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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217028 is a reply to message #217020] |
Wed, 08 January 2014 14:51   |
Michael Black
Messages: 2799
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wed, 8 Jan 2014, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> The majority of Americans still own a VCR, according to a Gallup poll
> released during CES. In fact, at 58 percent, more Americans own a VCR
> than own a desktop computer (57 percent) or tablet (38 percent).
>
> http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/forget-4k-tvs-most-america ns-still-own-vcr-2D11876842
>
But are they using them?
I only got a VCR after I got a DVD player in the fall of 2003. But
getting the DVD player caused me to look at prerecorded movies for the
first time, and I saw that VHS was getting cheap, since it was on its
way out.
So I got a VCR for $20 at a garage sale, in a box with manual and the
remote. And then I started buying used VHS movies at book sales and
garage sales. I must have more VHS movies than DVDs; I'd prefer the
latter but when I can get a movie for a dollar or less, I'm not picky.
And DVDs haven't hit the used market the same way yet, and an obscure
movie is more likely to be found used on VHS.
I actually have brought home a few VCRs, found in the garbage, as people
tossed them. Once I started building up the stock of VHS movies, I wantes
some backup.
Of course, when Canada went to DTV in 2011, I gave up using a VCR to
record things, since I don't have cable there's nothing for the analog
VCRs to record anymore.
I suppose if people have analog coming from cable or satellite box, they
could still be using VCRs. And likely not everyone gave up on VCRs when
DVDs came along, so they continue to watch their movies on the VCR.
But I can also imagine some people keeping their VCR around just because,
and yet not using it.
Michael
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217041 is a reply to message #217028] |
Wed, 08 January 2014 16:21 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 2:51:28 PM UTC-5, Michael Black wrote:
> But are they using them?
I use mine all the time, and know other people who do so, too.
My primary use is time-shifting, where I record something to watch later at a convenient time.
A second use is archiving. If I like what I recorded, I simply save the tape.
A third use is viewing commercial tapes. While they aren't made anymore, I have a collection of films and documentaries and I'm not about to throw it out or pay to re-purchase on DVD. (One thing I've collected are industrial promotional films made by companies in the 1950s and 1960s and reproduced on VHS by specialty makers.)
A fourth use are home movies made with a video camera. Some families have quite a collection of their children growing up, special events, etc. My sister recorded talks by my parents, aunts, and uncles about their lives, which is good to have now that they're gone.
Admittedly, a VHS tape does not have the quality of digital (DVD), especially older tapes. It's just like s sequential tape file, where the tape must be run through to get to something recorded in the middle. VCRs have a lot of delicate moving parts so their working life is limited. But for the time being my tape collection is functional and useful.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217071 is a reply to message #217026] |
Wed, 08 January 2014 20:34 |
Roger Blake
Messages: 167
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 2014-01-08, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
> But how many of them actually use them anymore ?
I use them pretty much on a daily basis.
--
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------
Roger Blake (Change "invalid" to "com" for email. Google Groups killfiled.)
The NSA by its actions has shredded the 4th Amendment of the Constitution
and has essentially declared war on the American people. Put the NSA leaders
on trial for treason, and upon being found guilty, publicly execute them to
send a strong message. God bless Ed Snowden! Death to NSA thugs!
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217075 is a reply to message #217073] |
Wed, 08 January 2014 21:40 |
Roger Blake
Messages: 167
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
--
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------
Roger Blake (Change "invalid" to "com" for email. Google Groups killfiled.)
The NSA by its actions has shredded the 4th Amendment of the Constitution
and has essentially declared war on the American people. Put the NSA leaders
on trial for treason, and upon being found guilty, publicly execute them to
send a strong message. God bless Ed Snowden! Death to NSA thugs!
------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217084 is a reply to message #217075] |
Wed, 08 January 2014 22:59 |
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Originally posted by: Joe51a
"Roger Blake" <rogblake@iname.invalid> wrote in message
news:20140108213837@news.eternal-september.org...
> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>
> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
> to timeshift broadcast television.
I find it much more convenient to do it on a PC
and record it to hard drive. Since I don't watch
anything live anymore, not even the main TV
news, that allows me to record as many
channels simultaneously as I like.
(This stuff would probably not work
> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
Yeah, I do that too. I don't have the time to watch all
the stuff on free to air TV. I mostly watch docos, with
a little bit of the best fiction like Foyle's War.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217085 is a reply to message #217075] |
Wed, 08 January 2014 23:15 |
Michael Black
Messages: 2799
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Thu, 9 Jan 2014, Roger Blake wrote:
> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>
> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>
We didn't have any "free dtv converter" offer here in Canada. I ended up
buying a new tv set (my first new one since 1982), deciding if I was
paying X for the converter, might as well spend not that much more and get
closed captioning and an LCD tv, and something bigger to boot.
I keep hoping to find a DTV converter at a garage sale, but no luck yet.
I dont' think they were that common here in Canada. But they would be
convenient with a VCR, to record with any level of quality programs when
I'm not home, or if i'm watching something else.
Michael
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217093 is a reply to message #217085] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 04:12 |
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Originally posted by: Joe51a
"Michael Black" <et472@ncf.ca> wrote in message
news:alpine.LNX.2.02.1401082311180.9496@darkstar.example.org...
> On Thu, 9 Jan 2014, Roger Blake wrote:
>
>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>
>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>
> We didn't have any "free dtv converter" offer here in Canada. I ended up
> buying a new tv set (my first new one since 1982), deciding if I was
> paying X for the converter, might as well spend not that much more and get
> closed captioning and an LCD tv, and something bigger to boot.
>
> I keep hoping to find a DTV converter at a garage sale, but no luck yet. I
> dont' think they were that common here in Canada. But they would be
> convenient with a VCR, to record with any level of quality programs when
> I'm not home, or if i'm watching something else.
It can be much better value to get a DTV tuner card or USB tuner for the PC
and record it that way.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217110 is a reply to message #217075] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 08:01 |
Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>
> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>
One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
sure I get it all.
--
Pete
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217112 is a reply to message #217110] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 08:16 |
Andy Burns
Messages: 416
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Peter Flass wrote:
> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>
>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze.
>
> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
> sure I get it all.
We have such a system called Accurate Record in the UK, the
uk.tech.digital-tv group has plenty of reports from people saying "works
for me" in response to people asking "why didn't it record?".
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217113 is a reply to message #217110] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 08:41 |
Stephen Wolstenholme
Messages: 231
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:01:49 -0500, Peter Flass
<Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>
>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>
>
> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
> sure I get it all.
My old Panasonic HD recorder has that facility built in as standard.
It can be set to record many different program but only one at a time
as it only has one tuner. More modern ones have more than one tuner
and so can record more than one program at the same time.
Steve
--
Neural Planner Software http://www.npsnn.com
EasyNN-plus neural network software http://www.easynn.com
SwingNN prediction software http://www.swingnn.com
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217131 is a reply to message #217110] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 09:35 |
GreyMaus[1]
Messages: 1140
Registered: February 2013
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 2014-01-09, Peter Flass <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>
>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>
>
> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
> sure I get it all.
>
That relates to a deeper problem, in that they really dont want you
recording their stuff at all. It wwould be trivial to broadcast a `tag'
that would allow your video recorder to start or stop, at one point I
think they did with the local stations here, but selling advertising is
the main purpose of the broadcasts, and anything that interferes with
that is disallowed.
As the only thing I have any interest in watching is sports, I would
be mad as hell if a match broadcast was stopped on account of time.
--
maus
.
.
....
