No Time Left For VCRs?

R

Ron

Guest
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?
Click to expand...
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 <r...@quik.com> 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
Click to expand...

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
<fc983e4c-0660-433f-b528-862e03db56e5@v39g2000yqm.googlegroups.com>,
Ron <ryon@quik.com> 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?
Click to expand...
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 dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
 
On 2009-02-21, William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:
You can use a converter. However, the converter will have to be manually set
to the desired channel.
Click to expand...
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.

--
Roger Blake
(Subtract 10s for email. "Google Groups" messages killfiled due to spam.)
"Obama dozed while people froze."
 
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.
Click to expand...
Good information to have on the record.
 
On 21 feb, 12:41, Ron <r...@quik.com> 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
Click to expand...
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 <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> 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.
Click to expand...

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 <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> 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
Click to expand...
$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?

--
1PW @?6A62?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]
 
1PW <barcrnahgjuvfgyr@nby.pbz> wrote in message
news:gnrc5q$knn$1@news.motzarella.org...
On 02/22/2009 01:42 AM, Ron sent:

Roger Blake wrote:
On 2009-02-21, William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> 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?FEH9:DE=6o2@=]4@> [r4o7t]
Click to expand...
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 2009-02-22, 1PW <barcrnahgjuvfgyr@nby.pbz> wrote:
$60 - $75. But, wouldn't that be best put towards a DVR purchase?
Click to expand...
Both the Zinwell and DTVPal qualify for the coupon program, both
were close to $40 in cost last time I checked.

I for one have no interest in DVRs and will not purchase one.

--
Roger Blake
(Subtract 10s for email. "Google Groups" messages killfiled due to spam.)
"Obama dozed while people froze."
 
On Feb 21, 3:41 am, Ron <r...@quik.com> 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
Click to expand...
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.

G˛
 
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?
Click to expand...
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
 
emailaddress@insightbb.com wrote:
On Feb 21, 6:41 am, Ron <r...@quik.com> 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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
On Feb 21, 6:41 am, Ron <r...@quik.com> 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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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. :)
Click to expand...
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 <sCrol.32205$cI2.27244@newsfe09.iad>,
UCLAN <nomail@thanks.org> wrote:
Nothing like having a DVR erase or "lose" a recording before you have a
chance to view it. Never happens with my VCRs.
Click to expand...
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 dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
 
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article <sCrol.32205$cI2.27244@newsfe09.iad>,
UCLAN <nomail@thanks.org> 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.
Click to expand...
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
 
On 2009-02-23, Dave Plowman (News) <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
Of course with good housekeeping those can be minimised - but a PVR does
all that for you.
Click to expand...
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.

--
Roger Blake
(Subtract 10s for email. "Google Groups" messages killfiled due to spam.)
"Obama dozed while people froze."
 
emailaddress@insightbb.com wrote:
On Feb 21, 6:41 am, Ron <r...@quik.com> 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,
Click to expand...
but had a blue price tag. Blue tags were half price that day. It took
a little cleaning; but works just fine....

jak
 
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