The VCR, unquestionably the world's first popular device that allowed people to record television in their homes, died today in a discount bin at Big W.It was exactly 30 years old at the time of its death. Long suffering from extreme price reductions that resulted in nonexistent profit margins, the VCR's parents finally pulled the plug on their progeny's life support, turning to newer alternatives in DVD and hard disk recorders.
The videocassette recorder leaves behind a legacy of "Be kind, rewind" stickers, shelves sagging with once-watched tapes, frequent trips to the repair shop, and eventually, the dumpster. It will be remembered by its devotees as a source of endless rental movie enjoyment and occasional late fees.
The VCR is survived by its five young offspring (pictured below): the DVD recorder, age 6; the DVD-R/hard disk recorder, age 4; and the combo DVD-R/VCR, age 3 and twin baby step-children the Foxtel iQ and set top box PVR.
 Philips DVDR77 Read review |
Philips' DVDR77 is an attractive DVD recorder that best suits home theatre enthusiasts looking to build a home DVD collection. |
 Sony RDR-HX900 Read review |
Sony's flagship DVD recorder supports a wide range of DVD formats and has a 160GB hard drive that can store up to 204 hours of video. |
 Samsung SV-DVD54T Read review |
Samsung's 3-in-1 combines a digital set top box, DVD player, and VCR in a silver-finished unit. |
 Foxtel iQ Personal Digital Recorder Read review |
Great if you love your Foxtel, but it's not the "ultimate" personal digital recorder solution Australia has been waiting for. |
 Topfield TF5000PVRt (with ICEguide) Read review |
Topfield's 120GB PVR combined with IceTV's EPG allows you to easily create your own 60-hour digital video library of free-to-air television. |
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Peter Gaskin
20/06/2005 07:21 PM
The VCR is far from dead! I dont believe that the dvd recorder is a genuine replacement for the vcr. At present, the replacement is the pvr - but their price is still too high to replace the humble vcr!
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ForzaItalia 1991
06/10/2007 09:50 PM
I couldn't agree with you more Peter, considering at the time you published your comment. I was still able to purchase a decent 6-Head VCR yesterday. How about it, in October 2007, I still see 6-Head VCR in retailers. Fortunately I live within a 1 km radius from Warringah Mall in Sydney's Northern Beaches and many major home entertainment retailers are present.
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ForzaItalia 1991
06/10/2007 09:54 PM
Just elaborating from my previous comment. The VCR which I was able to purchase was a Panasonic NV-HV62, in my opinion probably one of the best domestic standalone VCRs brought to Australia. Paid $100 from Myer yesterday. In fact, I can still find good Video Cassettes from my local post office for a couple of dollars a cassette. Bottom line, VCR has held on to bid 2007 farewell!
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