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Oldest Extant Off-Air VHS/Beta Tape You Have

Church rummage sale--Brunswick, OH
TAPE 17: Miracles at Knock, Lourdes, Fatima and Guadeloupe (documentary narrated by Morton Downey Jr.) taped from EWTN in 1988 (actually that's when the program was created, I'm not sure that this was the original broadcast)--markings on the case this tape was in indicate that it was originally in the library of Holy Family Catholic Church in Parma, even though it was obviously recorded off-air with the EWTN screenbug still intact. Unknown brand T-90.


Estate sale--Parma, OH--only one good tape in a sea of rental copies, boxing matches taped from HBO and TVKO Pay-Per-View and home videos; one such home video showed a group of guys hunting in West Virginia in 2003, so I was hoping to find some local TV content from local stations in the markets in that state, but no such luck
TAPE 18: CMT Bluegrass Sound (special hosted by Vince Gill), The Life & Times of Bill Monroe and partial episode of Most Wanted Live (special bluegrass edition as part of the network's "Red, White and Bluegrass" weekend) taped from CMT on 7/4/2002 minus most commercials. Maxell T-120.


Estate sale--Strongsville, OH
TAPE 19: End of Family Matters (months before the start of the station's local news operation), The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, As the World Turns, Guiding Light and start of Ricki Lake taped from WOIO on 11/21/1994 with commercials--subpar-to-poor aerial signal up until the second segment of ATWT, and during that time, WEWS can be seen ghosting in the background. BASF T-130.

TAPE 20: The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, Watercolor Workshop with Terry Madden, Sewing with Nancy, The Art of Sewing with Sue Hausmann, Martha's Sewing Room, Quilting for the '90s, This Old House, Hometime and partial episode of Trailside taped from WNEO/WEAO in Akron sometime in 1995 with promos; partial episode of Ricki Lake taped from WOIO in June 1995 with commercials; most of an episode of Jenny Jones ("I Want My Teen to Stop Having Sex") and partial broadcast of 19 News at 6:00 taped from WOIO in June 1995. BASF T-120, variable aerial signal throughout, weak at times.

TAPE 21: End of Ciao Italia, The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, Watercolor Workshop with Terry Madden, Sewing with Nancy, Sewing Today, Martha's Sewing Room and Sew Many Quilts taped from WNEO/WEAO in 1995 with promos; three episodes of Sewing with Nancy and partial episode of This Old House taped from WNEO/WEAO in 1995 with pledge breaks. Unknown brand T-120.
 
Trash talk host narrating a Catholic documentary? I think I've seen it all.
I have multiple eBay listings going up...a small lot of just S-VHS tapes, another lot of 30 tapes, 20 more are behind that one, also some specialty listings (cartoons, etc.) sold separately.
 
Scott2013 said:
It's been some time since I last updated anyone here on my VHS finds and that's largely because for the last month I have been getting hit with hundreds of content ID matches on my YouTube videos from some organization called "LDS Affiliate US" and I've been re-editing so many of my commercial videos as of late because of it. The uploading of any new material on my end will have to wait until I finish this "rebuilding" process with my previously uploaded videos. Based on my observations and the observations of other YouTubers, this "LDS" has been going after commercials that have been shown during episodes of Oprah, similar to how T3MediaSports used to go after ads shown during NCAA games. Just to verify that theory, I have seen them target a couple of promos for the Oprah show itself.

That said, it may take a while for me to upload my newest finds, but here's what I've come across in the last couple of months. This will have to take more than one post.

Starting with my eBay finds from Boise, Idaho, although many of the contents of these tapes were recorded from Cleveland stations. It should be noted that the seller has actually listed the contents of the tapes he finds and resells in a book that can be downloaded here.

TAPE 1: The Mummy (1999) taped from TNT on 1/13/2002 with commercials, then the DirecTV receiver flips over to WNBC in New York City for a partial commercial break and the end of Dateline NBC; end of Walker Texas Ranger and Blown Away (1994) taped from USA on 1/15/2002 with commercials. JVC T-120.