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217134 is a reply to message #217131] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 10:07 |
Stephen Wolstenholme
Messages: 231
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 9 Jan 2014 14:35:17 GMT, greymausg <maus@mail.com> wrote:
> On 2014-01-09, Peter Flass <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
>> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>>
>>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>>
>>
>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>> sure I get it all.
>>
>
> That relates to a deeper problem, in that they really dont want you
> recording their stuff at all. It wwould be trivial to broadcast a `tag'
> that would allow your video recorder to start or stop, at one point I
> think they did with the local stations here, but selling advertising is
> the main purpose of the broadcasts, and anything that interferes with
> that is disallowed.
>
> As the only thing I have any interest in watching is sports, I would
> be mad as hell if a match broadcast was stopped on account of time.
The main TV channels in the UK broadcast start and stop signals so any
smart recorder can handle "moving" programs. The signals are inclusive
of the adverts and so the advertisers can't complain too much. With
any recording method since VCR it's simple to skip over the adverts. I
can't remember the least time I actually watched a TV advert but
"sponsors" are a bit more difficult to skip!
Steve
--
Neural Planner Software http://www.npsnn.com
EasyNN-plus neural network software http://www.easynn.com
SwingNN prediction software http://www.swingnn.com
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217145 is a reply to message #217110] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 11:44 |
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Originally posted by: Joe51a
"Peter Flass" <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:lam6e1$ldp$1@dont-email.me...
> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>
>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>
>
> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I want
> to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost" gets
> delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR synched.
> As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed 15 min or so,
> so I have to also record the following program to make sure I get it all.
DTV does have EPG. The problem is that that isnt always updated
in real time for situations like that. It isnt always updated when
some major unexpected event shows up and wrecks the schedule.
One real advantage of something better than a VCR is that you
can do things the other way, record it all and then find what you
want in the stream. But the other thing we now have is that
most of the better systems have the stuff available online
once its been broadcast too, so you don't need to record at all.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217146 is a reply to message #217113] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 11:48 |
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Originally posted by: Joe51a
"Stephen Wolstenholme" <easynn@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:l49tc9p7h9qcgu55i86pl861ssm03gn9sn@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:01:49 -0500, Peter Flass
> <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>>
>>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>>
>>
>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>> sure I get it all.
>
> My old Panasonic HD recorder has that facility built in as standard.
> It can be set to record many different program but only one at a time
> as it only has one tuner. More modern ones have more than one tuner
> and so can record more than one program at the same time.
And the best of the capture card based systems treat the streams
which usually have multiple channels on them as one entity, so
all you need is say a couple of quad cards and you can record
everything that is broadcast if you need to, say with some
major event like 9/11 or an election so you can go thru the
lot if you want to after the event.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217151 is a reply to message #217056] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 12:11 |
Charlie Gibbs
Messages: 5313
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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In article <lakntf$uuu$1@dont-email.me>, Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com
(Peter Flass) writes:
> On 1/8/2014 2:13 PM, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
>
>> The majority of Americans still own a VCR, according to a Gallup poll
>> released during CES. In fact, at 58 percent, more Americans own a VCR
>> than own a desktop computer (57 percent) or tablet (38 percent).
>>
>> http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/forget-4k-tvs-most-america ns-still-own-v
>> cr-2D11876842
>
> Doesn't surprise me - I still have one, though I haven't used it in
> years. I have a few irreplaceable things on VHS tape that I haven't
> bothered to convert to DVD. In fact, my wedding video is on VHS,
> converted from super-8. About the time DVDs are being replaced by
> organic memories I'll probably convert to DVD :-)
We too still have VCRs, but seldom use them. Our wedding video (1989)
is on VHS, but I more often refer to the "organic memories" in my head.
--
/~\ cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid (Charlie Gibbs)
\ / I'm really at ac.dekanfrus if you read it the right way.
X Top-posted messages will probably be ignored. See RFC1855.
/ \ HTML will DEFINITELY be ignored. Join the ASCII ribbon campaign!
