RIP: VHS

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that VHS is dead. I mean the last Hollywood movie to be released on VHS was A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE. But did you know that there was still a distributor out there specializing in VHS? There is, though I should say there was as even they are throwing in the towel. The last VHS wholesaler in the United States is closing up shop and taking the last of its inventory and either giving it away to charity (libraries, hospitals and the like) or throwing it away. While it's virtually impossible to find VHS at a Blockbuster or Best Buy, they were still being sold by this company to dollar stores or local grocery stores. Now that there are plenty of budget titles on DVD (the bargain bins of VHS at Wal-Mart have been replaced with $4 DVDs), the market for VHS has dried up and even the dollar stores are having trouble moving titles. As a household that still has a bunch of VHS tapes, it'll be sad to see the old girl go. I still remember renting movies from the local video store (before there was even a Blockbuster), setting up two VCRs and taping my own copy of a movie from the rental copy. It was a good racket before the days of DRM. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before we look back at DVDs with nothing more than a bit of nostalgia and wonder how we ever survived...

For more on the final nail in the coffin of VHS, check out this extensive article at the LA Times here.

Source: LA Times

Extra Tidbit: VHS was launched in America in 1977.

Register to post | Movie Fan Central | Rules / Guidelines

Remain respectful at all times. No writer abuse. For all corrections, suggestions, criticisms, email us instead.

Username:
Password:

Not Registered? Sign-up!

20 discussions Expand all

Show Oldest First  |  Newest First  |  Most Popular

 

+0

Mister_NOIR
5:22PM on 12/23/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Is there a Ralph's around here?

VHS was a good bowler, and a good format. He was one of us. He was a format who loved the outdoors... and bowling, and as a surfer he explored the beaches of Southern California, from La Jolla to Leo Carrillo and... up to... Pismo. He died, like so many young formats of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at...

VHS was a good bowler, and a good format. He was one of us. He was a format who loved the outdoors... and bowling, and as a surfer he explored the beaches of Southern California, from La Jolla to Leo Carrillo and... up to... Pismo. He died, like so many young formats of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at Khe Sanh, at Langdok, at Hill 364. These young men gave their lives. And so would VHS. VHS, who loved bowling. And so, Video Home System, in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been, we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well.

Good night, sweet prince.

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

Paulie
2:10PM on 12/23/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

RIP, old friend

I belong to the VHS generation, but honestly, that format had to die. Just like with audio tapes, the more you play a VHS tape, the more it wears out.

I belong to the VHS generation, but honestly, that format had to die. Just like with audio tapes, the more you play a VHS tape, the more it wears out.

 

+0

critic_h8er
5:58AM on 12/23/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Thank you, VHS, you've been very good to us all. Rest in peace.

Thank you, VHS, you've been very good to us all. Rest in peace.

 

+0

Maudibe
5:04AM on 12/23/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

and in the future...

You will see 5-8 dollar bargain Blu-Ray inventory in bins in wal-mart and grocery stores.

You will see 5-8 dollar bargain Blu-Ray inventory in bins in wal-mart and grocery stores.

 

+0

PsycoPat
1:25AM on 12/23/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Boooo!

First three movies I ever saw on VHS: First Blood, Flashdance, and The Road Warrior...

I still have a VCR I use as a clock.

The end of an ERA. You will be missed.

First three movies I ever saw on VHS: First Blood, Flashdance, and The Road Warrior...

I still have a VCR I use as a clock.

The end of an ERA. You will be missed.

 

+0

luke319
7:00PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Wow, I've got to say I'm pretty impressed there was still a VHS specialty store kicking around. I guess Danny Glover and Mos Def will have to move on like the rest of us now.

As for Blu-Ray, I agree with IQuitMrWhite, Blu-Ray's not going to vanish into obscurity, but there's simply not enough incentive for your casual viewer to convert, and as long as DVD's still available I'm ho...

Wow, I've got to say I'm pretty impressed there was still a VHS specialty store kicking around. I guess Danny Glover and Mos Def will have to move on like the rest of us now.

As for Blu-Ray, I agree with IQuitMrWhite, Blu-Ray's not going to vanish into obscurity, but there's simply not enough incentive for your casual viewer to convert, and as long as DVD's still available I'm honestlty not sure there ever will be.

Of course, eventually there will be a new format that's the same kind of leap above DVD as it was above VHS, but I'm yet to be convinced that Blu-Ray's it.

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

BojacRedleif
6:50PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

WOW

HOLY CRAP, I have that VHS. I used to watch Weird Al Live all the time when I was younger.

HOLY CRAP, I have that VHS. I used to watch Weird Al Live all the time when I was younger.

 

+0

razgriz21
4:21PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

VHS served us well. Then, in 2001, my folks got a DVD player.

