VCR

VCRs are the video cassette recorders. As evident from the name, these are the machines used to record the video cassettes. the video cassette recorders play the video cassettes as well, thus performing the multiple function of video cassette players and video cassette recorders. The history of the videocassette recorder follows the history of videotape recording in general. It generally uses the 2 inches quadruplex format, using two inch or 5.1 cm wide tape. The first known VCR model was Sony model CV-2000, first marketed in 1965, and was intended for home use. the VP-1100 videocassette player and the VO-1700 videocassette recorder, which were meant for using the new tapes. In 1970 Philips developed a home videocassette format. Later on, the Avo company joined the race and created the Avco Cartrivision system, which was actually a combination television set and VCR from Cartridge Television Inc. Moreover, it was the first videocassette recorder to have pre-recorded tapes of popular movies available for rent. Like Philips' VCR format, the square Cartrivision cassette had the two reels of half-inch tape mounted on top of each other, but it could record up to 114 minutes.

This industry saw a new boom, when JVC introduced the rival VHS format in Japan, in September 1976 and in the United States in July 1977, which boasted a longer two-hour recording time with four hours using a "long play" mode.

A third format, Video 2000, or V2000 or the video compact cassette was developed and introduced by Philips in 1978, and was sold only in Europe. Grundig developed and marketed their own models based on the V2000 format. Most V2000 models featured piezoelectric head positioning to dynamically adjust the tape tracking. User switchable record protect levers were used instead of the breakable lugs found on VHS/BetaMax cassettes. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, DVD gradually overtook VHS as the most popular format for playback of prerecorded video. Best Buy and Circuit City etc carry only one or two VCRs and those too normally as VCR/DVD-recorder hybrids, which are used for transferring VHS to DVDs etc. Standalone VCRs now generally cost more than low-end DVD players.

The present day camcorders also feature an integrated VCR. The S-VHS format, which were introduced in 1987 was actually an attempt to breathe new life into the aging VCR technology, but it did not gain sufficient momentum in the consumer market due to its higher initial cost for both machines and video tape. By the time JVC had lowered prices on S-VHS machines and video tape, the arrival of the new digital video formats spelled the end of analogue tape development.

For home video recording, both Digital Video Recorders, such as TiVo, Mythtv, Sky+ and ReplayTV and DVD recorders are becoming popular, although they are only slowly replacing the VCR. A new format war is digital High Definition compatible recordable HD DVD and Blu-ray formats. These two formats record and play back video in HD producing high resolutions. Although the Sony Blu-ray format stores more data per disc and is supported by more movie studios, HD DVD was released before Blu-ray. Much like the DVD+/-/RAM format war, some manufacturers have started releasing units that can play both formats.

By the time JVC had lowered prices on S-VHS machines and video tape, the arrival of the new digital video formats spelled the end of analogue tape development. A new format war is digital High Definition compatible recordable HD DVD and Blu-ray formats. These two formats record and play back video in HD producing high resolutions.