We were fully prepared to start harshing on VHS as a dead-end technology that never went anywhere during its time in retail (as a joke, of course), and out of nowhere, a bona fide tear slowly ran down our left cheek. Today, friends, is a day worth remembering. Today truly marks the
end of an era, as so far as we can tell, JVC really was the only company still producing
standalone VCRs. Of course, the outfit will continue to serve customers with a need to play back VHS tapes by offering up
DVD / VHS combo units, but those looking for a shiny new slice of retro in 2008 will be out of luck after remaining inventories dry up. All told, over 900 million VCRs were produced worldwide, with 50 million of those boasting a JVC label. We simply couldn't think of a more fitting way to put the iconic VCR (which
just turned 30 in 2005) to bed than by hosting up a poll and soliciting your input -- here's hoping the videocassette lives on in your domicile in one form or another, even if it's just the resident dust collector.
[Via
Impress]
Do you still own / use a VCR?| Yes! Use my standalone VCR regularly! | 3635 (10.4%) |
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| I've got one in a combo unit. | 3632 (10.4%) |
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| I've got one, but it hasn't been used in eons. | 13175 (37.8%) |
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| No way -- sent mine to the thrift store years ago. | 5971 (17.1%) |
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| Just picked up a huge lot on eBay! | 173 (0.5%) |
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| Did VHS really outlast HD DVD? Damn. | 8272 (23.7%) |
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posted October 27th 2008 4:35PM
It was a great ride. I owned VHS, S-VHS, and finally D-VHS. I still use my D-VHS vcr, and you can't beat being able to record in HD. I recorded the entire Star Wars saga (yep, all six movies) on my D-VHS machine. To me, that made it worth it right there. I think D-VHS was ahead of its time, but disc based media was inevitable. Now if I could only get a Blu-Ray recorder...
If you net trolls had kids you would understand the WONDER that is still VHS. My boy's 3 and I've got him turned into a champion of handling DVD's with care. Up until now though, it was strictly VHS because he likes to do things 'himself'.
Again kids + VHS = awesome.
I convert them to DVDs!
Http://www.pristinecopy.com
Well, as some troll here always says, they never played crysis.
And yes, I have a JVC VCR. My Joovke Vooker has been working since the betamax.
I use my 3 vcrs for splitting and combining a satellite, ps2 and cable signals between 2tvs. My 4th is used to get a signal to the 5" bw (over rf) I use to monitor tv while I work
Seeing the tape of Ferris Bueller in the pile reminded me of car trips long since past.
I'll never watch that movie on DVD. It just wouldn't be right.
Look at all that great music...The Jam, New Order, the Clash!!! I was expecting engadget to throw a Joy Division plug on there somewhere but I guess it's easier to find a New Order VHS.
I haven't even had, let alone used, a VHS player in about 5 years.
"JohnTitor @ Oct 27th 2008 7:35PM
what really sad is we missed a nice potential with VHS, when data's stored digitally you can make a lot of use for it, D-VHS movies can be upto 1080P and look as good as the expensive Blu-Ray, sans the MPAA's DRMs"
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Umm, DVHS had an ever worse form of DRM called 5C which is yet to have a widespread easy hack.
this is a sad day for vintage porn collections :(
In seventies VHS(Video Home System) was the best technological development for home movie entertainment which can play and record as well the TV programs. For thirty years (almost one full generation) it gave us the luxury of watching movies at home in quality video. It is very sad to see it end.
I got classic stuff on VHS, about 500 tapes, I'll move to DVD bit by bit. By the time it's all on DVD, I won't be able to find a DVD player! Sigh. I think VHS was the first life-changing communications breakthrough in my lifetime. I remember when they cost $600 -- in 1985 dollars!