The last VCR supposedly rolled off of Funai's assembly line sometime in July. I know, antiquated tech, but still sad to see. I've got a couple, guess I should take 'em apart, clean 'em, check capacitors, solder joints, et cetera. Occasionally find some still shrink-wrapped cassettes at Thrift shops for mere change. Plenty of open (used) cassettes there too.
I recall what a thrill it was when my parents purchased their first recorder in 1983. The near weekly ritual of stopping at the video rental store and hunting for something to watch. My grandmother purchased on several years later. My Aunt would come home for the summer and began renting tapes. My cousins and I would pick up "unedited" versions of films and titles such as Candid Candid Camera and More Candid Candid Camera and hand them to my Aunt to rent. I remember saying, it's just like Candid Camera on TV.
I don't think my Aunt caught on. I remember too my grandmother had cable and the provider didn't scramble stations, instead they used "traps". Well, those traps (frequency-blocking tech) would wear out after a while. You could watch stuff, it was a bit fuzzy, but watchable. Cinemax late at night! Oh yeah! Skinemax as we'd call it. Wonder if my cousin has tapes of some of great that programming, like Lady Godiva Rides Again. Ah, semi-pornographic memories. 
