Do you still use a VCR?

[corycouger]

How can anyone not have a VCR?

I tape programs and events almost daily.


TIVO has it limits and how many programs you can store before erasing them.


DVD recorders are expensive and are still in the infancy stage.

[Brian Shannon]

Mine is collecting dust.

[tboogie]

I just unhooked mine last weekend because I never use it. I taped the entire season of the Sopranos for my friends stationed overseas and decided that was the last of using my VCR.

[I.Like.It]

I removed my VCR the day my TIVO arrived almost 4 years ago. Haven't looked back since!

[astrochimp]

I still use mine but i heard theres a big price drop upcoming on dvd recorders so when that happens it might be bye bye old vcr :D

[KPlummer]

I threw mine away when I bought my first DVD player. I never recorded things until TIVO came around and I modded mine with 2 x 120gb drives so I always have plenty of space...

[Walter Neff]

I gave my VCR to my girlfriend a while ago. She has more need for it than I do, and if I do need to watch someing that's only on VHS, I can watch it over there.

[68ShelbyGT500KR]

I still use my VCR for taping shows and playing old movies to have some noise in the background as I go to sleep. Otherwise it is the DVD player.

[JM]

Nope. With 3 networked ReplayTVs (2x 40GB + 1x 120GB) and 1 older ReplayTV (120GB), I find there is little need to use my VCR. When I need portability, I just download a show to my PC and burn to (S)VCD or DVD (depending on the show's size).

[RudeBoie]

I just don't record anything anymore.

I've become a DVD snob.

[Mopower]

I have 3 sitting in my closet. With my Replay I can burn anything to DVD so why have a VCR?

[GMLSKIS]

I have 3 vcr's connected to my 3 tv's and tape something every single night.

[Shagrath]

I haven't had a VCR since I got my first dvd player in '98. I also don't TIVO anything since I don't watch TV, or even have cable. I just pick up shows I'm interested in on TV on DVD, that way I don't have to wait a week to see the next installment.

[gotapex]

I use mine as a makeshift shelf.

[OldDude]

I use mine. If it died, I'd probably get a TIVO to replace it. I only use it to time shift programs. While a TIVO would be "nicer," it is not compelling yet for me.

[shelland]

While a TIVO would be "nicer," it is not compelling yet for me.
I always thought a TIVO would be 'nice', but never really had the incentive to buy one. When the GF got a job that required to work a lot of nights, she was having me tape a lot of stuff. I got sick of tracking down blank tapes, and finally decided to try TIVO. About 2 days in, I didn't know how I had ever lived w/o it.

If you watch TV at all, I can't recommend TIVO highly enough. (or another form of DVR, although I don't have experience with any others) It will change your TV watching habits forever!

[xraybies]

I record using my networked Tivo, anything I want to save or give to someone I extract it to my PC and burn it to DVD.

[Chew]

I use to use VCRs for hours on end each night. Since getting a TiVo, I only use it when somebody wants me to tape something for them.

As for "TiVo has its limits": mine holds nearly 250 hours. That's over 30 8-hour tapes. I don't consider that to be much of a limitation. ;)

[fryinpan1]

My DVD player is hooked up to the VCR, so I have to turn the VCR on to watch DVDs. Is there any way to fix this so that I can get rid of the VCR?

[mapson]

Yeah, I still use a vcr, I'm waiting until the hdtv tivos are affordable/available.

[Walter Neff]

Originally posted by fryinpan1
My DVD player is hooked up to the VCR, so I have to turn the VCR on to watch DVDs. Is there any way to fix this so that I can get rid of the VCR?

How about unplugging your VCR and plugging your DVD player directly into your TV? Or is there some nuance to your question that I'm missing?

[fnordboy]

Originally posted by Walter Neff
How about unplugging your VCR and plugging your DVD player directly into your TV? Or is there some nuance to your question that I'm missing?
My guess is he probably only has a coaxial input on his TV. Get an RF Modulator (or better yet a new TV) and you are good to go.

