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After much hemming and hawing, we FINALLY got a DVD player this Christmas. Biiiiiiiiiiiiig mistake... because we LOVE IT AND WANT TO REPLACE EVERYTHING WITH DVD. What's the big deal, considering how much more a DVD can cost? Well, it depends. If you aren't a huge movie person, i.e. you could care less if something is letter-boxed and movie documentaries suck, then don't bother. If, however, you are a movie... oh hell, you're a movie SNOB, here are just a few reasons why VHS deader then the XFL .
1. Extras. The most obvious reason. Check out the 'Gladiator' DVD. Two disks, both PACKED with tons.. and tons... and tons.. and TONS of stuff. And not just trailers, either. Commentary from Ridley Scott, not one but TWO documentaries, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. ... sorry, had to wipe the drool. The point is with VHS, all you get is the movie. Period. Ok, SOMETIMES you'll get an obligatory, LAME 10 minute interview, but that's it. With DVD's data-carrying capacity, you have hours and hours of fun. Ok, so the 'music only' version of the movie is a little too bizarre. Still, if you wanna play 'Mystery Science Theater 3000', here's your chance.
2. Fast forwarding. Ah, nothing like ruining a tape by constantly rewinding/fast-forwarding over your favorite spot. Hey, no more worries with DVD. Oh, and if the maker has a clue, there is a huge scene-selection menu on your DVD so you can select the precise moment you want to relieve.
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3. Letter-box. What's the big deal about letter-boxing? Perfect example; 'The Empire Strikes Back.' There's a scene where Vader is in the 'Executor' having a humongo 'conference call' with all the captains. So there you have Vader, standing there surrounded by all these captains in holograms. Well, unbeknownst to everyone, one of the commanders is wasted by an asteroid that hits the bridge of his ship. He cringes in terror, screams briefly, then his hologram just 'blinks' away. Naturally, none of the other commanders or Vader notices. Well, if you didn't have letter-boxing, YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS ON THE VHS VERSION. Remember, a film-maker isn't creating a scene for a TV screen, he's creating for a movie screen that's wider. Granted, VHS does a good job of keeping as many scenes as possible whole, but you can miss sooooo many fun things on the side.
4. Packaging. Let's be frank here; VHS packaging is like getting an audio cassette; you get the tape, MAYBE a lyric sheet, and that's it. With DVD, done properly, you get a very nice snap-case, some cool pictures, even a booklet. Ah, to enjoy the movie experience. heheheheheheheheheheh.