TAPE 2: The Patron Saint of Liars (CBS made-for-TV movie) and CBS 19 News at 11 taped from WOIO in Cleveland on 4/5/1998 with commercials; partial broadcast of The Web, The New Edge and CNET Central taped from the Sci-Fi Channel on April 5-6, 1998 with commercials; Fame: L.A., The George Michael Sports Machine and partial episode of Wild Things taped from WKYC in Cleveland on 4/6/1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 3: Partial CBS broadcast of Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers, preempted broadcast of CBS 19 News at 6 (top story is OSU's victory against Michigan), Seinfeld, Early Edition, Martial Law, Walker Texas Ranger, CBS 19 News at 11 and most of The Howard Stern Radio Show (with guest Cindy Margolis and an equally smoking hot friend of hers in a strip poker-style game complete with a wet T-shirt contest) taped from WOIO on November 21-22, 1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 4: Six Days Seven Nights (1998) taped from DirecTV Direct Ticket in December 1998 with Feature Presentation intro; The Thin Red Line (1998) taped from DirecTV Direct Ticket in December 1998. Polaroid T-120.

TAPE 5: Partial broadcast of Before They Were Rocks Stars III, music video block, Women First, Sex Appeal, Where Are They Now? (episode on the disco era) and partial broadcast of Pop-Up Video (special '70s edition) taped from VH1 on 1/6/1999 with commercials, also including an emergency alert cut-in from the Stark County Sheriff's Office regarding hazardous road conditions during the blizzard of that time. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 6: Two episodes of 7th Heaven and partial broadcast of WGN News at Nine taped from WGN on 4/13/1998 with commercials; partial episode of Masters of Fantasy, Time Trax, The Web, The New Edge, CNET Central and partial episode of The Flash taped from the Sci-Fi Channel in April 1998 with commercials; partial episode of Behind the Scenes (on The Jerry Springer Show) taped from E! in April 1998 with commercials; then reverts back to the same episode of The Flash on the Sci-Fi Channel in April 1998 with commercials; partial episode of NightMan taped from WGN on 4/14/1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 7: Beverly Hills 90210, Ally McBeal and partial broadcast of Fox 8 News at Ten taped from WJW in Cleveland on 4/1/1998 with commercials; G.I. Jane (1997) taped from Viewer's Choice Pay-Per-View in April 1998 with promos, partial encore presentation follows, as it was an All Day Movie Ticket feature. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 8: Partial episode of The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, Histeria!, California Dreams, Malibu, CA, The New Adventures of Robin Hood, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, The Beverly Hillbillies, Gomer Pyle USMC and partial broadcast of Midnight Cop (1988) taped from WBNX in Akron on 11/8/1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 9: Time Trax, The Web, The New Edge and CNET Central taped from the Sci-Fi Channel on 2/15/1998 with commercials; partial episode of Suddenly Susan, pilot episode of House Rules and partial episode of Caroline in the City taped from WKYC on 3/9/1998 with commercials; partial episode of Ally McBeal and start of Fox 8 News at Ten taped from WJW on 3/9/1998 with commercials; most of Dateline NBC and first segment of Channel 3 News at 11 taped from WKYC on 3/9/1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 10: Two episodes of 7th Heaven, The Ninety and Nine Club (religious program hosted by Ernest Angley), Team Knight Rider, American Journal: Coast to Coast (from the newsmagazine's final season), LAPD: Life on the Beat, Gunsmoke and then a partial Shop at Home Network overnight block joined in progress with partial broadcasts of The Knife Collectors Show and Plugged in Electronics taped from WBNX on May 25-26, 1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 11: Closing segment of Real TV taped from WJW on 4/14/1998 with commercials; partial episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer taped from WBNX on 4/14/1998 with commercials; partial episode of JAG, Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel and Brooklyn South taped from WOIO on 4/14/1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 12: Partial episode of Oprah (with guest Jim Carrey) and partial broadcast of Live on Five taped from WEWS in Cleveland on 4/27/1998 with commercials; 7th Heaven taped from WBNX on 4/27/1998 with commercials; 20/20, The Practice (Ally McBeal crossover), News Channel 5 at 11, Nightline (discussion about the launch of Viagra), Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher and partial Movie 5 presentation of Baby Girl Scott (1987 CBS made-for-TV movie) taped from WEWS on April 27-28, 1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 13: Ally McBeal (The Practice crossover), Fox 8 News at Ten, Murphy Brown, All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Mama's Family and partial broadcast of Extra (first segment delves into Jerry Springer's 1974 prostitute solicitation scandal) taped from WJW on April 27-28, 1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 14: Partial episode of M.A.N.T.I.S., CNET Central, The New Edge, The Web, Cool Tech, The Flash and partial broadcast of The Sentinel (1977) taped from the Sci-Fi Channel on 8/9/1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 15: Partial broadcast of NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Hard Copy, Entertainment Tonight, Friends, Seinfeld and partial rebroadcast of the ER movie taped from WKYC on 2/12/1998 with commercials; most of The Perfect Getaway (ABC made-for-TV movie), News Channel 5 at Eleven and partial broadcast of Nightline (Forrest Sawyer fills in for Ted Koppel) taped from WEWS on 2/12/1998 with commercials; partial broadcast of CBS 19 News at 11 (preempted due to the Winter Olympics) taped from WOIO on 2/12/1998 with commercials; partial broadcast of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and partial broadcast of Late Night with Conan O'Brien taped from WKYC on February 12-13, 1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 16: Figure skating during the 1998 Winter Olympic Games, CBS 19 News at 11, Late Show with David Letterman, Olympic Late Night, M*A*S*H, Coach, Strange Universe (hosted by former WOIO news anchor Emmett Miller) and most of In the Heat of the Night taped from WOIO on February 18-19, 1998 with commercials. Maxell T-120.
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The LDS People I heard went after one if my favorite YouTube users NorthernIndyMediaArchives and he was forced to shut down his page because of that. Another reason not to trust mormons.
 
