A sad note

[Michaelson]

VHS is the market leading format becasue of porn.

Sorry, this is the one comment I don't agree with. I was there during the infamous 'format wars' that took place when the 1/2" formate was introduced. Originally, it was for strictly for commercial use, and NOT consumer based. We were wrestling with 1/2 inch reel to reel, and the most 'compact' format we had that we lugged from job to job was 3/4 " U-Matic.

JVC and Sony came up with their idea to replace those monsters with 1/2" Beta or VHS formats. Personally, I was all for Beta, as it used the same 'U' feed in it's mechanism, and therefore edits were cleaner and physically easier on the videotape. VHS, on the other hand, uses 'M' feed which essentially 'smacks' the videotape onto the record/play heads of the rotating drum.

It was cost that gave VHS the win, as JVC could produce and sell the units for 1/2 the cost of the most bare bone Beta I machine produced. These were then purchased and used by government agencies for our work. It was only THEN that lower cost commercial units were produced, allowing those 'nar-do-wells' to make their skin flicks.

Ok, help me down off my soapbox. My knees are tired.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[reetpleat]

Sorry, this is the one comment I don't agree with. I was there during the infamous 'format wars' that took place when the 1/2" formate was introduced. Originally, it was for strictly for commercial use, and NOT consumer based. We were wrestling with 1/2 inch reel to reel, and the most 'compact' format we had that we lugged from job to job was 3/4 " U-Matic.

JVC and Sony came up with their idea to replace those monsters with 1/2" Beta or VHS formats. Personally, I was all for Beta, as it used the same 'U' feed in it's mechanism, and therefore edits were cleaner and physically easier on the videotape. VHS, on the other hand, uses 'M' feed which essentially 'smacks' the videotape onto the record/play heads of the rotating drum.

It was cost that gave VHS the win, as JVC could produce and sell the units for 1/2 the cost of the most bare bone Beta I machine produced. These were then purchased and used by government agencies for our work. It was only THEN that lower cost commercial units were produced, allowing those 'nar-do-wells' to make their skin flicks.

Ok, help me down off my soapbox. My knees are tired.

Regards! Michaelson

Wow, we should have never resurected this thread if we knew it was going to result in such rancor and disagreement.

Alright, all those who are on the vhs was due to porn side line up on one side, all those who insist it was about cost, on the other. We are going to have it out over this one.

This may well drive an unreconcilable breach down the middle of the lounge.

(I am joking by the way) Cheers,

Mateo

 

[Dixon Cannon]

I'd just like to say...

God Bless Mr. Hugh Marston Hefner!

-dixon cannon

 

[griffer]

It was cost that gave VHS the win...

You are right, but in a way so am I.

I was not speaking to the production side, but to the distribution side.

The fact that VHS format was cheaper for distribution made it a choice for porn. Sony, then as now, wanted control over it's Beta format.

The market saw the VHS price tumble as more movies, including a TON of porn, were mass duplicated in this format. The format available at rental stores- a retail structure also driven in the early days by porn- became almost entirely VHS, so that when consumers weighed their choice between Betamax and VHS, cost and availability of rentals (including porn) played a part.

 

[Michaelson]

You're right. Let me go start loading up my guns and sharpening my knives. I can see it's going to be a long war...:rage: lol

Seriously, during that time, it was pretty ugly, as companies were investing quite heavily on one format while the industry was dukeing it out, only to discover they had backed the wrong horse, and were stuck with Beta I machines that Sony would not back or service when they lost out to VHS, so there were a LOT of unhappy campers in government services who were stuck with lots of brand new equipment, and no one who could play what was being produced, and Sony not taking it back.

Regards! Michaelson

 

[mysterygal]

It seems all the mom and pop video stores have totally gone away around here. Just about every store has the 'back room' for the 'adult' movies anymore. My view is, I don't like the industry at all, but, it's not going away. What gets me extremely angry is when adults let either the kids into the adult room with them, or subject them to the stuff. It's something that a child is just not mature enough to process, and I fear give the wrong idea about sex.
Although, anymore, you really don't have to go into the back room to get subjected to filth. Most pg13 movies have lesbian kissing, nudity, on so forth...things that I don't particularily want shoved into my face. The problem with these movies, is that what you just saw, even if you turn it off right away, it's stuck in your head.
I also think it's funny the comment of Americans fearing sex. I tend to think we are over-sexed. It's everywhere, go to any grocery store cashier line and you'll be bombarded with near-naked women and articles on every magazine for better sex.

 

[Dapper Dan]

Well, the argument is not whether or not we're bombarded with representations of sex so much as how we react to it. If you go to Europe, say, advertisements for strawberries feature naked people. Sex is, in general, much less of a taboo. The fact that we, mostly Americans, are here making a debate about something that would hardly be an issue in many European countries is pretty much proof that our aditudes towards sex are hardly Continental.

 

[mysterygal]

Well, the argument is not whether or not we're bombarded with representations of sex so much as how we react to it. If you go to Europe, say, advertisements for strawberries feature naked people. Sex is, in general, much less of a taboo. The fact that we, mostly Americans, are here making a debate about something that would hardly be an issue in many European countries is pretty much proof that our aditudes towards sex are hardly Continental.

Sex is good, it's great, but I don't want it to be shoved into my face. I tend to find this as a form of disrespect.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Sex is good, it's great, but I don't want it to be shoved into my face. I tend to find this as a form of disrespect.

I think thats exactly his point. Americans find it possibly disrespectful, while Europeans and many other nationalities worldwide, would not find it disrespectful to have it in a commerical for strawberries.

Cultural differences. Plain and simple.

