I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

You can use a converter. However, the converter will have to be manually set
to the desired channel.

On Feb 21, 9:41*pm, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron


Will have to pre-set a digital STB

or change to a PVR / DVD recorder with a digital tuner.

Getting very cheap these days.

Same thing, just a different storage method.

In article
,
Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

If you like the 'new digital pictures', you'd be best to get a recorder
which does them justice.

--
*I used up all my sick days so I called in dead

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

William Sommerwerck wrote:
You can use a converter. However,
the converter will have to be manually set to the desired channel.

Roger Blake wrote:
Two converters - the Zinwell ZAT-970A and the Dish Network "DTVPal"
offer automatic timers for use with VCRs. Zinwell has 8 timers and
has basic front-panel controls. The DTVPal has 5 timers and the
remote must be used for all functions.
I use the Zinwell and it works quite well.

The DTVPal additionally
has a checkered history of bad firmware releases
and Dish being generally sleazy and unwilling to honor their warranty.
I don't know if that mess ever really got straightened out.

Good information to have on the record.

On 21 feb, 12:41, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

you can still use them with a digital set top box.
Also the changeover won't affect people with cable Tv.

Roger Blake wrote:
On 2009-02-21, William Sommerwerck wrote:
You can use a converter. However, the converter will have to be manually set
to the desired channel.

Two converters - the Zinwell ZAT-970A and the Dish Network "DTVPal"
offer automatic timers for use with VCRs. Zinwell has 8 timers and
has basic front-panel controls. The DTVPal has 5 timers and the
remote must be used for all functions. I use the Zinwell and it
works quite well.


Hi, Roger;

With the coupons, the converter boxes aren't too bad costwise; but
apparently not all converters can be gotten that way. Do you know if
the Zinwell can be gotten with a coupon? Or to put it another way,
what kind of damage are we looking at without a coupon?

Ron

On 02/22/2009 01:42 AM, Ron sent:

Roger Blake wrote:
On 2009-02-21, William Sommerwerck wrote:
You can use a converter. However, the converter will have to be manually set
to the desired channel.
Two converters - the Zinwell ZAT-970A and the Dish Network "DTVPal"
offer automatic timers for use with VCRs. Zinwell has 8 timers and
has basic front-panel controls. The DTVPal has 5 timers and the
remote must be used for all functions. I use the Zinwell and it
works quite well.


Hi, Roger;

With the coupons, the converter boxes aren't too bad costwise; but
apparently not all converters can be gotten that way. Do you know if
the Zinwell can be gotten with a coupon? Or to put it another way,
what kind of damage are we looking at without a coupon?

Ron

$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?

--
1PW @?6A62?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t]

1PW wrote in message
...
On 02/22/2009 01:42 AM, Ron sent:

Roger Blake wrote:
On 2009-02-21, William Sommerwerck wrote:
You can use a converter. However, the converter will have to be
manually set
to the desired channel.
Two converters - the Zinwell ZAT-970A and the Dish Network "DTVPal"
offer automatic timers for use with VCRs. Zinwell has 8 timers and
has basic front-panel controls. The DTVPal has 5 timers and the
remote must be used for all functions. I use the Zinwell and it
works quite well.


Hi, Roger;

With the coupons, the converter boxes aren't too bad costwise; but
apparently not all converters can be gotten that way. Do you know if
the Zinwell can be gotten with a coupon? Or to put it another way,
what kind of damage are we looking at without a coupon?

Ron

$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?

--
1PW @?6A62?FEH9E=6o2@=]4@ [r4o7t]

Assuming not main recording medium, just a reserve
or second recorder.
In the UK for less than 15 GBP (25 USD presumably)
freeview box ,Asda MDS V3 or similar, added to a spare
otherwise unpowered VCR. Or for recording
2 UHF digital channels concurrently when only one
possible on main recorder.
Can be totally disconnected from the mains and
retains channels, but added an earpiece to confirm
right sort of channel, requires R/C though
to change channels. Or audio compare to a working
TV on same channel.
One great plus for this cheapest of digi-boxes - so far
anyway, it is immune to having the EPG remotely
updated, outside your control, in the middle of
the night when you are recording a film.
With another crap taping next day 20 minutes
of blank recording while a load of graphics laden
ads are inefficiently downloaded because there is no one there
to manually disrupt the default of auto downlaod.
Asda one does not try downloading this crap at
switch on, locking you out for 20 minutes
unless you disable it.


