Philips predicts VCR demise

Global electronics company Philips is predicting the demise of the humble VCR within three years -- coincidently announcing plans to launch its first DVD-Video recorder.

Philips says the DVDR1000, based on DVD+RW technology, will herald the most significant advancement in consumer recording in almost 20 years, when it hits the shelves in October.

The electronics giant says the release of the DVDR1000 signals the beginning of the end of the VCR format and the trusty VCR.

"DVD was launched in 1997, and since then almost 500,000 DVD players have been purchased, which is a phenomenal penetration rate for such new technology," said Johnathan Wight, Marketing Manager, Philips Consumer Electronics Australia.

Philips expects this take-up rate to increase dramatically in the next two years.

"For example, sales of DVD players will account for 40 percent of playback systems (both VCR and DVD) this year, which means far fewer VCR machines will be sold," Wight said in a statement.

"Within two years we predict that the VCR will no longer be the main visual format, and within three to four years DVD-Recordable will account for half of DVD-Video sales," he said.

One problem for many households could be the price. The recorder will retail for around £2,500.

See Chips Central for daily hardware news, including interactive roadmaps for AMD, Intel and Transmeta.

Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Click on the TalkBack button and go to the ZDNet News forum.

Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom. And read other letters.