Four tapes (three keepers) found at an estate sale in West Valley yesterday.

Tape 1 - Brief clip of Club Dance taped off TNN; cuts to several minutes of a bulletin board from YES-TV (public access channel in Yakima) in February 2001; cuts back to the FirstUnion Grand Slam of Skating taped off KCYU-LP/Fox on 11/8/1998 with commercials (clear, but in black and white due to VCR error); flips over to KAPP/ABC for the Thrifty Car Rental Skate America International with commercials (but the quality is pretty rough); about 2 hours of Lillehammer Olympics coverage taped off KIMA/CBS on 2/25/1994 with commercials (already have this from an estate sale in 2016). Maxell T-120
Tape 2 - Part 3 of Return to Lonesome Dove taped off Fox Family on 5/25/1999 with commercials. TDK Hi-Fi T-120, *in SP Hi-Fi*
Tape 3 - Starts with another clip of Club Dance taped off TNN circa 1997 with commercials; cuts to the Holiday Festival on Ice taped off TBS on 12/23/1997 with commercials; part of the Figure Skating World Championships taped off ESPN on 3/21/1997 with commercials; partial coverage of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and SportsCenter taped off ESPN on 2/14/1997 with commercials; partial broadcast of Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick taped off TNT on 8/13/1996 with commercials

Montana trip is just over a week away. Numerous thrift store stops along the way, plus estate sales in the Missoula area and back into North Idaho/Spokane. Sadly, about *four hundred* blank tapes sold today at an estate sale 45 mi S of Missoula (confirmed with the estate sale company as I was hoping they were 'left behind'). Too bad I wasn't there. I'm still hopeful that a wooden holder of '80s Montana recordings (or several) is awaiting me somewhere along the way. Who knows about thrift stores?
 
I just searched a lot of 60 Beta tapes from a Knoxville seller. I kept 23 tapes, with the duds being a mix of your typical zapped tapes with no commercials, among them include a couple tapes with several episodes of Star Trek: TNG recorded off WKCH, several tapes with various musical concerts mainly recorded off pay cable, the Shogun miniseries from 1980 (believed to be from the 1983 rerun (even though some tape stock dates to 1979), along with about six tapes that were unplayable due to heavy mold damage to the point that I couldn't manually rewind the tape.