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/

On Feb 21, 3:41*am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days,
but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs
that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

So put a DTV tuner in your PC and have at it. The VCR hardly gets any
use but the HTPC (geek speak for Home Theatre PC) get used lots.
Recorded DTV show pictures - HD or SD - are exactly the same as 'live'
TV. Besides, where will you get tapes? They're going away fast.

G²

With the coupons, the converter boxes aren't too bad costwise; but
apparently not all converters can be gotten that way. Do you know if
the Zinwell can be gotten with a coupon? Or to put it another way,
what kind of damage are we looking at without a coupon?

Ron

$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?

Like someone else said here, I don't particularly care for DVRs
either. Maybe I'm just an old fart who doesn't like change-- and in
fact, I knew there was going to be nothing that I would like about the
21st century; pity that I was right about that. :-)

Ron

On Feb 21, 6:41*am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

wrote:
On Feb 21, 6:41 am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Move on ??????????
Dump about 80 bought titles(Disney,Stargate,Asterix,etc,etc,etc) and
numerous recorded ones?
Or do you have a reliable way of digitizing commercial tapes?
One which avoids the drm mangling?
If so, I would gladly convert, but I estimate 3-6 month hard work.

If not, its worthwhile to keep a VCR around.

Ron wrote:

$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?

Like someone else said here, I don't particularly care for DVRs
either. Maybe I'm just an old fart who doesn't like change-- and in
fact, I knew there was going to be nothing that I would like about the
21st century; pity that I was right about that. :-)

Nothing like having a DVR erase or "lose" a recording before you have a
chance to view it. Never happens with my VCRs.

In article ,
UCLAN wrote:
Nothing like having a DVR erase or "lose" a recording before you have a
chance to view it. Never happens with my VCRs.

VCRs never mangle tapes? Someone records over what you wanted to keep? You
can't find the tape something you want is on?
Of course with good housekeeping those can be minimised - but a PVR does
all that for you.

--
*Acupuncture is a jab well done*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
UCLAN wrote:
Nothing like having a DVR erase or "lose" a recording before you have a
chance to view it. Never happens with my VCRs.

VCRs never mangle tapes? Someone records over what you wanted to keep? You
can't find the tape something you want is on?
Of course with good housekeeping those can be minimised - but a PVR does
all that for you.


PVRs have been established in the US market longer than the UK, but the
majority of those (TiVo, ReplayTV) are seen as devices that only premium
enthusiasts get via subscription on top of another subscription service
like cable or satellite. So general public awareness, acceptance and
casual use for non-subscription sources is probably not that great.

Badly coded software in PVRs is famous for lost recordings, especially
when the hard drive is full and the unit starts it's own housekeeping,
auto removing old recordings. I can imagine that soon the US is going to
be flooded with cheap chinese PVR boxes that do this, and also suffer
heat, excessive fan noise and hard drive failure consistently.

And then there is finger trouble - never yet seen a PVR with separate
login accounts for different users, that would stop, say, little johnny
from erasing (or watching) "basic instinct" that daddy recorded for late
night.

Loads of ordinary folk manage quite well with VCRs and tape
housekeeping, the media is tangible i.e. you can hold it in your hand,
share it with friends or other TV/VCRs in the home, and store locked up
for posterity.

But using VCRs with Digiboxes is a mess.

The problem comes with digiboxes having to be installed just for the
VCR, and arranging *at worst* two sets of timer instructions for the VCR
and the digibox.

