Disney Should Replace All My VHS Tapes With DVDS

I agree with you that good money was spent on VHS video tapes. How
many times are we suppose to shell out between $20 & $30 for the same
movie, just because technology changes. The current technologies used
to prevent piracy have hindered the activities that are normally
considered “fair use” such as casual copying under existing copyright
laws. Music CD's & computer software are allowed to be copied for back
up and/or to be used on portable devices. The same should be allowed
for movies. Don't misunderstand me, the people who copy them for
piracy and gain profit from someone else's work is WRONG. But to stop
someone who is good, decent, honest & hardworking from making a copy
for themselves to use privately as a back up or because of changing
technology is also wrong. If you have never purchased the movie
before, then naturally it would be purchased in the latest format. The
other point I would like to make is that not all movies that came out
on VHS are available on DVD. So if that VHS tape of your favorite
movie suddenly goes bad, what do you do without a backup?
For all of you that think it's right for companies to expect you to
purchase the movies again and again every time THEY decide to change
technologies, you are playing right into their little game. WAKE
UP!!!!!. These same companies hire people for the sole purpose of
figuring out how to get more of your money, Their game is to make you
poor while they get filthy rich. So again I say: WAKE UP!!!!!, WAKE
UP!!!!!, WAKE UP!!!!!

This is crazy. I have like 200 cassettes and a tleast 100 tapes. I
wouldn't ask anyone to replace them for free.

The problem is that they don't know you're trying to copy it for your
own personal use. The days in which companies could trust that their
products were going to be used responsibly and within copyright and
trademark rights are gone.

Whenever you invest in technology, you run the risk that it will
someday become obsolete. It happens with computers, automobiles,
televisions, as well as with music and video products.

That doesn't mean Disney should replace your VHS tapes free of charge.

Oh oh! I want Disney to replace my Honda with a BMW!

Ooh, good idea! I want Disney to replace all my VHS tapes with DVDs
also! And all the other movie makers too! Then I want all the
recording companies to replace my 8 tracks with CDs! Gee, and here I
was just buying new things when they came along, and totally WASTING
all that money I spent back in the 1970s and 80s. But why should I be
stuck with something I've used for 30 years when a new improved
version comes out? Those selfish companies that invent new stuff that
makes my old stuff obsolete should totally give me the new things for
free to make up for my inconvenience. Thanks for posting this - I see
the light now!!!

I feel bad that Joline's life is empty that she has nothing better to
do on Christmas then write to Disney about an absurd request. Hope
Michael Eisner gets a chuckle out of this, I know I did.

I got somewhat of a laugh about your request that Disney should
replace all of your VHS tapes. It is a nice try though.

There is nothing wrong or illegal about Disney placing the copy
protection on the VHS tape -- NOR IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG OR ILLEGAL
ABOUT YOU OVERRIDING THAT SAME PROTECTION.

Actually, this is where I think I may be of most help. The protection
scheme you are speaking of is called Macrovision and is placed on many
commercial VHS cassettes as well as DVDs. The protection causes the
screen to pulsate when being copied or viewed. You can purchase a
device between approximately $50 to $100 that strips the video signal
of this protection. You are then able to place it between your
cassette and DVD recorders and properly change formats without
repurchasing all the videos.

I too don't understand why you can't watch your VHS tapes. I have all
the Disney movies on VHS and I wouldn't dream of parting with them.
If something happens to my VCR, I'll just replace it. Don't worry,
VCRs will be around for a long time, probably forever. I don't think
VHS will ever go away completely, at least not in our lifetimes.

Even though most people think DVDs will last forever, I read once that
VHS tapes are actually more durable and will last longer. I have VHS
tapes that are well over 20 years old and are still just fine. If you
feel you must have DVDs, replace your Disney movies over a period of
time so it's not so expensive. The only advantage I see with DVDs is
that you get extra features, which can be fun.

Go out and buy the DVD's we all have VHS's and what are you going to
do when say ten, fifteen years ago DVD's go out of style and something
better comes up would you want your DVD's replaced with that. Keep
the VHS's in 10, 15 years when they don't sell them anymore you will
be glad you have something from the past.

Why wouldn't you be able to watch them? As long as you keep your VCR
then you will be all set. They shouldn't give you ANYTHING free.

By your logic I should be able to get all of my tapes made into CD's
simply because tapes are old technology. Comon now.

Where to even start with this. Did you have the same complaint when
records went to tapes, or tapes went to cds? Technology changes and
businesses have to change with it. It is ludicrous to expect Disney
or any other movie company to replace all of your VHS tapes with DVDs
and requesting it will only get you a few chuckles before being
deleted.

Technology changes, nothing Disney can do about that. Perhaps you
should invest in a dvd/vcr combo? I don't think you should get your
movies replaced.