Those that are die-hard VCR
fans have good reasons not to agree that the VCR
really is dead.
VCRs are very easy to operate and are extremely
low cost.
The cost is so low it's easy to have one in
every room of the house making it very easy to
watch a movie (or other recorded programing) in
every room.
VCR tape is cheap and easily reusable and can
record up to 9 hours on one tape.
Well those are just some of the reasons why VCR
fans just don't want to let go of the dead
horse.
Dead horse? Really is that not being kind of
well mean? Unfortunately no not at all.
The truth is in 2005 JVC became the last
manufacturer to make a freestanding VCR. The
only VCRs currently being offered new are units
combined with a DVD recorder.
Also when was the last time you tried to buy new
VCR blank tape? It's even hard to find at Wal
Mart. Hay, I did not even about prerecorded
tapes!
So whether you like it or not you better start
to realize that your beloved VCR is dead.
"But Mike I can buy great used VCRs everywhere
for 5 to 25 bucks each, so how can they be
dead???"
Look, dead technology is always cheap so don't
argue the fact that it's alive because you can
buy used ones cheap.
Don't get me wrong, I love my VCRs!!!
Yes, you see I am one of those VCR heads.
Really, I have about 10 or so VCRs around the
house and quite a number of backup units ready
to go. And after having a hard time finding
extra length tapes a few years ago I bought
several years worth of tapes. As in I have at
least a good year to 2 worth of tapes left.
But sadly I must admit my beloved VCRs really
are dead.
So what's a VCR lover to do?
Well that's the question and over the next
coming months we're going to take an in-depth
look at it and report back to you.
As I am writing this article I am getting used
to using a TiVo . In addition to a DVD recorder
or two.
Now a modern DVD recorder is the most like a
VCR. In fact it's really the same as a VCR with
the only difference being that it records on a
DVD disc for up to 8 hours instead of a VCR tape
for up to 9 hours. The recorded DVD can be
played back on any DVD player or recorder or
computer. And just like your beloved VCR
requires no paid subscription service. It just
needs a signal to record.
On the other hand there is TiVo. All modern
TiVo's require a subscription service in order
to be able to record anything. TiVo makes models
that will work with your cable TV or satellite
or your broadcast antenna or a combination of
all. Including all your digital channels. To
watch your TiVo programming in different rooms
you will have to do it through your computer or
have additional TiVo's in each room. But that's
the basics of TiVo. Depending upon your cable or
satellite provider there can be other solutions.
And through the internet and a smartphone or
tablet you can watch your TiVo almost anywhere.
But for now we're going to take a look at what
happens when you take a guy's beloved VCRs away
from him.
We will be over the next few months getting to
know our new TiVo very well. We will also keep
playing with our DVD recorders.
We will also try to bring into the mix something
that's not a DVD recorder and something that's
not a TiVo. It's what's known as a DVR. A
digital video recorder. It function like a VCR
or DVD recorder in the fact that no subscription
service is needed. But it records digitally and
is not as easy to view moving room to room like
a DVD recorder is. But can offer internet
connectivity.
So what device will make this VCR guy happy????
Will it be the familiarity of a VCR recorder in
the form of a DVD???
Will it be the super easy to use TiVo???
Or the often overlooked DVR????