In UK/Europe, we have the advantage of pins in the SCART connection
which (sometimes - law of sod permitting) allows the remote start/stop
of the VCR to record programs using settings in the digibox EPG. The
alternative, which I've never seen on digiboxes (though it is used on
other items), but could work universally is to have the digibox emit
infrared commands to control the VCR.

Trying to explain VCR recording from digital for (mostly elderly) folk
who had grown used to setting only one timer (a procedure some find a
struggle with long-sighted glasses, reading glasses, a remote control
with a zillion small buttons, and a horrible on-screen entry method
that times out on inactivity) will mean people getting encumbered with
having to learn another item of new world digital nonsense with similar
usability faults (and multiple remote controls - now three). That is
*if* they actually manage timer recording, and instead sit in with the
TV and press record at the right moment.

PVR - oh no. That's a toy for geeks, technical init? It is going to take
a lot for folk to change ideas. It is the right solution for digital
recording - however it's attitudes to change...

--
Adrian C

wrote:
On Feb 21, 6:41 am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I bought one the other day...at a Goodwill store. It was marked $5.99,
but had a blue price tag. Blue tags were half price that day. It took
a little cleaning; but works just fine....

jak

In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
@i38g2000yqd.googlegroups.com, says...
On Feb 21, 6:41*am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever
been) available on VHS.

In article , krw wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr


Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.

In article ,
says...
In article , krw wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.

In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?


On recorded tapes ???


Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.

In article ,
says...
In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?


On recorded tapes ???

Absolutely! My DVDR refuses to copy prerecorded tapes.

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.

In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.


I actually did some converting and editing a couple years back. Editing
and compiling on a computer is time consuming, allthough
you can take important sections out of tapes and eliminate crap,
time saving when viewing. I bought $650 Sony cancorder that had video inputs
which I connected to the VHS machine, fed by Firewire into the computer.
Wallmart had converters cheap as $80 a couple years back, but after I
started using my Sony. Some VHS converters have a built in hard disk so you can edit
then burn to DVD.

In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days,
but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?


On recorded tapes ???

Absolutely! My DVDR refuses to copy prerecorded tapes.

I guess it records blank tapes !


I said recorded. Not pre recorded.

Who needs to record a bought movie. Get the high resolution DVD.



Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.

In article ,
says...
In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever=20
been) available on VHS.


I actually did some converting and editing a couple years back. Editing
and compiling on a computer is time consuming, allthough
you can take important sections out of tapes and eliminate crap,
time saving when viewing.

Editing certainly is time consuming. Useful, if painful, for
personal video, not so much for commercial tapes.

I bought $650 Sony cancorder that had video inputs
which I connected to the VHS machine, fed by Firewire into the computer.

If I were to do any, I'd rather capture on the computer directly.

Wallmart had converters cheap as $80 a couple years back, but after I
started using my Sony. Some VHS converters have a built in hard disk so you can edit
then burn to DVD.

But refuse to copy some prerecorded tapes. My Lite-On DVD-R throws
up the equivalent of an FBI notice when I tried.

In article ,
says...
In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days,
but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

Copy protection?


On recorded tapes ???

Absolutely! My DVDR refuses to copy prerecorded tapes.

I guess it records blank tapes !

Good grief.

I said recorded. Not pre recorded.

Learn to read.

Who needs to record a bought movie. Get the high resolution DVD.

Learn to read. 1) Not all titles have been made available on DVD.
2) Why should I (have to) buy another copy of what I already have a
license for? 2a) I would, but see 1).

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

Nothing like having a DVR erase or "lose" a recording before you have a
chance to view it. Never happens with my VCRs.

VCRs never mangle tapes? Someone records over what you wanted to keep? You
can't find the tape something you want is on?
Of course with good housekeeping those can be minimised - but a PVR does
all that for you.

Answer for the above: NO, not for me.

A tape can suffer your above scenarios, but it is avoidable by the user.
A DVR erasing or "losing" a recording is random and the fault of the DVR.
No matter how careful a user is, the DVR *will* make recordings go "poof."

Roger Blake wrote:

Of course with good housekeeping those can be minimised - but a PVR does
all that for you.

