2oldman writes "Then you're better off to re-buy them on DVD. The quality will be much better,and it's a whole lot less work. Not ALL of them, of course, just the ones you like enough to spend more money on."
Not ALL DVD "reissues" have "better quality" than a VHS, not to mention DVDs do have a set amount of time for the length of the movie..
Top quality DVD spec allows for 1hr video for 4.7 gig, this means older single layer DVDs HAD to be pressed using a much lower bit rate. The lower bit rate allows for 2hrs of video but that video is now THE SAME QUALITY AS SP 2hr VHS :S
In order to fit a average 110-115 minute movie PLUS "extras" that means they had to lower the bit rate to equivalent to SLP (AKA 6hr speed) VHS in order to fit it on a single layer DVD.
Fast forward to newer DVDs, they now have "dual" layers which doubles the DVD capacity to 9.4 gig which now allows 2hrs of video at full DVD quality.. The downside of dual layer is some older DVD players don't work well with them or some players may have a few glitches at the layer break..
"I find it's a treat to buy the same music again say, from vinyl to CD, and hear the difference. With movies they will look much better than you realized they could, definitely sound better, and often have features the old tapes don't have."
If do not feel it is a "treat" to pay a SECOND TIME for something I already have paid for. I just do not throw money out just because some media goes out of "style".
I still have vinyl records which do sound much better than the factory reissued CD of that album. For those I found it was better to make my own CD of the record (using a standalone commercial CD recorder) so I can control the sound quality better.
Over the years I have had 8tracks, reel to reel, cassette, CDs and now MP3/WMA.. They all have their nuances and a certain sound with much of the digital versions often sounding flat or sterile.
"That said, even DVDs are becoming passe with so much streaming content now online."
I don't buy into the "online" or "cloud" versions, I would rather have some PHYSICAL media which I can hold in my hand.. Online stuff can and does disappear so buying it and storing it online is a fools paradise making you think it is safe..
When your cloud suddenly no longer accepts your password/account or is completely empty then what will you do if that is where you only copy resides?