Comments | lunda: Build-in Obsolescence

lunda

Build-in Obsolescence

Mar 12, 2008 09:38

Last night I sat down to change the times on my VCRs. When I got to my trusty Magnavox that I got in 1989, I noticed the date was wonky: 03 12 88. So I fixed it to say 03 11 08, but the 8 button didn't seem to be working. I got nothing when I pushed it again and again and from a zillion different angles. Finally, I was like huh, let me try the 7 ( Read more... )

Comments 11

vampirefan March 12 2008, 15:14:12 UTC

Wow... how... random. why 2008? maybe there's a hack out there somewhere? google for your manual. i wonder if anyone else who has your same model has posted about it...

lunda March 12 2008, 15:17:55 UTC

I'm guessing it was designed/built in 1988, and they figured that none of the VCRs would still be working after 20 years.

I have the manual, so maybe I will Google it and see if anyone has the same thing going on.

ladysilverlark March 12 2008, 16:36:20 UTC

The amusing little quirks of our electronics. I use to have a little pocket organizer. I refused to do dates passed 2006 I got it in the early 90's.

lunda March 12 2008, 16:53:34 UTC

Too funny. At least my VCR isn't alone in being dateless.

ladysilverlark March 12 2008, 16:57:46 UTC

Well I recycled my organizer since I could not get the right days of the week with the date. But a vcr I would not care about. as long as it would still recored every thing.

waywardbound March 12 2008, 20:14:27 UTC

Why not set it to 2004, so you stay in sync with leap year and only have to update every four years? Or even 2000 to make it every 8 years.

lunda March 12 2008, 20:17:35 UTC

Oooh. Good idea. Thanks sweetie!

waywardbound March 12 2008, 20:39:19 UTC

Or even better, make it 1988. That way the last digit will always be accurate, too. And your VCR will think it's still in it's hay day! Just remember to wear the jean jacket and jelly bracelets when you set it, so it doesn't get suspicious. :)

lunda March 12 2008, 20:43:24 UTC

Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee.

maystone March 12 2008, 22:46:28 UTC

That's amazing. Have you ever had it serviced, or has it been chugging along serenely all these years? I think you should write Magnavox and let them know that their creation still lives. It's alive. Aliiiiiiiive!

lunda March 13 2008, 13:46:28 UTC

Hee. I may have to name it FM (Frankenstein's Monster) or EB (Energizer Bunny).

No, I've never had it serviced. It just keeps going along taping my shows. Sometimes it turns itself off and on at will, but beyond that nothing anomalous.

Off to find the Magnavox Web site's comments section.