Wal-Mart will not stop selling VHS tapes in 2006

[Itsme]

From cnet.com this morning.....

VHS life goes on at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart says reports that it will stop selling VHS videotapes in 2006 are absolutely not true. The Hollywood Reporter also said that Target, Best Buy, and Circuit City will stop selling VHS cassettes. No word on whether that's true, but that's the type of scurrilous and shoddy journalism that will only help to...er, hasten the death of an already obsolete technology.

[navyones]

From cnet.com this morning.....

VHS life goes on at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart says reports that it will stop selling VHS videotapes in 2006 are absolutely not true. The Hollywood Reporter also said that Target, Best Buy, and Circuit City will stop selling VHS cassettes. No word on whether that's true, but that's the type of scurrilous and shoddy journalism that will only help to...er, hasten the death of an already obsolete technology.

Okay, Wal-mart says that it will continue to sell VHS. Has anyone been to a Wal-mart lately? If you have, then you know that Wal-mart doesn't even stock VHS tapes anymore. If they have any selection at all, it is a poor selection. While Wal-mart may claim to be supporting the VHS market, it is obvious that they can't or aren't.

I don't fault Wal-mart for this. After all, VHS doesn't seem like a very profitable business anymore.

[Thesifer]

I found them there.. they arent placed in the prime area anymore.. but they are still around.. and a lot of them

[DarkFury]

People still buy VHS tapes other than "blanks" for recording TV shows...

[MikeD]

People still buy VHS tapes other than "blanks" for recording TV shows...

VHS can't have much life left. With DVD recorders becoming super cheap, and with the 50 gig discs coming out, it may be taking its last breathes.

[DarkFury]

VHS can't have much life left. With DVD recorders becoming super cheap, and with the 50 gig discs coming out, it may be taking its last breathes.

Honestly, DVRs may replace the VCR... however until they start sellling them as "stand alone" units with no "service requirements" (i.e. TiVo or ReplayTV) then I think that the VCR will still have a small place on top of the TV set.

Most cheap recorders are a "one shot" deal... however I like to record my shows over and over on the same tape (for when I can't be home to watch them.)

I really want a DVR... but I'm just not ready to give the cable company the extra premium to upgrade yet.

[ialsohaveadream]

Honestly, DVRs may replace the VCR... however until they start sellling them as "stand alone" units with no "service requirements" (i.e. TiVo or ReplayTV) then I think that the VCR will still have a small place on top of the TV set.

Amen. If I could pay $200 for a DVR, but never have to pay a "monthly service fee" (I really don't need their on-screen menu, thanks....I can read a TV guide), I'd be there in a second.

[Thesifer]

I have around 70 or so VHS Tapes.. Im going to offload to the only Used place in town that still buys them.. just to get rid of them.. I missed it a couple months they still paid 1-3$ per tape.. now its only like .25-.50 or so.. but its better than nothing.. Things like Star Wars.. will go on Ebay though.. That still sells for around 11$ or so..

[Itsme]

I agree that being able to buy a DVR with no service charges is ideal. However, I upgraded by cable service to include a DVR and literally it has changed my TV life. During the prime TV viewing season I record all the 10 p.m. programs we like and watch them the next eveing at 8 or 9, or one weekends when nothing we like is on.

Now that all major series are in repeats it makes it even more useful to look for movies and documentaries at off times and record them to watch in prime time the next few days.

For us it more than worth the extra cable service charges.