[fnordboy]

Originally posted by shelland
.... finally decided to try TIVO. About 2 days in, I didn't know how I had ever lived w/o it.
:up: I am in the exact same position. I picked up my DirecTV Tivo on Sat. hooked it up and am loving it. I really don't know how I got by without it this long. Normally I jump on new technology, but I always put off on getting a Tivo. I needed to buy a new receiver for DirecTV and decided to upgrade. Glad I did. :)

Everyone who watches TV should have this.

[fryinpan1]

Originally posted by fnordboy
My guess is he probably only has a coaxial input on his TV. Get an RF Modulator (or better yet a new TV) and you are good to go.

I think that is what I have. I am not good with the cables, so as long as they work I am fine. I am waiting to buy a new TV when I buy a house.

[Walter Neff]

Originally posted by fryinpan1
I think that is what I have. I am not good with the cables, so as long as they work I am fine. I am waiting to buy a new TV when I buy a house.

In the meantime, an RF modulator costs only about $15 or so at Radio Shack, and is very easy to install. (If you hooked up for DVD player and VCR, you can hook up an RF modulator.) Or, if you don't want to spend the $15, just leave it the way it is, with your VCR acting as the modulator.

[fryinpan1]

Originally posted by Walter Neff
In the meantime, an RF modulator costs only about $15 or so at Radio Shack, and is very easy to install. (If you hooked up for DVD player and VCR, you can hook up an RF modulator.) Or, if you don't want to spend the $15, just leave it the way it is, with your VCR acting as the modulator.

Thanks for the info. I will just leave it alone for now.

[rkndkn]

Yes, I have 3 VCRs hooked up to the TV. One will hopefully soon be replaced by a DVD recorder. However, since I sometimes tape 3 different things at the same time, 2 of the VCRs will remain hooked up.

[Bru]

NO! :)

[JM]

Originally posted by rkndkn
Yes, I have 3 VCRs hooked up to the TV. One will hopefully soon be replaced by a DVD recorder. However, since I sometimes tape 3 different things at the same time, 2 of the VCRs will remain hooked up.

I have never understood why someone who records this much would want a DVD recorder instead of a ReplayTV (or, to a lesser extent, Tivo). DVD recorders offer primitive scheduling features, still rely on the user to remember to put in a new blank disc as necessary (which is all too frequent given the small capacity of DVD+/-R), and generally offer far less convenience than a ReplayTV/Tivo. If I need to have a show on a DVD+/-R, I can easily transfer it from my ReplayTV to my PC using DVArchive then burn it to DVD. I have 480GB of capacity for recording shows among my 4 ReplayTVs and DVArchive server; and while this is far less than many have, it is still a *lot* of blank DVD discs.

BTW, DVArchive 3.1 was just released. If you have a ReplayTV 4xxx/5xxx and aren't using it, you are really missing out.
http://www.dvarchive.org

[Goldblum]

Yep. Not all movies are on DVD yet.

[Red Dog]

Only to dump occasional stuff off my Replays.

[goatweed]

I have one downstairs that I use semi-often, usually to tape stuff off the analog cable box I have hooked up, like movies for the wife, etc.

I have a S-VHS machine I bought a few years ago upstairs that I use sparingly, mainly because I don't use the living room too often for other than movie watching (DVD's) - I've considered going with the DVR that Time Warner offers (Since I have digital cable upstairs) but currently they only offer DVR boxes that are non-HD - and I love the HD my current box offers. I've looked into Tivo, but not enough to make me consider purchasing it - we really don't tape a lot of TV programming, and most times I can catch what I missed on a weekend, or thru POD, or even torrent ;)

But everyone that I've spoken to that has bought one has said the same thing - "I don't know how I lived before I bought one"

[B.A.]

Unfortunately. :(

[mikerobrewer]

I don't use my VCR too much anymore except for taping football games during the NFL season. I thought seriously about getting a Tivo but balked when I found out that there is a monthly fee.

I would like to get a DVD recorder but the ones with a hard drive are still a bit pricey.

[treszoks]

I still have it but haven't used it since I got my Tivo. A DVR should be a standard part of your home theater.

