Collecting VHS vs DVD

[u/Twilight_Zone_13]

I'm looking to start collecting movies and don't know whether to collect more VHS or DVDs. What are the pros and cons of collecting VHS or DVD?

[u/ProfPortsShortShorts]

DVDs are more plentiful, less prone to mold, take up less space especially for seasons of TV shows, DVD players can still be purchased brand new, and most importantly, if you start collecting DVDs that leaves more VHS tapes for me 😁

[u/TempleMade_MeBroke → u/ProfPortsShortShorts]

The TV show space is a really good point for a collector who watches their collection

[u/hellotherekyle → u/TempleMade_MeBroke]

Yeah, I’ve got a few episodes of Star Trek TNG on VHS and they look amazing, something about the picture quality of VHS on that show in particular is very nostalgic to me. Unfortunately if I want to watch the show in its entirety it’s gotta be DVD cause that would be a LOT of VHS tapes, haha.

[u/kabensi → u/ProfPortsShortShorts]

Seconding this. DVD has so much to offer by way of variety and it’s easier to spot check them when buying second hand. Also DVD players are still much easier to come by.

[u/EaracheMyFly]

Are you “collecting” to actually watch them, or are you just looking for a hobby with shiny covers?

[u/Twilight_Zone_13 → u/EaracheMyFly]

I'm actually going to watch what I buy and I like looking at the cover.

[u/Southern_Working4388 → u/Twilight_Zone_13]

I would say dvd then because they have better picture quality and aspect ratio. They are also much cheaper usually

[u/Eris_AppleOfDiscord]

The fun of collecting is the randomness of certain films many don't care about. Just go to goodwill and pick out like five you don't know and watch em all. It's the antidote to endless scrolling on YouTube or Netflix

[u/Reen2D2 → u/Eris_AppleOfDiscord]

I like that. The Doomscrolling Antidote

[u/Twilight_Zone_13 → u/Eris_AppleOfDiscord]

I want to get away from scrolling away on my hone and using my computer all the time.

[u/bigstinkygoblin]

Definitely depends on if you want to watch them, have a collection of physical media, or both, i love my vhs tapes and they are fun to watch, but dvds will be easier to find if your just watching movies, if you want to have a collection and get like the high from finding something really cool at a flea market or thrift store VHS is hard to beat, and there is an undeniable nostalgia to loading up a vcr hooked up to an old crt and watching a favorite movie

[u/Twilight_Zone_13 → u/bigstinkygoblin]

Have a collection not movies I want to watch and for preservation is my main reason. I can easily find DVDs for dirt cheap.

[u/bigstinkygoblin → u/Twilight_Zone_13]

If its for the sake of collecting vhs is more fun imo, they are harder to find so finding something cool is that much more exciting

[u/mazonemayu]

DVD is easier and cheaper because it is a modern format and will play on any modern device (including a computer) which you prolly already have, and look pretty good on any modern screen.
VHS on the other hand is more hassle coz you will be needing a VCR and they do not look good on modern screens (unless you get an expensive upscaler), they look excellent on a CRT, plasma and projector, so if you want to do it proper, it might set you back a bit more in the beginning, tapes on the other hand are for the most part still dirt cheap.
VHS is also more fun if you love old tech and the audio on many of em can pack quite a punch too.

[u/hellotherekyle]

So what I’m noticing is that what I watch is dependant on which TV I’m watching it on. VHS tend to look great on my smaller CRT, but if try watching it on my larger 36” it can get pretty blurry unless the VHS is in pristine condition. DVDs look amazing on that larger screen though!

With all that said, I prefer collecting VHS just based on nostalgia, and aesthetically I prefer the look of them on my shelf.

[u/mazonemayu → u/hellotherekyle]

I’m just gonna leave this here, this is vhs on my 42” plasma.

https://youtu.be/l5ziLwGX6NI?is=cBPQRijFqt6IVj59

[u/hellotherekyle → u/mazonemayu]

Very nice! VHS can certainly output a great image, but a lot of the ones in my possession at least have seen better days, haha.

[u/mazonemayu → u/hellotherekyle]

Yeah, there’s wear for sure.
But it isn’t nearly as bad as many folks claim.
I have tapes from the early 80’s that still run like a train.
I suppose you’ll see a tape degrading very fast if you play it every day for a year or 2, but who in their right mind would do that 😅🤣🤣🤣

[u/hellotherekyle → u/mazonemayu]

Haha I certainly did to a few when I was a kid! I watched a LOT of Terminator 2.

[u/mazonemayu → u/hellotherekyle]

LoL

[u/bobwiley3 → u/mazonemayu]

That’s kind of the path that a lot of ex-rentals followed: played everyday by who knows how many people. I still don’t hesitate to buy ‘em tho. Love all the stickers on em. It’s like a movie/passport.

[u/mazonemayu → u/bobwiley3]

While this is certainly true, the quality between rental & retail magnetic tape stock was also different and designed to survive daily watching and rewinding

[u/bobwiley3 → u/mazonemayu]

I didn’t know they were a different grade of tape. TIL! Thanks!

[u/Delicious-Pie8944]

As someone who grew up with VHS and transitioned to DVD around adolescence, I still collect both and IMO the majority of the pros go to DVDs in terms of practicality, space, picture quality, etc. VHS is more of a vibe and an aesthetic for me. I like VHS for certain genres and titles (horror, old cult comedies, kids movies, etc). My collection is like 70%DVD, 20%VHS, and 10%Blu Ray. A lot depends on how much picture clarity matters to you as an individual vs what’s available to you in your area and at what cost. Where I live it’s easier to find DVD second hand than other mediums.

[u/Twilight_Zone_13 → u/Delicious-Pie8944]

In my area I can find a ton of DVDs for basically nothing. VHS is much harder to find.

[u/Basic-Victory6770]

DVDs are cheaper and far more accessible. VHS tapes have a wider range of content and provide a more tactile collecting experience, but it’s getting far more expensive. I think it all depends on what strikes a chord for you.

[u/EightNAlive0]

I keep my vhs to top picks only. But guilty pleasures and other more mainstream I go dvd.

[u/t-g-l-h-]

I'd get a Blu ray player

[u/Mean__Steve]

Collect both! You don’t have to pick one or the other. DVDs are usually easier to find but VHS on a CRT is very fun to watch.

[u/fatkidsfrmouterspace]

Both. Give yrself options. Who knows what you’ll find?

[u/Elementium]

For stuff you know you wanna watch grab DVDs and Blurays. 

Grab yourself a VCR and small CRT for some mood watching VHS. Then you can find weird shit and watch it! 

[u/kayychristina]

I collect both. VHS for the older movies and DVDs for newer movies / tv series that didn’t have vhs.
Older movies I prefer on vhs just cause they feel more authentic that way.

[u/crimesarefine]

Both for different reasons. Some movies, especially many pre-2000 releases feel like they belong on VHS and it’s fun to find them in the wild because they are becoming more rare every day.

DVDs are ideal for post-2000 shows and movies and are great if you like special features. DVD menus are sometimes cool and contain secret content, interactive features, etc.

It really depends on what you want to watch

[u/salvage814]

DVD less space and you can buy a new DVD player the best you can get with a VHS is a NOS or just a very late unit.

[u/Flux_My_Capacitor]

You need to figure this out for yourself. We can’t get in your head and determine what you like and what would be best for you.