Ode To VHS

We usually devote our attention to the latest in tech, but I wanted to take a look back at my experience with videotapes.

I remember my first VCR, back in 1982. After enduring a bout of chicken pox, this piece of household electronics was my reward after being stuck in the house for two weeks. This RCA was one of the newer front loading models. While I had to individually fine tune the stations, it also had a wireless remote control which was a newer feature.

In time the RCA got replaced by a midloading Panasonic, and then another Panasonic, this time a four head hifi model. Most recently, my tapes were played by a DVD/VCR combo deck from Sylvania. In short, I've been watching videotapes for just short of a quarter of a century.

I own and use a DVD recorder. However, I still often use the combo deck to record and watch videotapes. When I don't want to deal with the media issues, or of closing the discs, I still can't beat the ol' VHS tapes. I was even considering buying a new VCR a few months back.

What prompted this trip down electronic memory lane? To accomodate all users, my public library acquires movies in both the DVD and VHS formats. Never mind that the discs have far greater longevity, take up less shelf space, and no "be kind- rewind" issues. Let's forget that the DVD's have superior audio and video quality, as well as those addictive bonus features. It doesn't matter that my local supermarket sells DVD players for $29.99. If one of the library's patrons wanted their movie on video cassette, they were going to provide it.

My local Blockbuster stopped carrying VHS two years ago, and no one blinked an eye. The sun was clearly setting on the analog tapes.

Now quite often the library would buy the movie on videotape and DVD. When I couldn't find the movie on the shiny disc, I would check it out on videotape. The library even did a poll last year on movie formats and the vote apparently was to continue buying the tapes as well.

Imagine my surprise when I went to the library this week and found a sign stating that they would not be buying any new films on videocassette. The simple reason why is that the manufacturers are just not making them anymore. The sun has truly set on the venerable format of VHS.

Let's say there really is no point in owning a VCR anymore. Videotapes are quietly joining the outdated format club with audio cassettes, eight tracks, Betamax, and laser discs. In our digital age, VHS was the last analog tape holdout, and now it is no more.

Consider this our good bye to the videotape. After a two and a half decades, it's going silently into the good night.

--Jonas