Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Blogs | Writers | Paid | My Orble | Login

I’m going backwards

September 8th 2008 07:23
Video tape
It’s been coming for a while now, I tried to stall it but it’s definite...my DVD player isn’t working. It began with a jump, moved into an Olympic-hurdle sequence that ended with a grunt and thud. I took the hint and stopped shoving DVDs into it hoping it was just a technical quirk.

So, now my entire film appetite must be satisfied by my seven-year old faithful yet aesthetically and technically out-moded video player. Until I get the modern contraption fixed, my DVD-watching will be seriously limited. Of course, I could hire videos, but I’m afraid of looking like a taste-lacking, antiquated nit-wit.


277
Vote
Add To: del.icio.us Digg Furl Spurl.net StumbleUpon Yahoo

   
subscribe to this blog 


   

   

[ Link ]
Posted By: Tracy - Category: Life
Related Posts:

Recent Posts:
      Combining two life loves: the cinema and a baby 
      The next step 
      And so now a film festival can be interactive... 
      Sydney's Open Air Cinemas 
      Christmas films, why oh why? 
      Under construction 
      Fish Tank 
      Sex and the City 2 
      Micmacs 
      Dedicated method actors 
Comments
46 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Sara Dobson

September 8th 2008 07:40


My Turn

Ha ha I am not even sure it is possible to renct videos anymore tracy!

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 07:44


Movies and Life
Hi Sara

That was one of the things I was afraid of!!

Byeee

Comment by Lara M

September 8th 2008 07:58


Love Speaks
Food Slate
<lol> I still have my faithful video player too Never know when it would come in handy!

Mmm...I think I'd rather look like a dork than be without a movie night

Maybe u can get some from the library...

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 08:03


Movies and Life
That was the exact reason I kept it, Lara...in case of emergencies like now! Plus, it's wasteful and not good for the environment to just chuck things out...

That's a fantastic idea about a library. Thank-you. My local one has quite a decent selection and I'm less likely to be judged on my not-so snazzy technology choice!


Byee

Comment by katyzzz

September 8th 2008 09:16


Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Can't you watch them on your computer? That's what it's all about.

Comment by Michaelie

September 8th 2008 09:41


Flick Wit
If needs must, you can watch movies on your computer, but it's just not the same is it?

I still have an old combo VCR/DVD, at least until I get TiVO, because I am always taping stuff. I've had it about seven years, faithful ol' thing. Touch wood it doesn't conk out any time soon, because I have been in a series-on-DVD watching frenzy lately, with Peep Show, The Vicar of Dibley, Seachange, and of course, SATC.

RIP to your player, Trace.

Mich

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 09:53


Movies and Life
Hi katyzzz

I had forgotten about that option, that's another good one... but it's just not as comfy as a settee and feels more like work than fun. Ah well...


Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 10:00


Movies and Life
Hi Mich

The two-in-one deal is great, I agree. I had one of those too and it passed away a while ago, so it means that I got out of the habit of recording programs as I don’t have a recording DVD player. So now I can get back into recording again, there’s always a glimpse of hope in these situations isn’t there?

I hadn't heard of Peep Show so I looked it up and I really want to see it. Programs that come from Channel 4 are usually good. Thanks for that idea. I love the Vicar of Dibley (or Dib Dab as my dad calls it) and of course, SATC, where would we be without that stable nourishment?

Thank-you for your condolences, I’ll keep you informed of its recovery.

Tracy

Comment by Erin Stapleton

September 8th 2008 10:53
Don't feel that way... VHS is awesome!
I still maintain a VCR as well as a DVD player, and find that there's heaps of stuff that still hasn't been released on DVD for one reason or another (too obscure, or fighting over distribution rights, mostly).
Plus, for some reason i'm in love with the tactile clunky nature of the VCR.
So, i say embrace the antiques (yes, i'm also one of those people who swears by vinyl)

Comment by Cheryl J

September 8th 2008 13:46


Rhythmatism
Budget Centsability
I still have both too. I haven't updated all of my movies to DVD yet plus I'm still old school enough to tape the occasional thing on TV I'll bet your friends have movies on VHS too that you could borrow.


Comment by Morgan Bell

September 8th 2008 15:00


Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
you can usually pick up a generic model DVD player for fifty bucks from a Crazy Prices or GOLO or similar bargain basement establishment - it is rarely worth the cost and hassel of a repair

Comment by Jarrah

September 8th 2008 16:24


Back to the Eighties
I throw everything out. I hate too many possessions.
Seriously.
I haven't owned a VCR for at least 7 years.

