Argh...is my horror movie collection going down the shitter?

[evildeadizgod]

Do VHS's last? My entire collection (mainly) is on VHS and id hate to have to switch that to DVD and buy all this stuff....I dont know what to do!!!

[Romero&Juliet]

My VHSs aren't going ANYWHERE! I just got into DVDs a little while ago and I'm LOVING them... but I stiillll love that gritty, tapey feel of old, washed out tapes.. Makes a movie better, imo.

Honestly, could you STAND to watch a nice, cleaned up version of TCM? I dont think it'd be the same.

[Romero&Juliet]

I've had some movies for at LEAST five years and I watch them all the time... and it still doesn't look like they're going anywhere in the near future...

[The Claw]

VHS isnt going anywhere(for a few years at least) so why bother with dvd. I myself just cant enjoy DVD. I dont know maybe i like VHS better or maybe it's the fact i was dropped on my head too many times as a child.

Or maybe i just cant watch a cleaned up version of some films or them in wide screen. i cant put my finger on it i just dont know.

not that dvd is bad IT does have it's strong points but if your happy with your VHS collection and your happy with them. just keep them like that.

[Xipe Totec]

Well I like both vhs and dvd. Maby dvd a little more.
But I hate those different screen sizes on dvds ( widescreen and 16:9 )

[Fisting Ackbar]

No point in changing them all into DVD's.

Plenty of people don't have DVD Players so it's not like VHS will totally disappear soon.

[countchocula]

There's no need to convert your entire collection over to DVD. Even if VHS becomes extinct, you'll still have your VCR.

[Lord Crumb]

Oh, man. Honestly, ditch all of those rotten VHS's. Replace it all with DVD's. Why would you hold out when there's a fanboy GOLDMINE of horror discs out there?!?!

Things you're missing out on:

first and foremost:
-WIDESCREEN!!! With those shitty fullscreen tapes, you're missing almost HALF of what was actually shot. If you love these films, why would you settle for less???

-COMMENTARY TRACKS: A chance to find out SO many cool little pieces of information about some of your favorite films. The EVIL DEAD commentaries are about as fun as watching the films on their own...absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

-TRAILERS: This is considered a MINOR bonus here in DVD land, but I've always REALLY appreciated the fact that I can watch the exact same trailer that audiences enjoyed al those years ago.

-MAKING OF DOCUMENTARIES: Sometimes you can watch how they made some of your favs. Some of these docs are just as long as the film itself, and sometimes LONGER!

So, basically, what I'm saying is take the dive and start getting DVDs. They're better quality, they last longer, DVD players don't chew up discs and spit them back out. Your punk-ass brother/sister/mom/dad can't accidentally tape over them, etc,etc,etc. Just don't end up one of these guys who is desperately clinging to his VHSs until they're totally obsolete. It'll just be more painful. I had a HUGE horror collection when DVD came around and I took the plunge RIGHT away. I just couldn't resist!!! Too many cool things for a fanboy like myself. I just tossed the VHS copies as they were replaced on DVD.

[Kaos]

Originally posted by Lord Crumb
Oh, man. Honestly, ditch all of those rotten VHS's. Replace it all with DVD's. Why would you hold out when there's a fanboy GOLDMINE of horror discs out there?!?!

Things you're missing out on:

first and foremost:
-WIDESCREEN!!! With those shitty fullscreen tapes, you're missing almost HALF of what was actually shot. If you love these films, why would you settle for less???

-COMMENTARY TRACKS: A chance to find out SO many cool little pieces of information about some of your favorite films. The EVIL DEAD commentaries are about as fun as watching the films on their own...absolutely HILARIOUS!!!

-TRAILERS: This is considered a MINOR bonus here in DVD land, but I've always REALLY appreciated the fact that I can watch the exact same trailer that audiences enjoyed al those years ago.

-MAKING OF DOCUMENTARIES: Sometimes you can watch how they made some of your favs. Some of these docs are just as long as the film itself, and sometimes LONGER!

So, basically, what I'm saying is take the dive and start getting DVDs. They're better quality, they last longer, DVD players don't chew up discs and spit them back out. Your punk-ass brother/sister/mom/dad can't accidentally tape over them, etc,etc,etc. Just don't end up one of these guys who is desperately clinging to his VHSs until they're totally obsolete. It'll just be more painful. I had a HUGE horror collection when DVD came around and I took the plunge RIGHT away. I just couldn't resist!!! Too many cool things for a fanboy like myself. I just tossed the VHS copies as they were replaced on DVD.

