…video stores were a great thing. Then the Covid Overreaction finally killed them. Family Video: Gone But Not Forgotten, Last Survivor of the Chain Video Stores.
I saw a report that VHS is actually making something of a comeback, although unlike vinyl albums, VHS has absolutely no advantage over DVDs or digitial formats. It’s primarily a nostalgia thing I think.
When husband and I got engaged in the late 1970s he insisted on and bought me a ring (which I really thought a waste of money – it was an antique dinner ring not a solitaire as a settlement of the question – and I knew, it sits in our safe deposit box very rarely worn).
But I insisted on buying him an engagement gift also which I knew would have use much longer the ring – the latest thing – a Beta video recorder. We built up a library of movies on Beta tapes – still have a later Beta recorder (original one eventually died) and the tapes.
When Beta started to die out, he bought a VHS recorder also and we acquired a library of movies on VHS – some are overlaps between the two. Eventually we had a VHS recorder for each of our TVs.
Then it became hard to get tapes due to DVDs. So we also have a DVD player for each TV and an even bigger library of movies on DVD. And, yes, there are favorite movies which we have on all 3 media.
He built a piece for our 18th centuryish decorated living room which looks like what now would be called a hope chest, but instead of the top lifting up, the front pulls down and it has 3 drawers in it for DVD storage. This is a huge piece and easily holds 60+ DVDs in each drawer. Overrun of DVDs are in another piece of furniture also in the living room, another piece in our bedroom and some in our basement.
We are not getting rid of them and we buy more of them. While movies are available online and cable – we can see the movie we want when we want to see it no matter if it is carried by or is available at that point in time by the various services.
kingdiamond69 10 months ago
Can remember waiting in the evening on new release day to see if anyone dropped off the new movies from earlier in the day .
Rhetorical_Question 10 months ago
thevideostoreguy 10 months ago
…video stores were a great thing. Then the Covid Overreaction finally killed them. Family Video: Gone But Not Forgotten, Last Survivor of the Chain Video Stores.
GirlGeek Premium Member 10 months ago
But they could also Netflix and Chill
Tra1nman2 Premium Member 10 months ago
There is one Blockbuster left. It’s in Oregon. I assume they rent DVDs nowadays.
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member 10 months ago
Netflix started as a mail order DVD rental service.
Differentname 10 months ago
Videodrome with Debbi Harry and James Woods is a movie that demands to be watched on a VCR
https://Youtu.be/v8BUXKcp8zE
crookedwolf Premium Member 10 months ago
The house I’m renting still has a VCR player – and a few tapes!
jagedlo 10 months ago
In addition to cars, I wonder if Charlene is skilled in fixing VCR’s…because I don’t see those things last 30-40 years…
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member 10 months ago
I actually think that their idea IS rather romantic myself. Great job Clarence & Charlene!!!!
Ellis97 10 months ago
Always preserve VHS tapes and DVDs. You never know when a streaming service might remove your favorite show or never add it at all.
daisypekin01 10 months ago
(almost)priceless!
sueb1863 10 months ago
I think there’s one Blockbuster still in business somewhere out West.
yangeldf 10 months ago
there IS one last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon; but I have no idea if they still use gift cards
Mike Baldwin creator 10 months ago
I’ve heard about the underwound economy.
joegee 10 months ago
Be Kind. Rewind.
jsimpso1 10 months ago
The cards should still be good at the last remaining Blockbuster store in Bend, OR
BENDblockbuster.COM/ABOUT/
FireAnt_Hater 10 months ago
LOL it’s a win-win.
alexius23 10 months ago
I believe that there is a Blockbuster open in Bend, Oregon
j.l.farmer 10 months ago
How cool is that!!! Great wedding gift!!! Hopefully there are movies that they have never seen!!
djtenltd 10 months ago
Anyone remember when they tried to make laser discs popular? But they never caught on. Too big and cumbersome.
Georgette Washington Bunny 10 months ago
Way to cash in on nostalgia and get rid of old tech.
Aladar30 Premium Member 10 months ago
Last time I’ve in a Blockbuster (probably 12 years ago) they only had DVD.
Laurie Stoker Premium Member 10 months ago
This is really cute! I love this!!!
sueb1863 10 months ago
I saw a report that VHS is actually making something of a comeback, although unlike vinyl albums, VHS has absolutely no advantage over DVDs or digitial formats. It’s primarily a nostalgia thing I think.
mafastore 10 months ago
When husband and I got engaged in the late 1970s he insisted on and bought me a ring (which I really thought a waste of money – it was an antique dinner ring not a solitaire as a settlement of the question – and I knew, it sits in our safe deposit box very rarely worn).
But I insisted on buying him an engagement gift also which I knew would have use much longer the ring – the latest thing – a Beta video recorder. We built up a library of movies on Beta tapes – still have a later Beta recorder (original one eventually died) and the tapes.
When Beta started to die out, he bought a VHS recorder also and we acquired a library of movies on VHS – some are overlaps between the two. Eventually we had a VHS recorder for each of our TVs.
Then it became hard to get tapes due to DVDs. So we also have a DVD player for each TV and an even bigger library of movies on DVD. And, yes, there are favorite movies which we have on all 3 media.
He built a piece for our 18th centuryish decorated living room which looks like what now would be called a hope chest, but instead of the top lifting up, the front pulls down and it has 3 drawers in it for DVD storage. This is a huge piece and easily holds 60+ DVDs in each drawer. Overrun of DVDs are in another piece of furniture also in the living room, another piece in our bedroom and some in our basement.
We are not getting rid of them and we buy more of them. While movies are available online and cable – we can see the movie we want when we want to see it no matter if it is carried by or is available at that point in time by the various services.