But its cool to go back.
Back to the Eighties.net that is...

did I just say that?

Comment by Chris Champion

September 8th 2008 17:14


Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Hi Tracy,

VHS or betamax?

Happy vidding,
Chris

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 21:44


Movies and Life
Hi Erin

It seems I could be a technology hypocrite when it comes to DVDs and videos. I still love vinyl and have my records, but when it comes to videos, they seem too chunky to appreciate.

Thanks for popping in,

Tracy

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 21:47


Movies and Life
Hi Cheryl

It's great to hear I'm not the only one with a video collection, I don't think I could part with mine...yet.

I'm happy to be back in the video recording seat, I'd forgotten how easy it is.

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 21:50


Movies and Life
Hi Morgan

That's what my mum and dad said, but it's seems so unfair on the environment! But it would be less hassle...now I have to find somewhere that does repairs (without ripping me off), wait for it, etc etc. Ah well!!

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 21:52


Movies and Life
Hi Jarrah

That's definitely one way to avoid having possessions...but I think I could say we all need our computers though..

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 8th 2008 21:53


Movies and Life
Hi Chris

VHS, my dad has our Beta tapes...!

Byee

Comment by Lilla

September 8th 2008 22:19


From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Hi Tracy,

At least it rewinds!

Ours (sadly) lost that ability years ago and I have to push the button on the cassette, open the flap and rewind it by hand! *chuckle* its worth it though, as most of the kids Disneys are still floating around on VHS ... and you know I just have to have my Disney/Pixar fix here and there. (Bugs Life comes to mind as one I re-watched this week) ... I really should get it on DVD you know..

Look : to make a really long story short (or is that a really short story long?): ) well, after three consequtive years of good quality and Cheapo Barn DVD players conveniently breaking - just after the one year warranty ran ou - we did away with the whole DVD thing completely. We rather easily worked out and hooked up a cheapo 2nd hand computer into the tuner and TV as our DVD player.. not only do we REALLY have 5.1 surround sound, but if the DVD ROM craps out within a year, it only costs about $40 to replace it (which you can easily do yourself, by opening the puter box and unhooking the old one and clipping in the new one). Less landfill too This option also gives you the power to toggle the screen size to wherever you want it with a manual override, otherwise not available through those DVD players.

Truly the whole thing cost less to organise than the cost of a really good DVD player that still only has a year or two warranty, which you know is about as long as the crappy thing will last anyway..

*LOL* otherwise, be careful when you DO go back to DVD, becuase if you're anything like me, you'll be trying to rewind them all over again!

I bet it's nice to catch up with some of those old films though, the ones you haven't got to buying on DVD yet?

Lilla ...

Comment by Kleonaptra

September 9th 2008 01:23


Kalikapsychosis
Oh, Man, do I know how you FEEL....

I cant remember what happened to our VCR. We first got the dvd player because the playstation 2 went nazi on us - it would only play cartoons, and even then it had to be coersed. However, from the beginning, the DVD player gave me shit. It doesnt like the old Xenas and so my movie watching became swapping between DVD player and playstation. We are now on the third playstation by the way. They still all play games and movies, but lose their DVD capacity.

Now, the current playstation just ticks if you put in a DVD, but roars to life for a game. A few weeks ago the DVD player died on X Files - made horrific death sounds and just gave up. We thought it would be back to the computer(since Kman gave me the laptop, he bought a beast that has a bigger screen than the tv for world of warcraft. All we have to do is swivel the couch) BUT I got the bitch working again....I can trick it into playing anything now, even if it doesnt want to. Still, those DVD players in clints for under $100 are looking good!

Comment by Carmen

September 9th 2008 01:25


Parent Slate
Hi Tracy,
I'm the first to admit technology scares me a bit and I know that's not something to be proud of... the other day my friend in London asked me how she could see the full episodes of Aust Idol because her friend was in the top 24 (they only show highlights on the website). I started blathering on about downloads and bit torrents and things that I'm aware of but don't really understand. In the end I nervously asked whether she might have access to a VCR and she said "Yes! Please tape it for me and send it over!"

So that's what we're doing. Like two old ladies. Long live the VCR I say!!

