Wanted: Working VCRs & Walkman

A major catastrophe was averted today. My bedroom VCR stopped working a couple days ago so I figured I would have to just go out an buy a new one. But that isn't exactly possible.

We went to Bi-Mart first, they no longer carry VCRs. Next to Target -- they only sell VCR/DVD combo units. Figuring that I have already bought two DVD players this year, I can't see why I want yet another one. I also dislike more expensive combos because you often to have to replace both parts when one stops working. Seems stupid and more expensive to me.

So off to Best Buy, but they only carry VCR/DVD Recorders (at around $300 each). What a total waste of time and energy!

I even looked online and could only locate VCR/DVD combos or 'refurbished' VCRs from unknown companies. Clearly the rest of the world has moved on to TiVo type stuff, but I don't know anything about it. Will it allow me to record in the living room and watch in the bedroom? How much does this stuff cost? Why do I care when the old technology works fine most of the time and I can't afford to replace my VHS movies with DVDs?

Well, I did find a website that told me how I could probably 'fix' the VCR, so I took it apart (a TV/VCR combo itself) and I did my best to clean it. Finally, I did get it working again and it seems fine for now, but I don't know what I'll do when either of the VCRs really does die.

So, if you have an old, working VCR that you don't want any longer (or know someone who does) please let me know. It's an important part of my coping/survival strategy to be able to tape OPB programming at night and watch it at another time. I need to insure I will be able to do that in the future.

Relatedly, I'm working on a family history project which entails transcribing an oral history on cassette tape. I do have a walkman-style player which works, but it would be really, really helpful to have one with Review/Cue functionality. What this means is while on (play), I can press rewind and it scans back and starts playing again when play is released.

I've gone everywhere in Portland and have only found a table top player. I don't believe this will help much because I will lose the headphones, and the voice is not easy to understand -- the quality is also quite poor at times. A used table top unit might come in handy as backup, but a stereo style unit probably won't help.

If you have either of these and would like to dispose of them, please use this form to email me ASAP.