GenX Question of the Day 5/24/26
Posted by HotelDiva@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 44 comments
Do you remember setting up your VCR to record a show off your TV because you were going to be gone?
Posted by HotelDiva@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 44 comments
Do you remember setting up your VCR to record a show off your TV because you were going to be gone?
Altruistic_Relief189@reddit
It was one of our chores. We had to program them to make sure all the soaps recorded and to stay on top of the TV listings so that any special events or hot, new movies rolling out on cable were recorded. We had a pretty epic tape library for awhile.
SurlyPillow@reddit
I also recall having to record a program while watching another one live. 16 year old me felt as smart as a rocket surgeon!
EverythingScrolling@reddit
Of course I do! I used to record Days of our Lives every day in college while I was in class.
elphaba00@reddit
One of my friends used to record Young and the Restless every day and then watch them all on the weekend. On Monday, she'd start all over again.
absintheortwo@reddit
My ex ran out of blank tapes and figured it would be okay to use the blank space at the end of our wedding video. You can see where this is going. She recorded over half of the wedding video. A harbinger of things to come.
EverythingScrolling@reddit
There was an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where he recorded a football game or something over their wedding video.
absintheortwo@reddit
Your comment brought back this memory because our wedding video became Days of our Lives.
BluesGraveller@reddit
When did the hourglass run out of sand?
BluesGraveller@reddit
I've heard of trying to erase bad memories, but this...
CountHonorius@reddit
Yes indeed, and the joy of returning from vacation to watch Babylon 5 episodes back to back....before it was 'bingeing', lol
QuietParsnip@reddit
All the time, but the worst was when something before it went over and you just hoped you had enough tape to catch all of it.
hapster85@reddit
Of course. But it didn't record "off of the TV". It had it's own tuner. Lol
thewatchwinder@reddit
i always meant to, but then never did. it was super annoying of myself, really
Party-Cup-9386@reddit
Man, my dad recorded Bob Ross every day and I was not allowed to touch the TV in any capacity until it was over. EVERY DAY.
Best_Stomach_5385@reddit
I remember having it set to record on a set night every week, and then the president would have a speech and it would get recorded
wmnoe@reddit
All the time.
Had two vcrs too, used to dupe tapes often. One of 'em was old enough to not recognize macrovision.
SpankyDammit@reddit
Same. Rent a movie, copy it to watch it again and return it. Sadly I had to severely downsize when I moved so I lost them all. Still have a working vcr though.
old-cigar-smoker@reddit
Absolutely
DogsAreOurFriends@reddit
Yes.
I also remember that occasionally it felt like my poop had whiskers.
Solid_Association_49@reddit
Weird flex…
DogsAreOurFriends@reddit
Definitely weird. I’m not sure it’s a flex. More of a stretch.
FzzyCatz@reddit
Yep! And then I could watch it again.
WhyLie2me18@reddit
I used to tape my soap operas every day
Coop_4149@reddit
Your stories?
Infinite-Lychee-182@reddit
That was mean, lol!
SergeantChic@reddit
This was how I watched all of the original run of Twin Peaks.
themiracy@reddit
This is the only way I watched 120 minutes. Xxx
the_47th_painter@reddit
Sure do.
rbrumble@reddit
The most memorable use for me was May 14, 1998 at 9PM EDT. iykyk
Warchild_13@reddit
Yes!!
Which also shows that the clock was set and correct, can't time a show to record if the clock is blinking 12:00.
Stupid media saying noone could set the clock pshh!
Solid_Association_49@reddit
We could. Our parents couldn’t lol. I remember mom making us fix it right away if the power went out and then checking the program if something was coming up to be taped
cowboyJones@reddit
Yes, and setting it to start a few minutes early and end a few minutes later to ensure you got it all.
Equivalent_Gap_805@reddit
All the time. I miss those days.
micfost@reddit
Yes. I even wrote up step-by-step instructions for my parents in case they ever needed to do that. I don't think they ever did.
Of course, I was also in charge of setting the VCR clock.
KitsMalia@reddit
Yes, and I remember my parents had 2 VCRs so they could tape movies we rented.
Solid_Association_49@reddit
We did this as well
CJK_Murph@reddit
The few times a year when the whole family would sit down for a round of “keep it or tape over it”
stunneddisbelief@reddit
There was also the ability to watch one program while taping another on a different channel.
Wrong_Square7826@reddit
not sure I ever did. I remember work colleges talking about that TiVo shit, that was later obviously.
ObligationMurky8716@reddit
I remember VCR+ being useful, yes.
Quirky-Web-8120@reddit
We had two VCRs(roommates both had one) because we recorded so many things. We all worked at night waiting tables and were not going to miss Deep Space Nine because a table kept us late.
emryldmyst@reddit
Yesss lol
I'd also record as i watched and would pause for commercials and get commercial free movies haha
HLAW8S@reddit
I used to set my VCR to record NASCAR and always added two hours to the recording time.
NaturGirl@reddit
of course