VHS era is winding down

Los Angeles Times ^ | December 22, 2008 | Geoff Boucher

[ConservativeStatement]

Do you remember, maybe 15-20 years ago, the short-lived ability to record a cassette tape of favorite songs at record stores? Now that I think of it, remember record stores? :-)

The name attached to the technology was Personifications (though that may not be correct).

You could make a cassette tape of any music ... something like $1/song.

On one tape, I had Strauss and Guns 'n Roses.

[Gabz]

You’re kidding? That is obscene!!!!

For a goof Sunday evening as our last song at our last stop for carolling our “choir” leader suggested we do White Christmas from memory -— what a hoot, we all knew the words!!!

Anyway, we all got talking as we were heading back to our cars and hubby mentioned the reason we were up on the words is that Jax has discovered one of my “Frank and Bing” cassette tapes and has been playing it over and over again. Everyone laughed at us about still having cassette tapes, and we really floored them when we said not only has Jax discovered the tapes, but the old LPs as well. One of the gals totally freaked out that we actually still have turntables.

Oh, and of the 9 of us chatting at the time, hubby and I were the youngest of the bunch.

[TheRightGuy]

you can’t record to a disc inexpensively yet either; and I like taping from tv.

I have a Sony DVD/VHS combo player/recorder that I purchased about 5 years ago. It can record on either VHS tape or DVD off the cable or antennae, or dub either one to the other, it also has a fire-wire input so I can record directly onto DVD from my video cam. The DVD portion can record in 30 minute, one hour, two hour, four hour, and six hour modes ... although anything recorded in more than the two hour mode is virtually unwatchable. DVD and TV output is upconverted to 1080i via component cables. The only problem is that it has no digital inputs, hence no HD capability.

[hoosierham]

I concur.

And for the financially challenged,i.e. poor, VHS tapes are plentiful at yard sales and thrift stores at $1 or less each and used decks for $5.So the family can enjoy classics and some newer films for several years for very little money.

[Holicheese]

Just another thing that the next generation will never enjoy...A rewinding charge!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Our cable has music channels and we were playing Uno last night and listening to Christmas music. It was kind of interesting when my kids would mention an older singer and knew who it was. I think sometimes old songs are used as a background in movies so they know more than they realize.

[Arkansas Toothpick]

I’m really surprised that Blu-Ray bridged the gap between DVDs and future technologies; I think we’re already at the point where solid state tech (ie, flash drives that were mentioned by a prior poster) will be next. Moving parts are disappearing from electronic devices.

[Gabz]

You might have something there.

Oh well, I gotta get outta here again. Did my “north” run already and came home to get a bite of lunch, now it’s time for the “south” trek. Living in the stix has many advantages, however ease of shopping is not one of them. I’ve made stops in 3 different towns already and have 4 more to go........

[Total Package]

You can just back up your DVDs and put the original away. Most new DVD players will play .avi or divx so you can put 4 to 5 movies on one DVD.

[Revolting cat!]

Oh, no, now that I’ve finally figured out how to operate my VHS recorder!

[uglybiker]

All my movies are burned onto my hard drive.

[weegee]

Turntables are still being made and so are records, using better pressings than ever before.

Just because Wallyworld doesn’t sell it and MTV doesn’t play it, does not mean that it doesn’t exist.

It’s kind of like when scientists say they have “discovered” a species that was EXTINCT for hundreds of years. Unless it mutated from some other species, it wasn’t REALLY extinct in the first place.

[mono]

I still have some 78 rpm records from the forties. They sure do spin fast on the turntable!

[weegee]

I think sometimes old songs are used as a background in movies so they know more than they realize.

Same as it always was.

I didn't "grow up listening to" opera or old pop songs like "The Lady In Red" but seeing hundreds of Bugs Bunny cartoons for many years exposed me to these songs again and again and again.

[weegee]

I still have some 78 rpm records from the forties. They sure do spin fast on the turntable!

What happens if you throw one of these 16rpm jobbers on that?

[HungarianGypsy]

Ah1 But, do you have any 80 rpm records?

[weegee]

Records. That's like a plastic donut, right?

[weegee]

I’ve seen a turntable that could play 8RPM (single digit, even LOWER than Congress’ approval rating!)

[weegee]

Can't put a CD on the box these days. Unless it is the lid on a tin of anchovies or chili or something.

[wally_bert]

If I only had a dollar for all of the production, marketing, program, production, review, relay station, and request dub I made in over a decade, I could have bought a new body kit (with a taligate), and every other custom component and pay for the body work to restore my old Jeep from the wheels up a couple of times over.