Yet another VCR

Found out that my 3 year old VCR sort of kicked the bucket this week. Got a new one to replace it.

This one cost about $60 (from Costco). I sort of remember the previous one cost me under $100 and the ones before that between $150 to $200.

Given my VCR usage it seems that I wear one out every 3 years. Luckly they kept on getting cheaper as time goes on.

I am just wondering 3 years from now if my next VCR will cost around $35 or some other technology will takes it place like maybe a VCR that will store the recordings in RAM like memory.

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I am just wondering 3 years from now if my next VCR will cost around $35

or some other technology will takes it place like maybe a VCR that will

store the recordings in RAM like memory.

There is already Tivo and Replay TV.

Both devices record programs to built in hard drives. You can skip commercials and stuff with these things. They cost considerably more than a VCR and I think require you to subscribe to some kind of service.

Also, these companies are starting to use the machines to automatically record shows for you that you did not program... for example an infomercial that a sponsor is trying to push.

The technology is convenient, but I don't like the push programming and the possibility that the firms through the subscriptions probably monitor what programs you watch and record.

The TV industry hates this stuff because of the ability for you to easily by-pass commercials. They also worry that content could somehow be pirated to the internet.

I suspect that in the not so distant future, after digital TV is adopted, the networks and Hollywood Studios will install technology to prevent you from copying your favorite TV shows to these digital type of devices. And it may be likely they won't make a VCR that will be able to record digital content. This is already true with current VCRs, as you cannot use them to record a DVD.

I remember going into Daiei a little while ago and being stunned to find 4-head brand-name VCRs on sale for $49. Considering we practically had to take out a second mortgage to get our first VCR - a hi-fi tricked-out Sony Betamax at upwards of $500 - it was an incredible illustration of how times change.

The switch to digital from magnetic media is inevitable, but I think will take a while - especially if the current cable companies and content providers are dead set on controlling the experience and shutting out early innovators like Tivo and ReplayTV. If I recall correctly, the next generation of digital cable services demo-ed by Oceanic last week hinted directly at having Tivo-like capability built in to the cable box.

I think VCRs will have a home for a few more years, until digital equivalents come down in price and become more user friendly. To tape a show, it's easy breesy and works. What is definitely "out" is pre-recorded videotapes. The VHS tape sections of Blockbuster and Sears will soon be like the audio tape sections of Tower Records: one sad shelf tucked in a corner.

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