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217283 is a reply to message #217134] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 15:42 |
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Originally posted by: Ibmekon
On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:07:46 +0000, Stephen Wolstenholme
<steve@easynn.com> wrote:
> On 9 Jan 2014 14:35:17 GMT, greymausg <maus@mail.com> wrote:
>
>> On 2014-01-09, Peter Flass <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>>>> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> > I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>>>
>>>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>>>> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>>>> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>>>> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>>>
>>>
>>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>>> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>>> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>>> sure I get it all.
>>>
>>
>> That relates to a deeper problem, in that they really dont want you
>> recording their stuff at all. It wwould be trivial to broadcast a `tag'
>> that would allow your video recorder to start or stop, at one point I
>> think they did with the local stations here, but selling advertising is
>> the main purpose of the broadcasts, and anything that interferes with
>> that is disallowed.
>>
>> As the only thing I have any interest in watching is sports, I would
>> be mad as hell if a match broadcast was stopped on account of time.
>
> The main TV channels in the UK broadcast start and stop signals so any
> smart recorder can handle "moving" programs. The signals are inclusive
> of the adverts and so the advertisers can't complain too much. With
> any recording method since VCR it's simple to skip over the adverts. I
> can't remember the least time I actually watched a TV advert but
> "sponsors" are a bit more difficult to skip!
>
> Steve
My satellite box is of course Unix based - using Open PLI, open source
set-top box software.
When watching an encrypted channel the adverts come on - unencrypted.
Would love someone to hack it - using this as a trigger to switch to a
non-ad channel for the duration.
Carl Goldsworthy
Civil servant - someone with too little to do, and too much time to do
it in.
Alias - someone who is neither a servant or civil.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217290 is a reply to message #217283] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 16:05 |
Walter Banks
Messages: 1000
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Ibmekon wrote:
> On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:07:46 +0000, Stephen Wolstenholme
> <steve@easynn.com> wrote:
>
>> On 9 Jan 2014 14:35:17 GMT, greymausg <maus@mail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On 2014-01-09, Peter Flass <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>>>> > On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>>> >
>>>> > I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>>> > makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>>>> > timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>>>> > to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>>>> > well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>>>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>>>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>>>> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>>>> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>>>> sure I get it all.
>>>>
>>>
>>> That relates to a deeper problem, in that they really dont want you
>>> recording their stuff at all. It wwould be trivial to broadcast a `tag'
>>> that would allow your video recorder to start or stop, at one point I
>>> think they did with the local stations here, but selling advertising is
>>> the main purpose of the broadcasts, and anything that interferes with
>>> that is disallowed.
>>>
>>> As the only thing I have any interest in watching is sports, I would
>>> be mad as hell if a match broadcast was stopped on account of time.
>>
>> The main TV channels in the UK broadcast start and stop signals so any
>> smart recorder can handle "moving" programs. The signals are inclusive
>> of the adverts and so the advertisers can't complain too much. With
>> any recording method since VCR it's simple to skip over the adverts. I
>> can't remember the least time I actually watched a TV advert but
>> "sponsors" are a bit more difficult to skip!
>>
>> Steve
>
> My satellite box is of course Unix based - using Open PLI, open source
> set-top box software.
>
> When watching an encrypted channel the adverts come on - unencrypted.
>
> Would love someone to hack it - using this as a trigger to switch to a
> non-ad channel for the duration.
The providers have this covered, all the ads happen at the same time.
w..
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217295 is a reply to message #217290] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 16:47 |
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Originally posted by: Ibmekon
On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 16:05:54 -0500, Walter Banks
<walter@bytecraft.com> wrote:
>
>
> Ibmekon wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 09 Jan 2014 15:07:46 +0000, Stephen Wolstenholme
>> <steve@easynn.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On 9 Jan 2014 14:35:17 GMT, greymausg <maus@mail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 2014-01-09, Peter Flass <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>> > On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>>>> >> On 2014-01-09, Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>>> >> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes with
>>>> >> timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most convenient way
>>>> >> to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not work
>>>> >> well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>>> >>
>>>> >
>>>> > One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>>>> > want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>>>> > gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>>>> > synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>>>> > 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>>>> > sure I get it all.
