Home Video Is Officially Dead

Japanese electronics maker Funai Electric is pulling the plug on the world's last video cassette recorder.

A company spokesman confirmed on Monday that production will end sometime this month.

He said the company wanted to continue production to meet customer requests, but cannot because key component makers are pulling out due to shrinking demand for VCRs.

 Many families and libraries have content stored in the VHS format and want to convert the tapes to DVD.

They can do so using VHS/DVD converters, known as "combos" in Japan. Funai will be rolling out such products later this month, the spokesman said.

Funai's VCR factory, which is in China, is off-limits to media coverage for security reasons because other products are made at the same plant, he said.

Funai began making videotape players in 1983, and videotape recorders in 1985. The company says they were among its all-time hit products.

Last year, Funai made 750,000 VHS machines that played or recorded cassette tapes. In 2000, it made 15 million of them, 70% for the US market, according to the company, based in Osaka, central Japan.

Panasonic withdrew from making VCRs several years ago, leaving Funai the only manufacturer.

Funai will continue selling VCRs through its subsidiary until stocks run out and will provide maintenance services as long as it can, the company spokesman said.

Culled -dailyrecord.

*The older ones might one day become collectors items.