Justifiably so. With the world of video-recording moving towards more high-tech formats such as Blu-ray, VHS seem like a dinosaur. Most electronics stores have almost stopped stocking products that use the VHS format.
Another tell-tale sign of the VHS format's decline is the dwinding number of videotapes available or in demand today as newest format overtake them.
Despite all signs pointing towards the inevitable death of VHS, some die-hard fans aren't giving up the fight. If its continued use by younger Singaporeans, it may be too early to place an obituary for it.
FOR THE RECORD, let's go through the past sequence of events & development of the different formats of recording.
SUPER 8mm film
Released in 1965, more popularly enjoyed by bridal couples with wedding videos. Found a following in independent directors such as Sam Raimi of Spider-Man films' fame.
VHS (Video Home System)
Launched in 1976,it won a format war against Sony's Betamax in the 1980s and became the consumer's viewing and recording standard.
LD (LaserDisc)
First available in 1978, it cornered a niche group of American and Japanese collectors but failed to capture major markets share in the format industry. The last two laserdisc titles released in 2000 & 2001.
VCD (Video Compact Disc)
Sony, Phillips, Matshshita and JVC standardised the format in 1993 and became extremely popular in Asia. Though cheaper than its successor, DVD, picture quality pales in contrast. A study in 2004 showed that at least half of all households in China owned a VCD player.
Blu-Ray Disc
First titles available in June 2006. Its name was derived from the blue-violet laser used to read and write the disc. The dual-layer BRD can stored 50GB, or almost six times what a dual-player DVD can.
Now is mainly supported by all major Hollywood studios, the high-definition video-format war with HD DVD ended in January this year.
