VHS Tapes and Value

[Seahawk]

My apologies if this has been discussed before. I did a minimal effort because I am lazy, it is hot and my sinuses are roiling from the smoke and humidity. I was outside for three hours this morning and I was both sweating like Rosanne Barr on Jeopardy and smoking a pack of Marlboro Lights just being in the gloom.

So, downsizing, spending the day in the a/c going through "stuff". Lots and lots of VHS tapes from kid raising, our youngest is 28.

I did a few searches and the result are either fortune or bust...the websites are all over the spectrum.

Does anyone here have practical knowledge? I just want them gone. We reached out to the kids and they laughed at the notion: "Yeah, Dad, let me go get the Super Whamadyne VHS player I have hidden and let's do this!"

I hate them both.

I have done this with books, stamps, coins, etc. and it is always goofier than it should be.

Best.

[Scott Douglas]

I've often thought that the easiest way to make those types of memories last is to put them in a player hooked up to a tv and record the broadcast with a digital camera.
I never could afford a camera (VHS) so have no tapes of that sort. Got rid of the only player I was saving out in the garage a couple of years ago. I was saving it for its audio recording capabilities, not its video prowess.
I still have my reel to reel deck, and it works.

Sorry to hear about the smoke situation. It sucks big time.

[GH85Carrera]

My brother found someone to convert all old videos he shot of his kids growing up into a digital format. Now he has to store them on his computer long term.

I think you remember my post, I bought a gizmo to scan all the 8mm home movies to digital format. I then uploaded them all to YouTube. They should outlast me on the internet. I feel sure once I am dead, someone will toss the films into the trash.

I do have several cousins that have watched the old movies. Almost no one else will ever care about them. It is really hard to throw out the old tapes that are just memories for your family.

[Seahawk]

I may have not been clear: This is VHS commercial movies only. Every family recording has been digitized. My lack of clarity was my issue only.

So I went up on Ebay, which is a good indicator of value. Interesting.

The first few websites I found offered the fact that old Disney tapes are worth 1000's f scooters.

Sure.

My next search will be how to dispose of them. Not worth the squeeze at the prices I believe are rational.

Thanks, Gents.

Anyone else after my initial stumble?

[stevej37]

Craigslist.....they have a category for selling cd/dvd/vhs

[john70t]

https://www.techradar.com/best/free-video-editing-software
Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve is pro level.
You'll probably need an RCAtoUSB adapter for a few bux.

There are also total kits.

Set a timer and let it run on the side.

[flatbutt]

I have most of Disneys kids movies on VHS. I always thought about getting them burned onto DVDs but figured quality would suck.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, old VHS tapes are hard to watch after getting used to HD of today.

I can't imagine anyone wants an old VHS tape, but what do I know.

We had a large pile of VHS tapes, some were commercial titles, some were recorded from broadcast. When we went digital, and HD, they just collected dust. We gave them to a friend that was living on disability income, and accepted old VCRs as well. She watched them as she was stuck at home a lot. I have no idea what she did with them, likely trashed after watching.

Good luck fining anyone that wants them, even for free.

[astrochex]

Maybe some of the movies are no longer available on DVD? Or if a movie is, a modern version could be different from the original.

[Rusty Heap]

problem too, is at best VCR players had SVHS outputs, RCA jacks, and no modern TV's support SVHS round plugs.

You could maybe donate them to a Senior Home?

[Ayles]

Search ebay, then filter on sold to see what they are actually trading for.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364226870851?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=paljhgnhtic&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=AVJHuWBOSEK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[Bill Douglas]

VHS tapes "go bad" over time. The magnetic fields bleed into the next layer of tape. You can still watch them, or someone can, but they won't be great.

I have some of me surfing big waves. Yes I did actually hit the big stuff, so I'm going to hook up the VHS player to the TV and just cellphone film and photograph what's on the TV screen. A bit rough but I can't be bothered going to too much trouble over it all.

[Scott Douglas]

Our collection of VHS tapes went to Goodwill along with the player, and that was years ago.

[masraum]

I think you may as well file them into the circular file, unless you'd rather try to give them away for free.

[stevej37]

You will find a buyer on Craigslist....but the price will have to be low.

[Baz]

Quick story......

One of the best surf movies ever made is called "Free Ride" by Bill Delaney.

While almost every other surf movie ever made was ultimately available on DVD, this one was not, nor was it available in any other format - for many many years.

I happen to be a bit persistent when I'm "on the hunt" for something. And one day while doing a search on eBay, I found a seller with 3 copies for sale.....all in VHS format.

I bought every one right on the spot. Turned out they were the real deal. I ended up giving one away but still have the other two. I have yet to see this movie offered again in any format.

I've since made a couple copies to DVD and then a few months ago I see someone actually posted the entire movie on YT so I downloaded that to an MP4 file:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOXP8cklQJE

No idea what the value is for my VHS copies but I have no plans to sell them - just for the "cool factor" worth keeping!

[varmint]

give you $20 for a copy of "song of the south".

there is supposedly an early vhs of star wars where han shoots first.




i worked with some people who professionally restored silent era movies. every so often a "lost" movie fragment would turn up in a school in hungary and they'd try to reassemble it. the thing is, every time there's a sharp change in technology a percentage gets lost. i don't think your 1986 version of mannequin is in danger. but plenty of others are.

[porsche930dude]

Pretty much all we watch is vhs movies. The dvd players are harder to get working and when they are scratched your screwed. watch 3/4s of the movie and you dont get to see the end. They suck! You cant just fast forward past the bad spot. Anyway my neighbor had a buisness of rare vhs for many years. It dried up and he branched out to other antiques. My brothe rhas a pretty big hoard of tapes and players. If you want to get rid of them we have a free sale at the curb every once in a while when we get alot of stuff. Advertize it on fb on its gone in a few hours. People dont seem to care what it is they take anything. Goodwill here still takes vhs they still sell. But the other thrift stores around dont want them. I always look up the oddball ones before giving them away but mostly worthless.

[Heel n Toe]

It's the 4th!

Pile 'em up in the driveway, invite the neighbors, pour some gas on 'em, and let 'er rip!

Cook hotdogs and s'mores when it dies down to embers.

You'll have hero status for years.

[Tobra]

1000'a for the VHS? Perhaps the copy protection is not as good

Fairly certain my brother has a copy of that br'er rabbit flick on VHS