Don't need a "PVR," "DVR," or whatever other name you want to give those
useless gadgets. VCRs have meet my needs perfectly for decades and I see no
reason to change.

How do you record HD programming? In SD?

krw wrote:

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever
been) available on VHS.

Plus, Panasonic's new DMP-BD70V will upconvert VHS to 1080p via HDMI.

In article , UCLAN wrote:
Ron wrote:

$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?

Like someone else said here, I don't particularly care for DVRs
either. Maybe I'm just an old fart who doesn't like change-- and in
fact, I knew there was going to be nothing that I would like about the
21st century; pity that I was right about that. :-)

Nothing like having a DVR erase or "lose" a recording before you have a
chance to view it. Never happens with my VCRs.

My DVR, a Sony digital TAPE camcorder will not loose a recording but the tape could get
screwed up. Digital tape is also a storage medium.

greg

In article ,
UCLAN wrote:
Don't need a "PVR," "DVR," or whatever other name you want to give
those useless gadgets. VCRs have meet my needs perfectly for decades
and I see no reason to change.

How do you record HD programming? In SD?

If only VHS approached SD...

--
*I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Feb 23, 11:44*am, Roger Blake wrote:
On 2009-02-23, UCLAN wrote:

How do you record HD programming? In SD?

I have no interest in HD programming.

--
* Roger Blake

If you watch major network TV, they're only giving you HD in
primetime. Granted your converter box will down-convert the HD to SD
which you can use with all the older gear.

I assume you've seen HD operating properly. It doesn't do _anything_
for you?

We watched Nature last night on PBS. Those Yellowstone shots sure are
impressive in HD

G²

In article , UCLAN wrote:
krw wrote:

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Great plan, but there are titles that are still only (have ever
been) available on VHS.

Plus, Panasonic's new DMP-BD70V will upconvert VHS to 1080p via HDMI.

Thats interesting. One thing I have been looking into
is converting HDTV to my standard NTSC video input on my Toshiba 36 inch tube TV.
The TV had a great picture and it was more than capable of reproducing
standard definition broadcast and room to spare.

greg

On Feb 23, 1:36*am, Sjouke Burry
wrote:
wrote:
On Feb 21, 6:41 am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron

Who has bought a VCR recently? *The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.
The only good answer is buy a VCR if what you have is worth the cost,
just to convert it digitally, and move on.

Move on ??????????
Dump about 80 bought titles(Disney,Stargate,Asterix,etc,etc,etc) and
numerous recorded ones?
Or do you have a reliable way of digitizing commercial tapes?
One which avoids the drm mangling?
If so, I would gladly convert, but I estimate 3-6 month hard work.

If not, its worthwhile to keep a VCR around.

Hard work? If these videos are worth keeping, they're worth the 2
hours (mostly unattended) to capture to a PC, 5 minutes to cue them
all up in a conversion application for the target output (if the
machine wasn't fast enough to do this in realtime, which modern dual +
core processors easily are, and another few minutes to put onto DVD or
whatever.

What's the alternative? You feel magnetic tape won't degrade sitting
around for years longer?

On Feb 23, 12:53*pm, krw wrote:
In article ,
says...



In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? *The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...57304&findingM...

Copy protection?

On recorded tapes ???

Absolutely! *My DVDR refuses to copy prerecorded tapes.


I recommend using something that doesn't. There are plenty of
computer video capture cards out there which have macrovision disabled
drivers.

On Feb 23, 1:18*pm, krw wrote:
In article ,
says...



In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says....=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days,
but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? *The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...57304&findingM...

Copy protection?

On recorded tapes ???

Absolutely! *My DVDR refuses to copy prerecorded tapes.

I guess it records blank tapes !

Good grief.



I said recorded. Not pre recorded.

Learn to read.

Who needs to record a bought movie. Get the high resolution DVD.

Learn to read. *1) Not all titles have been made available on DVD.
2) Why should I (have to) buy another copy of what I already have a
license for? 2a) I would, but see 1).