>>>> >
>>>>
>>>> That relates to a deeper problem, in that they really dont want you
>>>> recording their stuff at all. It wwould be trivial to broadcast a `tag'
>>>> that would allow your video recorder to start or stop, at one point I
>>>> think they did with the local stations here, but selling advertising is
>>>> the main purpose of the broadcasts, and anything that interferes with
>>>> that is disallowed.
>>>>
>>>> As the only thing I have any interest in watching is sports, I would
>>>> be mad as hell if a match broadcast was stopped on account of time.
>>>
>>> The main TV channels in the UK broadcast start and stop signals so any
>>> smart recorder can handle "moving" programs. The signals are inclusive
>>> of the adverts and so the advertisers can't complain too much. With
>>> any recording method since VCR it's simple to skip over the adverts. I
>>> can't remember the least time I actually watched a TV advert but
>>> "sponsors" are a bit more difficult to skip!
>>>
>>> Steve
>>
>> My satellite box is of course Unix based - using Open PLI, open source
>> set-top box software.
>>
>> When watching an encrypted channel the adverts come on - unencrypted.
>>
>> Would love someone to hack it - using this as a trigger to switch to a
>> non-ad channel for the duration.
>
> The providers have this covered, all the ads happen at the same time.
>
> w..
On a manual basis, I switch to Aunty Beeb and Music channels - just
would like to automate it.
The standard timing means I instinctively know when to click back.
My tuner has multiple versions of several channels I watch.
I override the automatic Irish selection - and put the UK version in
my Bouquet - so I get adverts for stuff I cannot buy.
I suffer from an adverse reaction to adverts - resulting in a
Tourette's syndrome style onslaught on the innocent TV.
Carl Goldsworthy.
Civil servant - someone with too little to do, and too much time to do
it in.
Alias - someone who is neither a servant or civil.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217411 is a reply to message #217290] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 18:49 |
Rod Speed
Messages: 3507
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
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Walter Banks <walter@bytecraft.com> wrote
> Ibmekon wrote
>> Stephen Wolstenholme <steve@easynn.com> wrote
>>> greymausg <maus@mail.com> wrote
>>>> Peter Flass <Peter_Flass@Yahoo.com> wrote
>>>> > Roger Blake wrote
>>>> >> Joe51a <Joe51a@gmail.com> wrote
>>>> >>> I haven't used mine since we got DTV, years ago now.
>>>> >> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>>> >> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze. Also some DTV converter boxes
>>>> >> with timers to work with older VCRs. I still find it the most
>>>> >> convenient
>>>> >> way to timeshift broadcast television. (This stuff would probably not
>>>> >> work well with cable TV, but I'm still using a rooftop aerial.)
>>>> > One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>>>> > want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and
>>>> > "Lost"
>>>> > gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>>>> > synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>>>> > 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>>>> > sure I get it all.
>>>> That relates to a deeper problem, in that they really dont want you
>>>> recording their stuff at all. It wwould be trivial to broadcast a `tag'
>>>> that would allow your video recorder to start or stop, at one point I
>>>> think they did with the local stations here, but selling advertising is
>>>> the main purpose of the broadcasts, and anything that interferes with
>>>> that is disallowed.
>>>> As the only thing I have any interest in watching is sports, I would
>>>> be mad as hell if a match broadcast was stopped on account of time.
>>> The main TV channels in the UK broadcast start and stop signals so any
>>> smart recorder can handle "moving" programs. The signals are inclusive
>>> of the adverts and so the advertisers can't complain too much. With
>>> any recording method since VCR it's simple to skip over the adverts. I
>>> can't remember the least time I actually watched a TV advert but
>>> "sponsors" are a bit more difficult to skip!