[steebo777]

I only use mine when absolutely necessary, like watching the OT of Star Wars.

[Steve Phillips]

I still play some old tapes sometimes, but for recording, I haven't used a VCR in over 2 years; everything I record is via a DVD recorder.

[animalmystic]

Until they release the ORIGINAL Star Wars and The Monster Squad on DVD, I will still keep my VCR. :hump:

[Tarantino]

I use mine for recording my old backyard wrestling tapes to the computer, but that's it.

[cultshock]

Yep. Not all movies are on DVD yet.

That's why I won't be ditching my VCRs or LD players anytime soon. :up:

[clckworang]

I still use my VCR some. I use my DVD recorder with hard drive predominantly and use the VCR only to watch something old or to record something rather than what is recording on my DVD recorder.

Anyone interested in a DVD recorder should make sure to get one with a hard drive. That way you don't have to constantly mess up with discs for recording and when you do record on to a disc you can edit and title the program exactly the way you want.

As someone else pointed out, the one disadvantage is that, like a VCR, it is dependent on me setting the timer, but at least I don't have to turn the DVD player off to enable the timer (like on VCRs) and can watch something that I already have stored on the hard drive while it is recording.

[FrankTheTank]

I will rent a VHS when I really wanted to see a movie and they don't have it DVD.

[matome]

Pretty much just for some older porn.

[Patman]

I use my VCR as my main TV tuner when I'm just surfing around, and let my 3 ReplayTVs do all the recording (unless it's a rare night when all 3 are in use, and I want to record a 4th program at the same time.

[Wozza]

Only to tape coronation street ;)

[demonio]

I've been thinking about getting a dvd recorder for a while, I mainly tape wrestling while I watch it (sort of an obsession, I've got every RAW give or take a couple for the past 7 years or so) and space is getting to be a problem, I want to know the basics, as in how much can you record on 1 disc, as in the SLP quality from VCR, I assume theres different modes. Also what are the better models that aren't totally expensive.

Thanks.

[Tony Dvdfan]

I recently realized i don't use mine at all, so i just recently sold my two on ebay. Considering getting a dvd-recorder, also looking for some suggestions.

[Yakuza Bengoshi]

I haven't had a VCR since 2002 and that one was used only a handful of times since I purchased it. I never got into recording things off of TV until I got TIVO, and I never purchased or rented VHS tapes much because they were mostly pan & scan.

[gcbrowni]

I've wanted to remove mine for several years now, but my wife makes me keep it around for the kids tapes.

Between the DVD player and the Tivo I have little use for it.

[PlumPeach]

I still have four vcrs, even though I don't use them much. My favorite is the Hitachi I bought in 1988. It cost over $700! I like to keep it around as a reminder of how technology has changed - especially the pricing.

[gcribbs]

Gave mine away a year ago. I had not turned it on for 3 years before that.

I do not watch much TV although I got a TIVO for free and I find myself using it from time to time.

I honestly have no idea how anyone puts up with a VCR.

[devilpants]

When my younger brother's birthday came around last year I asked him if he'd like a DVD player. He said, "No, but I'd like to get a new VCR!" :lol:
I went to Best Buy and got him the cheapest VCR money could buy because he broke the last two he owned in one year.
Late last year we had a big falling out and he said, "I was gonna make you 10 cool videotapes but because you're such a dick I'm not gonna do it!" :lol: Sure told me!

[Eve Brown]

I tape shows often and am on my second duel deck vcr which makes editing a breeze compared to hooking 2 vcr together. Plus I can get blank tapes for less then a $1 can fit 8 hr or15-17 .5hr shows on a single tape with commericals edited out. I collect the shows when they come to dvd (have 29 tv box sets), but haven't parted with the same episodes i have on tape.

I know the two vcrs where we have a dvd player do not get much use expect for kids tapes. Another 2 vcrs have things run though them a dvd/vcr combo (i know i need a new tv soon as i get a job going) and a video game system. The house has 5 lone vcrs and 2 combos small tv/vcr and a dvd/vcr. Also interesting in getting a dvd recorder when they and the blank media become more resonable.