C

Comment by Cibbuano

September 9th 2008 02:35


Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I hate VHS, because the picture quality degrades so quickly, it seems.... but there's a great selection of movies that haven't been released on DVD yet...



Comment by alt_ed

September 9th 2008 07:55


Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
The only thing i remember about VCR's was how easily it was to get my little fingers jammed in them when ejecting the cassette!!! You could always tell when the movie was over in our house by the screams coming from the lounge room as my arm was being devoured by behemoth contraption.

Now day's I have a lovely theatre combo-- My full-HD LCD is connected to the surround sound system and dvd player, which is then all driven by my mac mini ITS HEAVEN!!!

Comment by Bryn

September 9th 2008 08:20


Horrorphile
I still have a VCR, and an eclectic collection of VHS movies and shows taped from television. Of course after several years of enjoying the clarity of DVD watching a movie on VHS is an eyesore. I can't believe we lived with such poor quality for so long.
I can remember first going to the video store and there'd be a shelf with BETA tapes and a (larger) shelf of VHS tapes. BETA was better quality, but VHS monopolised the market. Hmmm .... sounds like a lot of things.
Sorry to hear your DVD player spat the dummy Tracy. Have you heard of books? They can be quite a good substitute ... LOL

Comment by JohnDoe

September 11th 2008 01:51


Film & TV on DVD
Hi Tracy,

A frightening time, I finally unloaded my VHS collection last year myself, but still have a player.

The thing that used to drive me nuts was how hard it was to find widescreen videos. I could not go back!

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 22:29


Movies and Life
Hi Lilla

It sounds like you have the whole situation sorted, impressive stuff. So you have a computer next to your telly? I would never have thought of that. That’s brilliant and creative, Lilla.

I’m with you, I don’t like chucking something out simply because it doesn’t work...having said that sometimes we have no choice, things are definitely not to last much longer than their warranty these days. It must hurt your fingers to rewind your videos like that?!

I’ve made a decision that both a video and DVD player deserve a place in my life and house. Both have their merits and negatives.

I can see myself trying to rewind a DVD if/when the infamous payer comes back...

Thanks for popping in,

Tracy

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 23:00


Movies and Life
Hi Kleo

It seems most definite that technology is not made to last these days, it’s disgraceful really.

It sounds like you have a talent for kick-starting your misbehaving, belligerent machine. It’s brilliant that you won and probably will continue to out-wit it!

I know what you mean about those $100 players being tempting...but for now, I will resist...

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 23:13


Movies and Life
Hi Carmen

I know what you mean, sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Plus there’s the added advantage of seeing the red light for ‘record’ so you know it has to work...

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 23:15


Movies and Life
Hi Cib

That's an important sub-topic that you've introduced. The quality is definitely better, DVD-wise, no doubt about that. PLus those video tapes are prone to getting mangled and eventually splitting...

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 23:29


Movies and Life
Hi alt-ed

I know what you mean...one day I was so annoyed that the thing was jammed that I turned it upside down and whacked it a few times. Unfortunately it still didn’t work, obviously the contraption’s teeth were stronger than my force.

Now that sounds like the perfect system, you lucky duck!

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 23:39


Movies and Life
Hi Bryn

Sorry I took so long to reply but I was busy reading

Ah yes, the quality is so much better with DVDs, most true. Yes, I remember BETA tapes as well. My dad still has one...plus 3 video players and a recording DVD player...I'm surprised there's any room in the house for my mum.

I’ve decided I’m keeping the video in my life as well as a DVD player. I’ve been enjoying My Men Behaving Badly tapes yet again.

Byee

Comment by Tracy

September 14th 2008 23:50


Movies and Life
Hi JD

Thanks for your commiseration, it has indeed been a bleak time. But it has solidified my decision to have both a DVD player and a video player.

A wide-screen telly? Now that would be great. When our telly claps out we’ll get a super-duper one. It seems acceptable to do that as the telly is eight years old, so I can’t complain about that. Well, I could, but it would be quite unreasonable of me.

Byee

Comment by Lilla

September 15th 2008 01:25


From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Hi Tracy,

Indeed. There is a black sub woofer on one side and in equal proportion, a black computer tower on the other.

There is a small infra-red cordless mouse on the coffee table and the TV (hooked up simply as a [slave] monitor) makes a HUGE computer screen, *chuckle* which of course plays the films through the use of the mouse and running one of the media player programs available on windows. We are currently using 321 which is brillliant as it offers all the manual override options for screen size... where you can toggle the screen height and width to suit your view, despite the films format.

