Hi there,

I was wondering if the new DVD site will also allow us to offer VHS items?  While many people think that VHS is a "dead" medium, there are actually a great many VHS titles that are not and will never be produced to DVD that are absolutely wonderful.  I have literally thousands of VHS documentaries that I would be interested in swapping, for instance.  There are many folks (my parents included) who have not and do not plan to adopt the DVD format.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

~ Trish

I agree, I would love that!  I don't have a dvd player yet, and there are still many VHS tapes I'd like to acquire.  As well as many I'd like to trade out!

I know we asked about this when Robert first mentioned it, and I know it was in the discussions they had, but I don't know if they decided to include them in anyway or not. Since the name is SwapAdvd, I'm betting not, but I also bet there will be a forum like the Book Bazaar where you could trade two VHS for a DVD or something? That would work for me!

I have sooooo many VHS I sure am still keeping my fingers crossed for some option that includes them.

I have a pile of VHS also. Lots of children.

I, too, have lots of VHS for children that I'd love to pass on as my children are getting older.  Do we have ANY idea of the time table for the DVD site opening?  Thanks!

I'm gratified to see so many other VHS people!

On the CD Swap site forums, one of the staff members indicated that they are hoping that the DVD site will be up and running within a couple of months.

It will be an rolling for a bit if all goes well. After long deliberation we decided to not include VHS on SwapaDVD.

Robert 

Way cool! You guys are the best! I know it must have been a tough decision but I can understand why you've decided not to include VHS on the new site.

Probably a wise decision.  Tons of bad VHS tapes have been dumped in the secondary market because so few people use them anymore.  If I wanted them, I could get them for free, and who knows how many of them really play?  The medium is just inferior.

I know this is kind of off-topic and I'm sorta hijacking this thread but....

Is there any info on how this is going to be run?  I'm assuming similar to swapacd...where there will be a transaction fee for each request.  Will there be a minimum number of DVD's that we would have to post?  I understand that VHS tapes won't be swapable on the site but I have a ton of VHS tapes that I would love to replace with DVD's and this sounds like a good (potentially inexpensive) alternative to use to replace those VHS tapes...only thing is I'm not sure how many DVD's I have that I want to actually trade (might be one or two...I'll have to take a look at that).  Will we be able to transfer PBS credits to the swapadvd site (and vice versa)?

Yeah, but I have soooo many perfectly good VHS tapes and I am an honest person. I think that there are lots of people out there just like me.

You will be able to transfer credit between PaperBackSwap, SwapaCD and SwapDVD with ease. There will be no transaction fee on the DVD site, it will basically be the PaperBackSwap of DVDs!

Robert

Robert,

Would you consider taking a poll of your members to see how many would like a VHS swap site? 

Thanks,

Marla Maye

Put me on the "I'd like to swap vhs, too" list.  Maybe two vhs for one dvd, or something?  Don't know....

Phooey on the size of my vhs closet

I'd really like an opportuntiy to trade VHS even if there had to be a special club set up for it similar to Boxing.  I have scads of brand new (still in shrinkwrap) A&E and History Channel VHS that I think others here might really enjoy.  Things like Biography and Modern Marvels - the topics really run the gamut. (I got them in a liquidation deal a while back.)  Also, both of my parents are VHS people so it would be nice to be able to pick up items for them as well.

OK - well here's hoping - but regardless, I am SO excited about the DVD site and I can't wait for it to roll-out!

~ Trish

re: minyutette - 95% of my VHSs are in their original boxes. I would expect that the ones that were not in their original boxes would not be tradeable.  I would expect the same for DVDs.

How many people out there have the original boxes to their VHS and DVDs? Is this a problem for most people?

Marla Maye

In regards to DVDs and their original boxes:  when DVDs first came out I bought and used one of those special media binders to hold the disks and artwork.  I have 2 or 3 books full of perfectly good DVDs with at least some of the artwork but the original cases are long since toast.  I have a feeling there are many, many more folks just like me.  I have no problem putting the DVDs in a case but requiring it to be the original case, I think, is a bit anal (that's not a jab at anyone!).  I see the case as being a function of shipping and storage - not a testament to the quality of the DVD.  VHS is a different issue all together due to their age and the nature of the media.

Just my opinion - no doubt there has already been a ruling on this issue and I'd love to know what it was.

~ trish

I have most of the original boxes for my VHS and all the original boxes for my DVD's.  I don't mind a vhs without it's cover because I can still stick a sticker on the side so that I can see what it is.  Also, it doesn't need protection from scratches.  I like DVD's with a case because then I can see what it is and protect it from scratches.

Phooey on the amount of DVD's we ruined during construction  (plaster dust and dvd's do NOT mix!!)

Is there an offical site where it says DVDs will need to be in their original cases?

You mean the case you got from the store in?  Would one of the plastic cases you put  CD's you burn in be ok. You can tell the DVD isn't  a copy?????

Robert posted this in CMT ~

The SwapaDVD Team thought that we would give you all an update on progress of the new site and give a few details on what many of you have been wondering.

1. No transaction fee, ala PaperBackSwap of DVDs.
2. Transfering of credits between PaperBackSwap, SwapaCD an SwapaDVD will be made with ease.
3. Cases will be required.
4. Great progress has been made and we are on schedule for pre-Christmas release. Note, this is not a promise but rather an estimate.

It doesn't specify if it needs to be the original case.