>> My satellite box is of course Unix based - using
>> Open PLI, open source set-top box software.
>> When watching an encrypted channel the adverts come on - unencrypted.
>> Would love someone to hack it - using this as a trigger
>> to switch to a non-ad channel for the duration.
> The providers have this covered,
Nope.
> all the ads happen at the same time.
If they did, you'd get the ads appearing
right in the middle of words and you
don't, particularly with movies and sport.
And you could use the triggers to not record the
ads or mute the sound anyway even if they did.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217414 is a reply to message #217112] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 19:12 |
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Originally posted by: Simple Simon
"Andy Burns" <usenet.jan2013@adslpipe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:rO2dnd1ZgruMPFPPnZ2dnUVZ8hGdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
> Peter Flass wrote:
>
>> On 1/8/2014 9:40 PM, Roger Blake wrote:
>>
>>> I have a combo DVD/VCR unit with built-in DTV tuner and timer that
>>> makes taping DTV broadcasts a breeze.
>>
>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>> synched. As it is now I have a couple of shows that are often delayed
>> 15 min or so, so I have to also record the following program to make
>> sure I get it all.
> We have such a system called Accurate Record in the UK,
Did you get the name right ? No hits with wikipedia or with google either.
the
> uk.tech.digital-tv group has plenty of reports from people saying "works
> for me" in response to people asking "why didn't it record?".
>
>
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217633 is a reply to message #217283] |
Thu, 09 January 2014 22:26 |
Charlie Gibbs
Messages: 5313
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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In article <hm1uc9pnvvs15c99jlsfq9gea46jn8p3hs@4ax.com>, Ibmekon
(Ibmekon) writes:
> My satellite box is of course Unix based - using Open PLI, open source
> set-top box software.
>
> When watching an encrypted channel the adverts come on - unencrypted.
>
> Would love someone to hack it - using this as a trigger to switch to a
> non-ad channel for the duration.
Or turn off the recorder.
> Civil servant - someone with too little to do, and too much time to do
> it in.
> Alias - someone who is neither a servant or civil.
Q: Why doesn't a civil servant look out the window in the morning?
A: He's have nothing to do in the afternoon.
--
/~\ cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid (Charlie Gibbs)
\ / I'm really at ac.dekanfrus if you read it the right way.
X Top-posted messages will probably be ignored. See RFC1855.
/ \ HTML will DEFINITELY be ignored. Join the ASCII ribbon campaign!
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217848 is a reply to message #217414] |
Fri, 10 January 2014 02:44 |
Andy Burns
Messages: 416
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
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Simple Simon wrote:
> "Andy Burns" <usenet.jan2013@adslpipe.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> Peter Flass wrote:
>>
>>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and "Lost"
>>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>>> synched.
>>
>> We have such a system called Accurate Record in the UK,
>
> Did you get the name right ? No hits with wikipedia or with google either.
I don't know if it has a different technical name buried in the specs,
AFAIK you have to pay the DTG to see the D-books anyway, but "Accurate
Record", or sometimes "Accurate Recording" is certainly a marketing
bumph term ...
http://google.com/search?q="accurate+record"+freeview+site:uk
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #217853 is a reply to message #217848] |
Fri, 10 January 2014 03:46 |
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Originally posted by: Simple Simon
"Andy Burns" <usenet.jan2013@adslpipe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Q_ednbB8sJZ2OVLPnZ2dnUVZ8hudnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
> Simple Simon wrote:
>
>> "Andy Burns" <usenet.jan2013@adslpipe.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> Peter Flass wrote:
>>>
>>>> One thing I'd like to see is real-time schedule updates. If I say I
>>>> want to record "Lost" (I'm obviously lost in a timewarp here) and
>>>> "Lost"
>>>> gets delayed because a football game ran over. I'd like to have my DVR
>>>> synched.
