The Final Days of VHS Have Arrived

After about 30 years in use, the VHS tape is finally on its deathbed as a viable home entertainment format for consumers. In fact, the last Hollywood movie on VHS was released in 2006. For an interesting look and perspective on the final days of VHS, check out the report from The Los Angeles Times and KTLA (Free Registration may be required for access).

My Opinion: Yes, VHS is on it last legs in terms of new product in both hardware and software. However, there are still millions of VCRs in use Worldwide and as long as they are repairable and people still have tape libraries, or record TV programs for later viewing, they will be in use for the next several years at least.

However, let's face it, VHS video quality is inferior to DVD, and, of course, Blu-ray Disc. Also, with more HDTVs in use, consumers are finding out that VHS looks pretty bad as the average size TV screen gets larger and less forgiving of poor quality source signals.

In addition, even though DVD growth is also beginning to slow as Blu-ray Disc makes a bigger impact in the market, keep in mind that, unlike VHS tapes which can only play in in a VHS VCR, all Blu-ray Disc players can also play DVDs as well as Blu-ray Discs. In other words, even when the day comes when DVD players are no longer being made, the discs will still be playable on Blu-ray disc players.