I've never been a great fan of VHS - though I own a JVC S-VHS recorder which is a pretty good machine. I've always preferred disk formats like LaserDisc (of course) and the mostly-forgotten CED format. There's some really odd stuff on them which have disappeared into history, and sometimes they're in a purer form (such as the Tom And Jerry cartoons which can't be found uncensored on DVD - on LaserDisc they're original with all politically incorrect jokes included (which are a sign of the time and shouldn't be erased from history), along with the original soundtracks). Not only that, but the instability of the picture, and the lack of digital fringing (unlike DVD) gives them a much more cinema-like feel.
If you want original Star Trek series, I'd say LaserDisc would be your best bet really for the closest to how they were meant to be.
I suddenly want to watch my CED of "The Ninja Mission" - the only Ninja film I've seen where the Ninjas are so awesome in their black clothing, they try to blend into the background... of a snowy scandinavian country.
CED videodiscs eh?
Forgotten?
Until now, I'd never heard of them.
I had to look it up.
Interesting mechanics.
Over time does the analog playback degrade?
While I am impressed with Laserdiscs, I'm happy to standardize on DVDs.
I have a Blu-Ray player, but those discs are harder to decrypt, and the higher resolution isn't necessary for some playback devices.
Heck, to occupy myself during periods of delay, I'll often playback video I've converted to lower resolutions on my cell phone.
In fact, no matter what else it might hold, my multimedia folder always has a copy of the Stooge's "Disorder In The Court".