New technology to replace VHS
Photo by Ed Sum.
Contrary to popular belief, the VHS format is not dead, but it might be replaced with its digital equivalent.
The ability to record and keep television programming is important to some people, so they hang on to their VCRs.
But others have embraced a new technology that does the job digitally.
The personal video recorder (PVR, or DVR, for digital video recorder) is latest TV recording device and many people are jumping onto that bandwagon.
“PVRs are the number-one bestseller right now,” says Carl Parry, sales representative for Atlas Audio Video. “The hottest thing is a high-definition cable box with recording ability.”
These boxes are known as HD-PVR and videophiles can get them through various cable suppliers.
The company provides a unit to allow cable subscribers to tape television shows onto a hard drive for watching later.
To transfer programs to a permanent medium, however, requires a lot of work; people have to be technically savvy or own a DVD-based video recorder.
There are two types of DVD-based recorders. The HDD PVR has a hard-disk drive to record on to and transfer to DVD, and the DVD PVR records directly to a DVD.
According to Parry, the disc-based units are virtually finished in the home-theatre market.
Units can be found, but manufacturer interest in producing more devices has waned since 2007. Sturdier HDD PVRs, which can record in high definition, have become more prominent.
And the PVR is very similar to a VCR in operation. “Everybody from a five-year-old kid to grandma can easily record and retrieve a TV show,” says Parry.
Tony Chu, owner of Tony’s TV, a local electronics repair shop, says it’s still a tough sell convincing the older generation to try new technology, even if it is easy to use.
“Older people are so used to VHS because it’s been in the market for over 20 years. It’s so simple,” says Chu. “My parents still don’t know how to use a DVD player.”
In contrast to what retailers and the industry are saying, Chu still does a lot of VHS servicing, averaging five to 10 units a week.
Despite how many VCRs Chu services, the format is definitely on its way out, and PVRs are now becoming commonplace and being used more and more by all generations.
But for some people who are still holding out, owning a PVR is a huge financial investment, although the prices are a lot cheaper than when the format first hit the market.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated how strong a demand it would be,” says Parry. “The price points have come way down and storage capacity has improved.”
Still, the initial cost, anywhere from $250-$600, depending on the model, can still be a deterrent for a lot of consumers.
“There’s a small population of people that can actually afford a PVR at this point,” says Jen Rundell, clerk at Audio Video Replay. “Until those machines become cheaper I don’t really think they’re making a big effect.”
And for those who still have a bunch of videotapes lying around, Panasonic has a Blu-ray/VHS dual player on the market.
CCSS Nexus promo