[Jeffhs]

I have a Panasonic VCR, but I don't use it very much since getting an LG Blu-ray player a few years ago (I have one older Memorex DVD player in storage, but bought the Blu-ray when that format was becoming popular; turns out to be one of the best things I ever did). I use the VCR strictly to play back old VHS tapes (I have about 60 such cassettes), mostly old ('60s-'80s) TV series and movies. The rest of my favorite shows are on DVD.

The VCR is used so seldom I expect it to last at least a few more years. My Panasonic PV-4022 VCR has no belts to stretch or break (strictly gear drive), so that's another reason I'm thinking the unit will last me quite a while; yet a third is that I am slowly replacing my VHS collection with DVDs.

I see a day coming when the only VHS tapes I'll have left will be those of programs or movies I cannot find on DVD or Blu-ray. My Blu-ray player may (probably will) get very light use from now on anyway, since my Roku player allows me access to Netflix; just click on the Netflix icon on the home screen and, if you have a subscription to the service (as I do; I've had such a subscription for some time, and I use it often), you can watch any title in their library at will.

I was not surprised to see, on ZDNet.com, the announcement that the VCR (and the VHS video format) was just about dead, and in fact will be after this month. VHS was an excellent format in its day, but time and technology march on, making it obsolete. Most existing VCRs are probably being used these days just to watch old tapes, not to record, since VCRs cannot tune to DTV digital subchannels without a cable box.

Recording TV programs is not yet illegal, but the manufacturers of VHS/DVD players are required to omit RF tuners so that TV programs cannot easily be recorded. There is a law on the books now, the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), which was enacted to stop illegal recording of TV shows (where the intent is to sell the tapes after they are recorded).

Long before the DMCA was enacted, there was an announcement TV stations used to make at sign on and sign off that stated, in no uncertain terms, that TV shows must not be recorded or otherwise copied, or that monetary charges, i. e. admission and/or cover charges, must not be made for viewing of such programs in public places such as bars, taverns, etc. The announcement went (in part) like this: "The programs broadcast by this station may not be used for any purpose except exhibition at the time of their broadcast . . ." This means, of course, that the shows were meant to be viewed only at the time the TV stations or networks aired them; time shifting, using VTRs (video tape recorders) was not allowed. If you missed a show, too bad.

The omission of RF tuners on all new VHS/DVD players is meant to force people to buy the DVD of any program they want to keep. The goal is to eventually stop home recording of television programs, which could be a violation of copyright laws. With just about everything being trademarked these days and movie/TV production companies becoming increasingly protective of their products, I would not be one bit surprised if recording TV programs is eventually declared illegal.