It's the invention that changed the way the world watched home recordings and
Hollywood films.
But in just four weeks' time, the last ever company to manufacture videocassette recorders will
shut down production as the Netflix generation takes over.
The closure in August comes as services like Netflix and YouTube
continue to revolutionise the way we watch films and TV.
In just four weeks' time, the last ever company to
manufacture videocassette recorders (stock image) will shut down production
THE DECLINE OF THE VCR
The VCR's first death knell sounded when DVD players were
introduced around the world in 1997.
But DVDs didn't become more popular than video cassettes until 2003.
Since then, the internet has dramatically changed how we watch our favourite TV shows, with services like BBC iPlayer
and Amazon Prime streaming content directly to our
devices.
The streaming and download market is now even bigger than the DVD market, according to PwC.
And by 2017, the streaming market is set to be worth $12 billion.
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Japan's Funai Electric, which has been making VCRs since 1983, used to sell
15 million VCRs a year in its heyday.
But last year the company sold just 750,000 as the video cassette market continues
to shrink.
The VCR's first death knell sounded when DVD players were introduced around
the world in 1997.
But DVDs didn't become more popular than video cassettes until 2003.
Since then, the internet has dramatically changed how
we watch our favourite TV shows, with services like BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime streaming content directly
to our devices.
The streaming and download market is now even bigger than the
DVD market, according to PwC. And by 2017, the streaming market is set to
be worth $12 billion.
But there is a still a thriving second-hand market for VCRs, with many families looking to
convert cherished memories recorded on tape into digital.
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According to Japanese newspaper Nikkei, Funai Electric will
shut down its VCR operations by the end of August.
Alongside a shrinking demand from consumers, Funai said it is also having
difficulty getting the correct parts to manufacture VCRs with,
as the technology is so dated.
Rival Panasonic stopped making VCRs in 2012,
but Funai was still making the tape machines for Sanyo in China,
which then sold them on to customers in the United States and other markets.
There is a still a thriving second-hand market for
VCRs, with many families looking to convert cherished memories recorded on tape into digital
And VCRs are just one of many technologies from the past that have taken decades to
die out.
Godrej and Boyce - the last company left in the world that was still
manufacturing typewriters - halted its production in Mumbai, India in 2011 with just a few hundred machines left in stock.
Video cassette predecessor Betamax was still going strong until 2002 when Sony stopped production of new recorders.
But new formats of the video technology called SuperBetamax are still being used by
small groups of people.
GOOGLE REVEALS 'VHS MODE'
In 2013 Google unveiled a 'VHS' feature for YouTube in honour of
the video tape that sparked the home entertainment
revolution.
In celebration of the VHS launching 57 years ago, Google let selected videos use a 'VHS
simulator'.
It added the white flicks, wonky video and errors
that plagued VHS recordings.
'Not too long ago, the video tape was the media of choice for living rooms around the world,' the firm said in a statement.
'In celebration of the 57th birthday of the first commercial video cassette recorder, check out a fun VHS mode for the YouTube player to relive
the magic feel of vintage video tapes.
'On select videos, you'll find a VHS button in the bottom right of
the player - just click to turn back the clock
and enjoy the static and fuzzy motion of the VHS era.'
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