Once again it boils down to remembering that everyone everywhere isnt 'Just like me'

 

[Dapper Dan]

I don't blame you. I don't, either. I just meant that by some standards, we as a society are prudish. Europeans, as I mentioned, often view Americans as puritanical. Just ask the French. And, if you do, be prepared to wait half an hour as they tell you, loudly and quickly, just what exactly is wrong with America. But they like Jerry Lewis, so I think we can safely dismiss their opinions on taste. (Joking, mostly)

That being said, I've yet to see an American director give us something as stylish as "Breathless." There, the double-edged sword of Frenchness.

What were we talking about again?

 

[mysterygal]

lol funny how things can get a bit off topic...well, I guess we were staying pretty close
No, I agree, we are more 'prudish' than other countries. But I really don't see that as a bad thing at all.

 

[MrBern]

America's strength is NOT her diversity, but rather her foundation on Biblical principles. To chip away at those principles is to commit cultural suicide. The New Testament is not vague about what is decent and what is not, so it would not be difficult to rewrite decency laws to reflect divine principles. I would certainly be in favor of Congress doing so, but won't hold my breath.

Actually I do think America's strength is the diversity. And I dont think theres any conflict between being a christian & appreciating diversity or respecting other beliefs
I dont think Christianity or the bible stands above & beyond the other religions of its non-christian citizens.
And every day I like to remember that the first european colonies in north america wouldve failed had it not been for the assistance of the non-christian natives.

But I do think its a sad situation that the pornography industry debases so many of its participants no matter what the financial or technological advancement.

 

[griffer]

But I do think its a sad situation that the pornography industry debases so many of its participants no matter what the financial or technological advancement.

Aw, but here is the rub. We- our society, the supposedly prudish Americans-make the industry what it is. It is the reflection of our repressed desires.

It is our Roman Circus.

And it is 'us'. 'They' aren't doing anything to 'us'; 'we' are buying and 'we' are financing it.

And then the collective 'we' gets their knickers in a bunch, screams 'won't somebody think of the children' and cry to the heavens that America has gone the way of Sodom and Gomorah.

Please.

Sorry MysteryGal, not personal, but the juxtaposition of your innuendu of your slinky,sexy avatar side by side with you prudish, protestant protestations makes my point for me.

'We' as a collective results in a society of hypopcrites.

 

[RedPop4]

I love when Europeans, or Europhiles (which I am, as well,) throw out the "America is so prudish" epithet. That's what it is, an epithet to denigrate others who believe differently. And here we are, where people pine for the long lost "Golden Era" where people had "respect and manners" and who seek a return to those days throw out epithets of disrespect to make a point. In fact, some would argue all the "movements" of the late 1960s and early 1970s undid the Golden Era and it's manners.

And here we are in this thread doing exactly what the undoers of the Golden Era did during those aforementioned times, when all the "arbitrary rules" were thrown out in favor of "if it feels good do it." Funny how the worm turns.

Why IS it that the "prudes" have to "get with the program" and quit being hung up on taboo?

Sadly, I've seen the same struggles that MK describes. I long to undo what's been done, but that's simply not easy, and certainly isn't rectified by "loosening up," or being more permissive with myself. I do NOT advocate laws or "repression" or **GAAAAASP** censorship, necessarily. But that's how people who argue for a modicum of respect are treated. People who argue for pornography often spit out "censorship" as an epithet, too. I'd like to see some couth, though. IN GENERAL, the very folks who often argue for tolerance or diversity are the ones who typically denigrate those who disagree with them.

 

[reetpleat]

lol funny how things can get a bit off topic...well, I guess we were staying pretty close
No, I agree, we are more 'prudish' than other countries. But I really don't see that as a bad thing at all.

Well, it may not be a bad thng to be prudish, but in the US we seem to have elevated it to a particular form of psychosis. It is an obsession and a neurosis. Our obsession with anti exuality results in many deviancies. Rampant sexuality in the medi and advertising is because sex sells because we are so bosessed with it. we as a culture do not have a healthy attitude towards sex becuse of it. If we could just accept it as a natural and healthy function of intimacy, we would not have so many problems with it being shoved in our face and exploited.

I am not talking about the good people of the lounge, but some of our so called mora lleaders are pretty messed up, which is why they end up in sex scandals.

 

[mysterygal]

I"m very comfortable with my sexuality but I still don't feel like I need magazine's loaded with naked people on them.
About what we are taught...this is a subject many parents are leaving for the schools, which is not their job. Like with my three girls, two are not old enough yet, but, I have a 10 yr old, who I incourage great self-esteem and the guidance on the kind of man to look for. It is not about showing off your flesh to all who will notice or just the act (though I know lots of people go for this), it is about two people who need to be treated with mutual respect. THIS is what I do not see being shown in the media.

 

[jamespowers]

I"m very comfortable with my sexuality but I still don't feel like I need magazine's loaded with naked people on them.
About what we are taught...this is a subject many parents are leaving for the schools, which is not their job. Like with my three girls, two are not old enough yet, but, I have a 10 yr old, who I incourage great self-esteem and the guidance on the kind of man to look for. It is not about showing off your flesh to all who will notice or just the act (though I know lots of people go for this), it is about two people who need to be treated with mutual respect. THIS is what I do not see being shown in the media.

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[mysterygal]

:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Thank you dear

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Watching Meredith Vieira talk about how she can't wait to get home and try out the new sex diet and my feeling ill isn't in the realm of Prude. I think I categorize that in the horror genre. lol Seriously, a lot of what the media thinks is "sexy" is just nauseating trash and doesn't do anything for me.

 

[griffer]

...It is not about showing off your flesh to all who will notice...

ORLY?

Did you read my post on the previous page??