I still have Star Wars Trilogy on VHS (no enhancements) along with Speed, Forrest Gump, and Shawshank Redemption.

VHS served us well. Then, in 2001, my folks got a DVD player.

I still have Star Wars Trilogy on VHS (no enhancements) along with Speed, Forrest Gump, and Shawshank Redemption.

 

+0

Mr. Ravenwood
4:15PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Just echoing...

Like many of you, I was a collector of VHS, and like many of you, I began turning VHS in for credit at stores like Penny Lane and Wherehouse in order to upgrade to DVD. Now that Blu is the definitive Hi-Def format, I have begun to do the process over... I turn in my standard def DVD's for credit and then upgrade to Blu.

Thing is, I have over 1000 DVD's. So I made a deal with myse...

Like many of you, I was a collector of VHS, and like many of you, I began turning VHS in for credit at stores like Penny Lane and Wherehouse in order to upgrade to DVD. Now that Blu is the definitive Hi-Def format, I have begun to do the process over... I turn in my standard def DVD's for credit and then upgrade to Blu.

Thing is, I have over 1000 DVD's. So I made a deal with myself to only upgrade discs that have some sort of need to be seen in full Blu glory. "Casablanca," for instance. "The Matrix," or "CE3K." Other than that, and of course new titles that have extraordinary photography or sound ("Wanted"), I will stick with my old discs and the upconvert.

And to those who say Discs are on the way out? I doubt it. VHS lived for 31 years. DVD took a long time to become the prevailing format... and as to digital downloads? Well. I'm ok with getting my music from iTunes, but as far as films go? I like my jewel cases. i enjoy the poster (box) art and, well, I'd rather have something tangible.

Anyone else agree?

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

MrPhox
3:16PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

whateverrr

I still have a VHS DVD combo -- so I'm not hurting too much on the few VHS tapes I have of classic movies (Killing Fields, ID4)

But until they start making cheap HD flatscreens and Blu-Ray players for 20bucks like they do for DVD players...I'm in no hurry to transfer to a new format only 6 years after getting my first DVD player.


Not to mention, There's ove...

I still have a VHS DVD combo -- so I'm not hurting too much on the few VHS tapes I have of classic movies (Killing Fields, ID4)

But until they start making cheap HD flatscreens and Blu-Ray players for 20bucks like they do for DVD players...I'm in no hurry to transfer to a new format only 6 years after getting my first DVD player.


Not to mention, There's over 400 Critertion Collection movies, and only 4 or 5 have jumped to Blu Ray so far.

Once "Brazil" hits Blu-Ray -- I may be intrigued.

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

Beenthere
2:39PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

The Era is Over

VHS was a revolution that changed the world in the last quarter of the 20th century. RIP - next to my youth. Thank you very much.

VHS was a revolution that changed the world in the last quarter of the 20th century. RIP - next to my youth. Thank you very much.

 

+0

gekko97
2:21PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

You'll be missed...

Now that's out the way, go blu-ray!!! I won't replace all of my DVD's, but there is a definitive difference in sound quality as compared to standard DVD.

Now that's out the way, go blu-ray!!! I won't replace all of my DVD's, but there is a definitive difference in sound quality as compared to standard DVD.

 

+0

Goldenarmz
2:19PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

NOt...

sure where you guys are getting your blu rays from but Amazon has the cheapest iv seen, the difference between their dvd and blu ray is a few dollars. TDK 2 disc dvd is 20 and the blu ray version is 23... not that big of a difference. Iv started slowly converting to blu ray i didnt have a big dvd collection to begin with so its not that much of a problem, my only problem with Blu Ray is that a ...

sure where you guys are getting your blu rays from but Amazon has the cheapest iv seen, the difference between their dvd and blu ray is a few dollars. TDK 2 disc dvd is 20 and the blu ray version is 23... not that big of a difference. Iv started slowly converting to blu ray i didnt have a big dvd collection to begin with so its not that much of a problem, my only problem with Blu Ray is that a dvd that has billion hours worth of features usually dont show up on the Blu ray edition which kinda sucks since it has all that space.

[+] Full Comment

 

-1

Screamin Brains
1:30PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

not dead yet

I think standard dvds have a few years left in them still. Until HDTV's and stand alone Bluray players become much cheaper, people will continue to support the regular dvd format. If it wasn't for the PS3 alot of people wouldn't have started making the switch so soon.

I think standard dvds have a few years left in them still. Until HDTV's and stand alone Bluray players become much cheaper, people will continue to support the regular dvd format. If it wasn't for the PS3 alot of people wouldn't have started making the switch so soon.

