Filed under: Home Entertainment

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/tech_news/End_Of_An_Era_JVC_finally_shuts_the_door_stops_making_VCR’; We were fully prepared to start harshing on VHS as a dead-end technology that never went anywhere during its time in retail (as a joke, of course), and out of nowhere, a bona fide tear slowly ran down our left cheek. Today, friends, is a day worth remembering. Today truly marks the end of an era, as so far as we can tell, JVC really was the only company still producing standalone VCRs. Of course, the outfit will continue to serve customers with a need to play back VHS tapes by offering up DVD / VHS combo units, but those looking for a shiny new slice of retro in 2008 will be out of luck after remaining inventories dry up. All told, over 900 million VCRs were produced worldwide, with 50 million of those boasting a JVC label. We simply couldn’t think of a more fitting way to put the iconic VCR (which just turned 30 in 2005) to bed than by hosting up a poll and soliciting your input — here’s hoping the videocassette lives on in your domicile in one form or another, even if it’s just the resident dust collector.

[Via Impress]

Standalone VCR party finally ends, JVC shuts the door as it leaves originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Break out the tissues — the rumors were true. Or, at least it sure looks that way. As of right now, the only two TiVo units available on the outfit’s webstore are the TiVo HD and the Series2, and even if you do a bit of digging and find the still-active Series3 page, you’ll notice a glaring Out of Stock notification. Of course, you can still find leftover inventory hanging around at various resellers, but all signs are pointing to this being the final hurrah for the S3. Any touching moments you’d like to share in comments as we all bid the device a fond farewell?

[Thanks, Tim]

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming

Oddly enough, the far-fetched proposal is apt to be accepted. Circuit City has reportedly solicited the services of Goldman Sachs to help “negotiate a deal,” which will essentially put the troubled electronics retailer in the hands of someone else. As it stands, Blockbuster looks to be the most interested in picking up the pieces, with billionaire Carl Icahn (Blockbuster’s largest shareholder) agreeing to finance the get-together. Of course, it looks as if Blockbuster may be the only outfit interested. Not like that’s any surprise, however, as Best Buy itself is having to look to Europe to boost revenues with US consumer spending off from where it once was. The real question here is whether a Circuit City-Blockbuster combo would be the perfect concoction to turn things around for both flagging firms, or will we find that two sinking ships actually do go down faster when anchored to one another?

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Filed under: Robots

Back in November, we knew things weren’t looking up for the twin Mars rovers, but it seems that both Spirit and Opportunity will still be doing their respective thangs after a letter foreshadowing their doom was rescinded. Reportedly, the entity was tasked to slash $4 million from the project’s budget just yesterday, which would have forced Spirit into hibernation and limited Opportunity’s opportunities by mandating that commands be sent up every other day (versus everyday now). As it stands, NASA has issued a confirmation that neither creature will be affected, but given the apparent belt-tightening, we’re curious as to whether Scarecrow will still see liftoff next year.

[Via Physorg]

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/tech_news/Toshiba_gearing_up_to_drop_HD_DVD’; We’re not exactly sure what’s going on in Toshiba land, but shortly after not-exactly-believable whispers made the rounds of the firm suddenly deciding to try its hand at making a Blu-ray player, we’re now seeing reports stating that it will pull the plug on its beloved format “in the coming weeks.” Citing unnamed industry “sources,” The Hollywood Reporter is suggesting that the end may be nigh for the HD DVD format. Jodi Sally, VP of marketing for Toshiba America Consumer Products, was quoted as saying that “given the market developments in the past month, Toshiba will continue to study the market impact and the value proposition for consumers, particularly in light of its recent price reductions on all HD DVD players.” Of course, we aren’t exactly equating said statement to waving the white flag or anything, but whatever the case, it seems the death watch is in full effect.

[Via Home Media Magazine, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

We don’t foresee too many tears being shed over this news, but the Hasselblad faithful will probably want to know that the tried and true H2 product line has been nixed. Not surprisingly, the company reported that “demand simply no longer justified the dedicated manufacturing line required for its production,” and that it would be shifting those resources to the H3DII. On a more positive note, the outfit is introducing the H2F, which is being billed as a “greatly simplified film-only version of the H2,” so those (still) sticking with film can look here to get their fix. Lastly, the firm reassured H1 / H2 owners that it would continue to support those products “for a minimum of 10 years from the date of purchase.” So long, H2, it’s been a good run.

[Via CNET]

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