s6k -

I don't know what the situation is in your end of the world, but in mine it is already nearly impossible to buy a new VHS machine. You have to look around a bit even to find the "combo" DVD/VHS players.

In addition, most of the discount outlets have already stopped stocking movies on VHS, and many of the "video rental" places have begun switching to DVD only. The only things available as new VHS tapes are "kid shows" (lots of old Disney) and old stuff (want all of John Wayne's "B" movies?) that's been laying around in the warehouse and that they are now dumping.

The clear intent here is to have NO video distribution on VHS in the "supply channels" as soon as they can clear existing stocks.

I agree that for movies and similar stuff, VHS is a perfectly good medium, but "they" intend to make it go away as soon as possible.

DVD is also great, but the pricing of new DVD movies (or DVD replacements for old VHS ones) is "predatory." (The most generous term I can think of to apply.)

Although you can burn DVDs now, I'll have to restate my own opinion that in their present state of development they're virtually worthless - in most usages - for computer data storage.

John