 

+0

Maverick027
1:19PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I finally took my VHS player out of my system when I needed the space for the PS3. I gave away most of my VHS tapes though I kept a few: Last of the Mohicans ('cause I like the original cut better than the DVD Director Cut, and the box says P&S though the tape is wide-screen), the original release of the Star Wars trilogy (no edits, no "improvements", no Lucas a$$-raping of Stormtroopers), and ...

I finally took my VHS player out of my system when I needed the space for the PS3. I gave away most of my VHS tapes though I kept a few: Last of the Mohicans ('cause I like the original cut better than the DVD Director Cut, and the box says P&S though the tape is wide-screen), the original release of the Star Wars trilogy (no edits, no "improvements", no Lucas a$$-raping of Stormtroopers), and the Star Wars Christmas special (10 minutes of wookies talking with no subtitles, talk about sheer script-writing genius!!).

But I have switched over to buying BRs only (aside from South Park seasons), but that doesn't mean I buy a lot of them. They're still too expensive. I've just cut my overall spending and only buy the BRs that I REALLY want or ones that I want and find on sale for $10-15. But I agree, BR will not replace DVD. I won't replace the nearly 500 DVDs I have my in collection. They still are just as good and entertaining to watch. But going forward, it'll be BR only (with more selective choosing).

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

IQuitMrWhite
12:43PM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

VHS, we hardly knew ye. Meh, I'm over it. Blu-Ray won't be the next Laserdisc (HD DVD takes that spot), but it won't sell as well as DVDs, because DVDs work on old TVs. Blu-Rays only work with HDTVs, to which, I predict, a surprising amount of people will never upgrade.

VHS, we hardly knew ye. Meh, I'm over it. Blu-Ray won't be the next Laserdisc (HD DVD takes that spot), but it won't sell as well as DVDs, because DVDs work on old TVs. Blu-Rays only work with HDTVs, to which, I predict, a surprising amount of people will never upgrade.

 

+0

jayrizzo
11:47AM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

bluray

i agree with shishkabob, i recently got a bluray on sale just to go with the new tv but the only bluray i have or plan to get is tdk just because they are so expensive. I plan to buy only dvds for awhile until the prices go down, but i don't think bluray will be the next laserdisc, i hope

i agree with shishkabob, i recently got a bluray on sale just to go with the new tv but the only bluray i have or plan to get is tdk just because they are so expensive. I plan to buy only dvds for awhile until the prices go down, but i don't think bluray will be the next laserdisc, i hope

 

+0

sd71
11:43AM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

rip

i seriously had like 10,000 vhs mostly taped in the way you mention when i went dvd i ve only made it to 300 im far more selective now

i think dvd has plenty of legs left in it

i made the jump to bd a few months ago upon purchaseing a ps3 but all i have on bd is spiderman 3(it came with it) and the dark knight (i was gonna get iron man on bd but my wife copped it ...

i seriously had like 10,000 vhs mostly taped in the way you mention when i went dvd i ve only made it to 300 im far more selective now

i think dvd has plenty of legs left in it

i made the jump to bd a few months ago upon purchaseing a ps3 but all i have on bd is spiderman 3(it came with it) and the dark knight (i was gonna get iron man on bd but my wife copped it on dvd for me first) and i only plan on getting movies like that on bluray

i almost always cop the best picture winner and i wont get that in bd unless its already somthing i have on bd....sorry i wont start that shit here

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

Shishkabob3787
11:20AM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

DVD Lives

I think DVD has a hell of a lot more life left in it than the three people I know that have made the jump to all Blu-Ray care to admit.

For one, most people are tightening their budgets as it is, so the more expensive format is going to lose among the vast majority of the middle class.

Secondly, it's not that big of a jump, especially with up-converting DVD players...

I think DVD has a hell of a lot more life left in it than the three people I know that have made the jump to all Blu-Ray care to admit.

For one, most people are tightening their budgets as it is, so the more expensive format is going to lose among the vast majority of the middle class.

Secondly, it's not that big of a jump, especially with up-converting DVD players getting more popular. Yes, Blu Ray obviously DOES look better, but it's not better enough for the average joe to give a shit. And it's extra menu features are minor improvements.

The jump from VHS to DVD was huge. Blu Ray is looking to become the next Laserdisc. I have a Blu Ray player in my house and I still stick solely to DVD. It's just more affordable and it's perfectly good enough for now.

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

#1dvdfan
11:06AM on 12/22/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Yes, those were the days setting up a timer for my favoite series, setting up 2 vcrs for a copy. I still buy used.VHS to this day for films that still have yet to be released on DVD or BD.

R.I.P.

Yes, those were the days setting up a timer for my favoite series, setting up 2 vcrs for a copy. I still buy used.VHS to this day for films that still have yet to be released on DVD or BD.

R.I.P.