I'm in total agreement, in fact it's what I'm in the process of doing at the moment. There's too much cool stuff they(usually)put on a DVD to pass up. From the deleted sceens, to commentary, I love being able to get a behind-the sceens take on my favorite movie(now, if someone would only release The Burning on a region 1 DVD, I'd be VERY happy).

[radikill]

Like someone said VHS isn't going anywhere... yet. Simply because too many people have VCRs. But eventually, studios will stop releasing films on VHS because the demand for DVD will be greater. Gazing into my crystal ball, I see that happening within two years.

If you have a large VHS collection and a good VCR then you're fine. You can just do what I did: use a DVD player to supplement your collection, not to replace it. I don't generally buy DVDs of movies that I already have on tape... unless the DVD is loaded with extras.

DO NOT FEAR DVDS! They can be quite educational. For example, I watched the South Park movie on DVD with French dialogue and English subtitles and now I know how to say "Suck my balls" in French.

[Tarman]

Id say stick with VHS.It seems like occasionally you can find DVD's for a decent price but you can go to flea markerts and pawn shops and pick VHS up for 2-3 dollars.Why change over,just get your favorites again on DVD if you want the commentary and alternate endings.

[spacemonkey]

Ok heres the deal: VHS will go the way of the 8 track and the tape. Itll dissapear into oblivion and only be remembered as something that defined an era.

The benefits of DVD are too many to number, but among other things they dont rot or get fungus, and they will certainly last longer then any VHS.

I converted my whole collection onto DVD and I am not sorry I did it ...I mean I get to hear my favorite directors yak all about how they made the movie, how cool is that? Plus all the other supplementary material is just too cool, example: the old trailers on the phantasm DVD, those are a trip back to the seventies man!

If you not convinced that DVD is here to stay and will replace VHS like for ever, just take a look at your local Blockbuster...chances are have of the store is allready DVDs. Well at least thats the way it is here were I live.

[countchocula]

VHS may be slowly fading into obscurity, but that's no reason to convert your entire collection. Some films simply don't call for such treatment. For instance, why would anyone buy the first eight F13 films on DVD? No special features, a silly price, and crude cover art. If you're worried about audio/video quality, then don't. Most VHS tapes are adequate in that area if you're not too picky. I'm like Radikill; I buy DVDs in addition to my VHS collection, not in place of it.

[reelmaster]

There will be an even better format out and all the people who chuck out the old technology will have to start again
My 3000 beta and vhs collection is ageing beautifully
Even my 22 year old tapes still play perfectly
Buy a DVD of your favourite horror movies but keep the original VHS as a backup
VHS movies have superior cover art

[Kaos]

Originally posted by reelmaster
There will be an even better format out and all the people who chuck out the old technology will have to start again


True enough, but hopefully with each new format, the movies and extras will continue to get better(hey, a man can dream can't he?:)).

[Lady Summerisle]

Caveat Emptor regarding horror DVD's:

MANY DVD VERSIONS ARE NOT THE VERSION YOU HAVE ON TAPE.
My RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD tape is the Thorn EMI version, not the Hemdale they used for the DVD. Thorn EMI's is the first one, unchanged with same music and voices.

Also, A LOT OF HORRORS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
I own the tape of DUST DEVIL, Director's Cut, which is still not on DVD. Nor is the 89 minute version. Just because a movie is on VHS is not an entirely terrible thing.

Don't be fooled into buying a DVD of your fave horror when they'll bring out another version (the "Ultimate Edition") unless you are happy with the extras and copy of it. Like PHANTASM, it is worthy of a buy, but unless we can get a superlative version of the uncut THE BURNING on DVD I doubt us genre fans will be able to get rid of our cherished copies of F13 6.


It may be outdated, but I still love VHS when I can watch DUST DEVIL as it was meant to bee seen.

[Devil55]

I agree with everyone about vhs not going anywhere.Even the big time companies think so,Just look at the dvd/vhs combo players there coming out with now.Actually,As much as I love dvd some movies just should'nt have been messed with when it comes to the older picture,For example,NOTLD and TCM were way better and creepier with there older grainy picture,It made them almost to realistic.Vhs will never go out because to many people have way to big of a collection and they no that,That also might be why they have those mew combo players out.They realize how many people won't switch,This way you can get the best of both worlds.

[stevereno]

im only getting a dvd player cuz alot of movies are only coming out on DVD (namely older horror movies that are re-released) but thats all its being used for...that and maybe ALIENS: SPECIAL EDITION dvd with 17 minute making of feature :)

SHIVER ME TIMBERS