage that would be long gone otherwise. This applies to soap operas, game shows, sports, you name it.

I remember the fast-forwarding claims regarding commercial breaks -- that really was a selling point that was emphasized.

Young people may be surprised to learn that some of the older machines had corded remotes -- in other words, wires ran from the machine to the hand-held remote.

Zoneboy · 08-24-2014, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Young people may be surprised to learn that some of the older machines had corded remotes -- in other words, wires ran from the machine to the hand-held remote.

My first VHS had that, it was a Sylvania top-loader.

biffbronson · 08-24-2014, 02:42 AM

Ours was a top-loading Beta machine. A Sony Betamax if I recall right. You do realize that a LOT of people have no clue as to what a top-loader was...! LOL

Zoneboy · 08-24-2014, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Ours was a top-loading Beta machine. A Sony Betamax if I recall right. You do realize that a LOT of people have no clue as to what a top-loader was...! LOL

I've got a Sears top-loading beta sitting in a cabinet and I bet it weighs at least 40 pounds. No remote but it has the plug in the back for a wired-one.

MrCleveland · 08-24-2014, 09:46 AM

I would like to go back to the 60's and bring my VCR with me and tape every Johnny Carson episode...I'd bring tapes too.

70s show watcher · 08-25-2014, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

IIRC, the first VCRs were the "Cartravison" units of the early 1970s. They didn't last long. The Batamax made its debut in the mid 1970s, followed by VHS. The first Betamax VCRs went for $2,500.00

, and Hollywood hated them with a passion and filed suit in Federal Court, claiming they violated copyright laws.

. The case went all the way to the US Supreme Court, which declared Taping Shows for personal use did not violate copyright laws.

Thus began the Home Video Boom. Believe it or not, several Ads I saw in the Newspapers during the Mid 1970s to Mid 1980s touted the ability to skip commercials by fast-forwarding through them. If I were to travel back 30 years and tell my 1984 self that I'd own over 40,000 hours of TV Shows, Movies, Serials and Documentaries My 1984 self would most likely

I don't remember it but my mother told me that we had one of the cartavison units when I was little I sure wish now that she had saved some of the stuff from it

70s show watcher · 08-25-2014, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

I would like to go back to the 60's and bring my VCR with me and tape every Johnny Carson episode...I'd bring tapes too.

would you have taped some of the eps with guest hosts too or just eps with johnny?

MrCleveland · 08-26-2014, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

would you have taped some of the eps with guest hosts too or just eps with johnny?

Both!

Even if someone has those tapes in their stash at home...they should be valuable!

Sal · 08-26-2014, 06:49 PM

Someone should have burned that molasses recipe. Just reading it makes me lose my appetite!

70s show watcher · 08-27-2014, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

Both!

Even if someone has those tapes in their stash at home...they should be valuable!

at one time there was a full ep on youtube with jerry lewis filling in for johnny I don't know if its still there but it was a good ep

Sal · 08-28-2014, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

at one time there was a full ep on youtube with jerry lewis filling in for johnny I don't know if its still there but it was a good ep

I'm not sure what episode you are talking about, but there are still clips on YouTube of Jerry Lewis hosting the Tonight Show and you can find them here:

Jerry Lewis on the Tonight Show

08-23-2014, 08:42 PM	#1
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	Tape Your Own, Vintage Article from 1963 I would've considered this big news in 1963 but instead of making the front page it gets a couple of paragraphs towards the back.
	__________________ '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.

08-23-2014, 09:39 PM	#2
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	IIRC, the first VCRs were the "Cartravison" units of the early 1970s. They didn't last long. The Batamax made its debut in the mid 1970s, followed by VHS. The first Betamax VCRs went for $2,500.00 , and Hollywood hated them with a passion and filed suit in Federal Court, claiming they violated copyright laws. . The case went all the way to the US Supreme Court, which declared Taping Shows for personal use did not violate copyright laws. Thus began the Home Video Boom. Believe it or not, several Ads I saw in the Newspapers during the Mid 1970s to Mid 1980s touted the ability to skip commercials by fast-forwarding through them. If I were to travel back 30 years and tell my 1984 self that I'd own over 40,000 hours of TV Shows, Movies, Serials and Documentaries My 1984 self would most likely
	__________________ 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*

08-24-2014, 02:07 AM	#4
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,519	With the networks' appalling past practices of "wiping" their videotapes, it's so fortunate that some early home videotaping efforts have preserved footage that would be long gone otherwise. This applies to soap operas, game shows, sports, you name it. I remember the fast-forwarding claims regarding commercial breaks -- that really was a selling point that was emphasized. Young people may be surprised to learn that some of the older machines had corded remotes -- in other words, wires ran from the machine to the hand-held remote.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

08-24-2014, 09:46 AM	#8
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,232	I would like to go back to the 60's and bring my VCR with me and tape every Johnny Carson episode...I'd bring tapes too.
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

08-26-2014, 06:49 PM	#12
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,196	Someone should have burned that molasses recipe. Just reading it makes me lose my appetite!
	__________________ LIVE TV - Updated And Working By Request - July 2026 ANTENNA TV CATCHY COMEDY FE TV ME TV ME TV + ME TV TOONS PLUTO TV - Classic TV Comedy PLUTO TV - Classic TV Families

08-23-2014, 10:09 PM	#3
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	I was thinking U-Matic tapes came before beta. I have an U-matic player but the cord is long-gone. I found one online a few years ago but the guy wanted $200 for it.

08-24-2014, 02:42 AM	#6
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,519	Ours was a top-loading Beta machine. A Sony Betamax if I recall right. You do realize that a LOT of people have no clue as to what a top-loader was...! LOL