>>>
>>> We have such a system called Accurate Record in the UK,
>>
>> Did you get the name right ? No hits with wikipedia or with google
>> either.
>
> I don't know if it has a different technical name buried in the specs,
> AFAIK you have to pay the DTG to see the D-books anyway, but "Accurate
> Record", or sometimes "Accurate Recording" is certainly a marketing bumph
> term ...
>
> http://google.com/search?q="accurate+record"+freeview+site:uk
Thanks.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #218072 is a reply to message #217134] |
Fri, 10 January 2014 08:09 |
Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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On 1/9/2014 10:07 AM, Stephen Wolstenholme wrote:
> I can't remember the least time I actually watched a TV advert but
> "sponsors" are a bit more difficult to skip!
>
There are a few I actually enjoy. While I'm fast-forwarding I'll stop
to watch the ad. There aren't many, but there are a few. It's too bad
the advertisers don't get a record of this, most of them could use the
feedback. I'd love to get rid of the shouting car salesman - when I'm
watching live I mute him if the remote is handy.
--
Pete
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #218073 is a reply to message #217145] |
Fri, 10 January 2014 08:12 |
Peter Flass
Messages: 8375
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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On 1/9/2014 11:44 AM, Joe51a wrote:
>
> One real advantage of something better than a VCR is that you
> can do things the other way, record it all and then find what you
> want in the stream. But the other thing we now have is that
> most of the better systems have the stuff available online
> once its been broadcast too, so you don't need to record at all.
My system as "prime time on demand" that offers programs shortly after
they're broadcast. I've also used that once or twice, but they don't
have everything.
--
Pete
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #218183 is a reply to message #217633] |
Fri, 10 January 2014 08:50 |
Michael Black
Messages: 2799
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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On Thu, 9 Jan 2014, Charlie Gibbs wrote:
> In article <hm1uc9pnvvs15c99jlsfq9gea46jn8p3hs@4ax.com>, Ibmekon
> (Ibmekon) writes:
>
>> My satellite box is of course Unix based - using Open PLI, open source
>> set-top box software.
>>
>> When watching an encrypted channel the adverts come on - unencrypted.
>>
>> Would love someone to hack it - using this as a trigger to switch to a
>> non-ad channel for the duration.
>
> Or turn off the recorder.
>
About fifteen years ago, the CBC here in Canada would put something on
screen to indicate an upcoming commercial. I think I saw it because that
COmmodore monitor I was using with a VCR as a tv set displayed more than
the average tv set. There was a white block in the upper right corner and
it would appear as an ad approached, and then do something to indicate
"here's the ad". It was reliable. But then I switched monitors, and I no
longer saw it.
Michael
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #222821 is a reply to message #217113] |
Tue, 14 January 2014 15:17 |
Alan Bowler
Messages: 185
Registered: July 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On 1/9/2014 8:41 AM, Stephen Wolstenholme wrote:
> My old Panasonic HD recorder has that facility built in as standard.
> It can be set to record many different program but only one at a time
> as it only has one tuner. More modern ones have more than one tuner
> and so can record more than one program at the same time.
My Panasonic DVR does (did?) have a feature to record a program
base on a cable supplied schedule. Unfortunately, this was
the TV Guide (TM) schedule, was has stopped being being supplied.
(TV Guide went kaput.)
Worse the DVR also got its clock setting from the TV Guide signal,
and now won't let me set the clock. It's stuck on daylight time,
and has drifted about 12 minutes from that. Since it once had
a TV Guide feed, it now thinks that the it just needs for that
to reappear, and has disabled the clock setting in the menu.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #225303 is a reply to message #222818] |
Wed, 15 January 2014 14:04 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Tuesday, January 14, 2014 2:22:48 PM UTC-5, Charlton Wilbur wrote:
> Well, hell, *I* own a VCR. I've moved twice since the last time I used
> it, though, and I have no idea whether it still works.
