The VCR
Introduction
People are generally image conscious and they try to adopt the new technologies, fads and the trends of the society to associate themselves with a desired class of people. With the introduction of DVD in the consumer market during the beginning of the new millennium, people were inclined to adopt this technology to depict their tech-savvy and cool image, which in turns proved to be the beginning of VCR’s death. Videocassette Recorder (VCR), which was once the most favorite gadget amongst the consumers, is now no more relevant in the current technological context. A general belief is that the reasons behind its death is its technological glitches, comparatively less features than the alternatives, and higher prices, but according to the writer, the notion that it is a gadget of old people is an important reason for its death. The beginning of the new millennium started a new era of video recording and it inclined a complete change of platforms. VCR, which was once considered a luxury, has now become very important thing in the form of DVD. DVD, with its quality being far better than VHS, has further enhanced the opportunities for other technologies, like high-definition speakers and Smart TVs. Technological decay of VCR has just gone through the same phases introduced by Darwin in his theory of Evolution. VCR’s inefficiency in adaptation to the changing desires of the consumer proved to be its failure.
Reason of VCR’s Death
According to Maslow’s hierarchy, when people satisfy their basic needs they are inclined towards satisfying their esteemed needs. They try to adopt the technologies, fads and the trends of the society to associate them with a higher class of people. They buy expensive brands to portray a self desired image. Same phenomenon has happened in the case of VCR. With the beginning of new millennium, a wide range of technological transformations were witnessed and the introduction of DVD was one of them. It drastically changed the technological landscape but the major part of its success was based on its being very cool and high-tech. As people are generally image conscious, they adopted the new norm of the society to portray their desired depiction amongst their peer.
All the factors and tools that were associated VCR seems to look out of fashion during that time. The biggest disadvantage of VCR was tape based recording. Boom in the electronics market actuated giants to replace the old technology with the new ones with more advance and ameliorated features. When electrical chain of UK stopped selling VCRs then the death signs started appearing (Ettlie 77).. The same happened with VCR; new technology of DVD player was the reason behind its phasing out it. This technology captures consumer market rapidly with its high speed and excellent digital quality. The biggest challenge for VCR companies is low price of DVD. However, the sale of VCRs are declined but still there are consumers who prefer VCRs over DVD, still today, those people enjoy tape based recording more than digital ones.
Another benefit of DVD is the amount of data it could carry with its compact size. On the other hand, VHS carries more space, weights comparatively higher and it carries lower amount of data in comparison. The technological trend in the world is of the view that as something becomes modern; it turns into smaller in size. As is the case with computer; the professional computer was huge in comparison with the one that we have with now. The size is further reduced to laptops and now the tablets. This phenomenon has also caused damaged to the industry which was already suffering. DVDs also act as a medium that connects to gadgets: Computers and DVD players. Anyone who does not have a DVD Player can play the videos in their computers though the DVD Rom but there is no such option available in case of VHS as it is compulsory to have one VCR to play VHS.
This old image consciousness syndrome was further enhanced by the notion that video cassette recorders have common bugs and glitches. Humidity changes and temperature used to cause immense problems. If the tape or the VCR was moved from a cooler temperature to a hotter environment, condensation occurs in parts like rotating video head drums (Lotz 140). Later, this problem was resolved by the introduction of dew warning indicator, which would prohibit its operations. Although, it lacked the quality of detecting moisture from cold tape inserted. The moisture caused magnetic tapes to be eaten or chewed when it was ejected from the machine. Other technical hitches occurred when the rubber roller or rubber drive belt hardened with passing years. Faults like these intensified the quality of video being compromised.
Successor to the Technology
During 1980s and 1990s, videocassette recorder (VCR) remained a very fast and most liked version to play videos even during stiff competition from Video CD (VCD) and Laserdisc. Although, Laserdisc was far better in terms of sound and technology but the major problem with Laserdisc was its weight. Laserdisc weighted around 1 pound, which was difficult to handle and it was prone to damages, if mishandled. Other competitors included VCD, which found a niche amongst the importers in Asia markets. Although, it was quite convenient in comparison with VCR but it never went into mainstream, because it was highly prone to video piracy and copies can be easily made with CD-R writers and CD-R disc, therefore many Hollywood studios did not released their videos in this format.
The basic change occurred during the early 2000s, when DVD finally became well-known in the mainstream through its cool and high-tech image. It became a successful playback prerecorded video medium and it overtook VHS. With the economies of scale, the prices of DVD player dropped significantly. In 2003, DVD rentals in United States were higher in comparison with VHS but the figures transformed drastically. In North America, various big electronic retailers like Best Buy do not carry VCR and only a few stores carry VCR which are in a hybrid form of DVD and VCR (Rolls 225).
Impact on Society
As the important factor of its success was related to its cool and high-tech image, it created two segments of society: the one with DVD carrying a high-class image and with VCR carrying an old image. Society witnesses that new technological standard has brought added advantages for them. Thus, because of above-mentioned reasons, society shows receptive attitude towards digital technologies over VCRs.
The quality of DVD is far better than VHS, which has further enhanced the opportunities for other technologies like high-definition speakers and Smart TVs. Therefore, the benefit of DVD is not just restricted to itself; it has actually given opportunities for other technologies too. The rapid decline in the prices of DVD has significant effects on society. VCR, which was once considered a luxury, has now become very basic thing in the form of DVD.
As DVD is easily combined with the computer systems, it has opened new opportunities for the video piracy crimes (Ruhlmann 166). With every new technology coming in the market, it gives more flexibility to customer and more customization. These all customized and user friendly features encourage less level of controls. Decades back when a few people had the opportunity of buying or renting Video players, the level of piracy was negligible but as the technology advanced, the controls diminished. With DVDs in our hands and online video torrents easily available, the producers of original content have lost a complete control by which they can safeguard their creative work. So, on one hand DVD has given myriad benefits in terms of better quality, better speed, low prices and more but at the same time, it has also posed serious threats to different groups as well.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that with the introduction of DVD in the consumer market during the beginning of the new millennium, people were inclined to adopt this technology to depict their tech-savvy and cool image, which in turn proved to be the beginning of VCR’s death. DVD is now the mainstream medium and it has become a successful playback prerecorded video medium which has overshadowed VHS. Technological decay of VCR has just gone through the same phases introduced by Darwin in his theory of Evolution. VCR’s inefficiency in adaptation to the changing image related desires of customers proved to be major reasons of its decline.
Works Cited
Ettlie, John E. Managing innovation: new technology, new products, and new services in a global economy. 2nd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann, 2006: 77-85. Print.
Lotz, Amanda D. The television will be revolutionized. New York: New York University Press, 2007: 135- 140. Print.
Rolls, Albert. New media. Bronx, NY: H.W. Wilson, 2006: 225-235. Print.
Ruhlmann, William. A century on record: popular music and the recording industry in America, 1900-2000. New York: Routledge, 2004: 166- 175. Print.