Since movies aren't a life necessity, it's hardly important whether
every last one is available on DVD. What if you dupe only those that
aren't available on DVD yourself, or just accept that you don't really
need a library of every movie you've already seen once.

On Feb 23, 12:54*pm, (GregS) wrote:
In article , krw wrote:
In article ,
says...
In article , krw
wrote:
In article fc5e159b-a167-4b49-8205-97b841823391
, says...=20
On Feb 21, 6:41=A0am, Ron wrote:
I rather like the new digital pictures being broadcast these days, but
I have to wonder what is going to happen with all of those VCRs that
people love to set for delayed programming--- andthere are a lot of
folks who do tape shows while away or at work-- when June 12 rolls
around and VCR tuners won't be able to tune into the new digital
signals?

Ron
=20
Who has bought a VCR recently? *The only people who are likely to have
a working vcr today are those who so infrequently use it that it won't
be a great loss.

I have, within the last year.

Granted, I've ignored those who had one fail and have a large/
worthwhile library of existing VHS tapes recorded, but let this be a
wakeup call, that when we are forced to change tech, it's time to make
backups onto the more current media.

How?
=20

VHS to DVD copy machine ??
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...57304&findingM....

Copy protection?

Today, VHS seems such a crude low-res media to use but I realize some
priceless footage may have been shot or saved in that limited format.

In article
,
wrote:
Hard work? If these videos are worth keeping, they're worth the 2
hours (mostly unattended) to capture to a PC, 5 minutes to cue them
all up in a conversion application for the target output (if the
machine wasn't fast enough to do this in realtime, which modern dual +
core processors easily are, and another few minutes to put onto DVD or
whatever.

What's the alternative? You feel magnetic tape won't degrade sitting
around for years longer?

My experience says magnetic tape has rather a longer life than home burned
DVDs, etc. I reckon you're lucky if they last 10 years without developing
errors.

Quite a problem, archiving. So far properly stored film seems to have the
longest life.

--
*Rehab is for quitters.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in message
...
In article
,
wrote:
Hard work? If these videos are worth keeping, they're worth the 2
hours (mostly unattended) to capture to a PC, 5 minutes to cue them
all up in a conversion application for the target output (if the
machine wasn't fast enough to do this in realtime, which modern dual +
core processors easily are, and another few minutes to put onto DVD or
whatever.

What's the alternative? You feel magnetic tape won't degrade sitting
around for years longer?

My experience says magnetic tape has rather a longer life than home burned
DVDs, etc. I reckon you're lucky if they last 10 years without developing
errors.

Quite a problem, archiving. So far properly stored film seems to have the
longest life.


My thoughts exactly on the DVD vs VHS debate. Sure the qulaity isn't there,
but it is passable for watching. Its definately better than youtube.

On Feb 23, 7:48*pm, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

What's the alternative? *You feel magnetic tape won't degrade sitting
around for years longer?

My experience says magnetic tape has rather a longer life than home burned
DVDs, etc. I reckon you're lucky if they last 10 years without developing
errors.

Quite a problem, archiving. So far properly stored film seems to have the
longest life.

Magnetic tape, stored in a good environment, does have good lifespan.
Even so, a lot of tapes are probably several years old at this point
so the remaining alternative is duping back to tape again, or another
method. We can't really know if today's DVDs will last 10 years or
not, since they've not been around 10 years and accelerated testing
tends to use perfect samples and suggests far longer. I would tend to
trust data on a slow burnt DVD more than a CDR since they are encased
on both sides, providing they're not set in strong sunlight a long
time. Either way, a good strategy would be to make two copies, each
on different lot, different brand of media.

Another option these days might be flash storage. Considering the low
resolution of VHS, videos with typical compression shouldn't be very
large, so $1/GB flash prices we're starting to see these days could
allow for reliable storage at reasonable cost (if it's worth backing
up at all, anything that can't be had on a retail DVD). In 10 years
when the flash storage retention rating has expired, flash memory will
be that much cheaper per GB.