Small trip in the Wayback Machine: I was watching through some time-shifting VHS tapes from ca. 2004 and found a glitzy commercial--from prime time network television no less--for Panasonic DVD recorders, complete with reference to the Diga trademark and all the splendid ways these machines would change your life (which, for some of us, they have). Think of it: barely 5 years ago, we were mainstream.

Yup, it was nice while the potential still seemed good:). Unfortunately Panasonic had difficulty promoting the DVD-RAM concept to skeptical consumers who wanted a universal disc, and by the time DVD-R became common the inability to use it exactly like a VCR pissed everyone off. But man oh man, if you made the effort to learn those wonder recorders, they made 2003 seem like 3003!:D Speaking of tech commercials, I recently came across an old Beta tape (!) of some TV shows, one of which included two different ads promoting the debut of RCA SelectaVision CED discs! :eek:

Panasonic DVD recorders, complete with reference to the Diga trademark and all the splendid ways these machines would change your life (which, for some of us, they have).

That's my identity too, Diga . . . Do.

Yup, it was nice while the potential still seemed good:). Unfortunately Panasonic had difficulty promoting the DVD-RAM concept to skeptical consumers who wanted a universal disc, and by the time DVD-R became common the inability to use it exactly like a VCR pissed everyone off. But man oh man, if you made the effort to learn those wonder recorders, they made 2003 seem like 3003!:D Speaking of tech commercials, I recently came across an old Beta tape (!) of some TV shows, one of which included two different ads promoting the debut of RCA SelectaVision CED discs! :eek:
YES! Those were the days! Four competing formats, simultaneously: CED, LV, Beta and VHS. Choice and selection are over.:(

YES! Those were the days! Four competing formats, simultaneously: CED, LV, Beta and VHS. Choice and selection are over.:(

There is still a choice - I choose to ignore all portable media now and record direct to digital onto a HDD or flash memory card or view on demand streaming video from outlets like Amazon unbox, Hulu, or netflix. With on demand programming available now for thousands content titles both movies and tv shows, there is practically no reason to clutter up your abode with archived portable media of any type be it cassettes, VHS tapes, CD's, or any of the various DVD flavors out there. Of course that doesn't stop me from continuing to record TCM :eek:

For me, TCM is major, but so are The IFC, and Sundance. It's no coincidence that all these channels only show OAR films, whenever possible. :cool:

BTW, TCM is showing director Ken Russell's entry in the Michael Caine/Harry Palmer series, Billion Dollar Brain, on 3/27, in WS. It isn't available on DVD in WS!

For me, TCM is major, but so are The IFC, and Sundance. It's no coincidence that all these channels only show OAR films, whenever possible. :cool:

BTW, TCM is showing director Ken Russell's entry in the Michael Caine/Harry Palmer series, Billion Dollar Brain, on 3/27, in WS. It isn't available on DVD in WS!

FWIW, the October 2005 DVD release contains both a 1.33:1 version and the 2.35:1 version, according to where I rent movies mail order in Canada.

FWIW, the October 2005 DVD release contains both a 1.33:1 version and the 2.35:1 version, according to where I rent movies mail order in Canada.

Amazon US only lists the 1.33:1 version. Probably misinformation on their part. Thanks!