Well, by now it's obvious the original question was phrased wrong. It should not have been "who owns a VCR", but rather "who still uses a VCR". Undoubtedly the number of actual users would be far lower than mere owners. But I still think a significant number of people still use their VCR.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #225304 is a reply to message #218183] |
Wed, 15 January 2014 14:06 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Friday, January 10, 2014 8:50:00 AM UTC-5, Michael Black wrote:
> About fifteen years ago, the CBC here in Canada would put something on
> screen to indicate an upcoming commercial. I think I saw it because that
> COmmodore monitor I was using with a VCR as a tv set displayed more than
> the average tv set. There was a white block in the upper right corner and
> it would appear as an ad approached, and then do something to indicate
> "here's the ad". It was reliable. But then I switched monitors, and I no
> longer saw it.
Yes, it sounds like your monitor managed to access something not normally seen by the ordinary viewer. There are such signals used for various purposes.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #225305 is a reply to message #222821] |
Wed, 15 January 2014 14:10 |
hancock4
Messages: 6746
Registered: December 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Tuesday, January 14, 2014 3:17:29 PM UTC-5, Alan Bowler wrote:
> My Panasonic DVR does (did?) have a feature to record a program
> base on a cable supplied schedule. Unfortunately, this was
> the TV Guide (TM) schedule, was has stopped being being supplied.
> (TV Guide went kaput.)
TV Guide is still around, both in print and electronic form. Our cable carrier uses a TV Guide supplied grid.
Our [greedy] cable carrier provides a DVR service, for $15/month, and thus encourages its subscribers to get that rather than use their own machine.
> Worse the DVR also got its clock setting from the TV Guide signal,
> and now won't let me set the clock. It's stuck on daylight time,
> and has drifted about 12 minutes from that. Since it once had
> a TV Guide feed, it now thinks that the it just needs for that
> to reappear, and has disabled the clock setting in the menu.
That's weird. perhaps you could write the manufacturer and complain, because a valid clock the DVR is basically worthless.
My VCR can be optionally set from a TV signal, but that never worked right and I always set it manually myself.
My cellphone has time of day (no seconds) without any user control of it, but so far it's been accurate.
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| Re: Most Americans still own a VCR [message #225415 is a reply to message #225305] |
Wed, 15 January 2014 14:50 |
Michael Black
Messages: 2799
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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On Wed, 15 Jan 2014, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> On Tuesday, January 14, 2014 3:17:29 PM UTC-5, Alan Bowler wrote:
>
>> My Panasonic DVR does (did?) have a feature to record a program
>> base on a cable supplied schedule. Unfortunately, this was
>> the TV Guide (TM) schedule, was has stopped being being supplied.
>> (TV Guide went kaput.)
>
> TV Guide is still around, both in print and electronic form. Our cable carrier uses a TV Guide supplied grid.
>
> Our [greedy] cable carrier provides a DVR service, for $15/month, and thus encourages its subscribers to get that rather than use their own machine.
>
>
>
>
>> Worse the DVR also got its clock setting from the TV Guide signal,
>> and now won't let me set the clock. It's stuck on daylight time,
>> and has drifted about 12 minutes from that. Since it once had
>> a TV Guide feed, it now thinks that the it just needs for that
>> to reappear, and has disabled the clock setting in the menu.
>
> That's weird. perhaps you could write the manufacturer and complain, because a valid clock the DVR is basically worthless.
>
> My VCR can be optionally set from a TV signal, but that never worked
> right and I always set it manually myself.
>
In the "old days", I gather it was mostly PBS stations that had the time
signal for the VCRs. But I can't remember why I "know" that.
With DTV, it seems built in. However, it depends ont he station. If I
set the TV set to automatically get the time, one station is off by about
20 minutes.
Michael
> My cellphone has time of day (no seconds) without any user control of
> it, but so far it's been accurate.
>
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