This all happens thanks to a normal 5.1 amp/tuner (as you would a sterio). The 5.1 in this mode is superb believe me, and really worth the bother.

If you wanted a guided account of what to plug where, I an take you through it. It really is simple when you look at it long enough... and I just love the manual override of being able to make every letterbox view the full size of the screen without making everyone appear as if they (or I) am in the circus hall of mirrors (if you know what I mean)? *LOL*

Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Lilla ...

Comment by KylieW

September 19th 2008 06:17


Celebrity Obsession
You could dig out those old movies that you have on video and re-watch those - I have finally started replacing mine with dvd's, but can't seem to throw away the video tapes even though I now have dvds....weird

Comment by Tracy

September 19th 2008 07:25


Movies and Life
Wow, Lilla, that sounds like a great idea. Yuu really have outwitted technology!

Thanks for your offer, that's fantastic. As yet I haven't done much but have been enjoying some old videos and recording some fluff.

Thanks!!

Tracy

Comment by Tracy

September 19th 2008 07:28


Movies and Life
HI Kylie

I know what you mean, I have oodles of videos too. But then I still have all my vinyl records so maybe I have a problem with parting with things...

Ah well, I know what the solution is, I just need to get my bum into gear and sort it out!! It's easier to write about these things than do them.

Byeee


Comment by Miswanderlust

October 1st 2008 02:41


Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Tracy
I have not giving my VHS tapes away and still have a VHS player (and Beta Max...so sad). I hold onto them like no other. I also have a massive collection of vinyl records and cassettes. Oh the 1980s are calling and they want their technology back!
Mis

Comment by Tracy

October 9th 2008 21:33


Movies and Life
Hi Mis

It's great to see you, hope you're well.

He he, so you still have a Betamax one too? I know what you mean, I still have my cassettes and records over at my parents, there's no way I'm going to get rid of them! Who knows what might happen next in the technology realm?!

Byeee


Comment by Wilson Pon

January 4th 2009 11:56


Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
Tracy, you can classify me as the "old-fashioned," but I'm have the VCR at my home and it still can function very well, although it's already 20-year-old!

Comment by Tracy

January 4th 2009 21:18


Movies and Life
Hi Wilson

I know what you mean, I still have my video here and it's working very well. Not to say I don't like DVD players, but if you have it, you might as well use it. Better for the environment and pocket!

Thanks for popping in,

Tracy

Comment by Bryn

January 5th 2009 00:38


Horrorphile
Tracy,
You realise you're above me in the film traffic stats these days ... My game is slipping. Not happy Jan.

Comment by Tracy

January 5th 2009 04:20


Movies and Life
Hi Bryn

I know andI can't explain it...maybe I have a hoard of secret fans out there somewhere...

But...you're back to being ahead of me today, so congrats

Tracy

Comment by Bryn

January 5th 2009 23:40


Horrorphile
The traffic is a very weird beast ... I can't work it out. John Doe hasn't posted in a couple of months and yet he's been ahead of me for ages. I used to be #2 .... I can't fathom it. Jon can't either.

Comment by Tracy

January 6th 2009 06:19


Movies and Life
I don't understand the stats either...but I thought it was just me. Funny that Jon is perplexed too...

Comment by Bryn

January 6th 2009 06:24


Horrorphile
Google is a strange beast.

Comment by Tracy

January 6th 2009 06:28


Movies and Life
Aha, so it's down to Google? At least I've learnt that, thanks. I wasn't sure if it was Adsense, Orble or a higher being.

Add A Comment

To create a fully formatted comment please click here.


CLICK HERE TO LOGIN | CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Name or Orble Tag
Home Page (optional)
Comments
Bold Italic Underline Strikethrough Separator Left Center Right Separator Quote Insert Link Insert Email
Notify me of replies
Your Email Address
(optional)
(required for reply notification)
Submit
More Posts
July 2011
1 Posts
May 2011
1 Posts
April 2011
1 Posts
Older Posts
210 Posts dating from August 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
0
[ View Blog Summary ] [ Create A New Post ] [ Add A Comment ]

Tracy's Blogs

293 Vote(s)
9 Comment(s)
3 Post(s)
0 Vote(s)
0 Comment(s)
0 Post(s)
Moderated by Tracy
Copyright © 2012 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]