Now for the finds from oldest to newest:

TAPE 1: HBO Championship Boxing from 9/16/1981 featuring the much-hyped Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Tommy Hearns fight, along with the Marvin Hagler-Mustafa Hamsho and most of the Mike Weaver-James "Quick" Tillis fights from the same night. No promos, but a great piece of early cable history that was a gateway drug to the booming cable service. RKO ColorChrome L-750 in BII.

TAPE 2: Relating a bit to the VERY first post of this long-running thread: a portion of the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather from 10/6/1981 covering the Anwar Sadat assassination, with a partial commercial break intact, followed by the Final Countdown (1980) off of presumably HBO or Showtime with no promos. Sony L-500 In BII.

TAPE 3: 16 segments of Aerobicise by Ron Harris from its first season (1981) taped off Showtime circa 1982, one of them a repeat from early in the tape, then footage from the 4th Space Shuttle launch off an unknown news source from 6/27/1982, followed by my oldest ESPN find so far: a seven-minute clip of Sportscenter from 1/14/1982 with a commercial break! It may not seem like much, but it contains a lot of NBA and NHL scores. Another Sony L-500 in BII.

TAPE 4: Cheech and Chong's Next Movie (1980) recorded off HBO on 1/20/1982, followed by a long 25-minute promo break, including several Video Juxebox videos by The Police. Yet another Sonly L-500 in BII.

TAPE 5: The CBS Special world premiere movie presentation of Ivanhoe off WBIR on 2/23/1982 with commercials, along with the first several minutes of the late news. The video quality unfortunately gets sticky near the end, so I'll likely have to sacrifice with a somewhat wobbly copy. Among the local commercials include an ad for the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville. RKO Color Chrome L-750 in BIII.

TAPE 6: Mountain Men (1980) taped off HBO on 4/19/1982 with eight minutes of promos after the movie. Sony L-500 in BII.

TAPE 7: Dogs Of War (1981) recorded off Showtime on 6/14/1982 with 16 minutes of promos after the movie, including an Aerobicise segment that was found on Tape 3, along with the first few minutes of 33 Brompton Place Sony L-500 in BII once again.

TAPE 8: A special pre-pageant special for the 1983 Miss USA Pageant from 5/12/1983 off WBIR with no commercials, followed by the beauty contest itself off WBIR/CBS with no commercials. I've already got most of this pageant off KDKA, but nice to see some rare local content, including a short interview by host Bob Barker. Early '80s Sony L-750 in BII.

TAPE 9: My only out-of-market find in this lot: the 1983 Miss Teen USA Pageant off WTVT/CBS on 8/30/1983 with commercials, followed by the complete WTVT 11 PM News from the same night (my oldest Tampa newscast find so far), along with about half of Benny Hill. Memorex L-750 in BII.

TAPE 10: Another pageant & a newscast: the 1984 Miss Universe Pageant along with the WBIR 11 PM News with commercials, along with part of an unknown movie along with five minutes of Showtime promos from earlier in 1984. Unfortunately, the tape feels quite flimsy, leading to moments where I need to press the rewind button instantaneously to keep the picture going, so I'll only record as much of the newscast as I can, which includes a short scene from a local Knoxville Shopping Mall. BASF L-750 in BII.

TAPE 11: The Dark Crystal (1982) recorded off HBO circa 1984 with no promos, followed by most of a summer rerun of Magnum, P.I. off WBIR/CBS on 7/12/1984 with commercials (begins about ten minutes into the episode), as well as the first few minutes of Simon & Simon. Memorex L-750 in BII.

TAPE 12: Another heartbreaker of a find: Consists of a full 4/12 hour aircheck from 8/12/1984 consisting of the final four hours of the 1984 Angeles Summer Olympics, beginning around mile 21 of the Men's Marathon, continuing through the final medal ceremonies, the closing ceremony, long closing credits, as well as the WATE 11 PM News and ABC Weekend Report. Similar issues to tape #10, so once again, local stuff only. BASF L-750 BIII.

TAPE 13: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977) taped off WATE/ABC on 12/30/1984 with commercials. Mid-80s Sony L-750 in BII.

TAPE 14: Four episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series off WKCH in January 1985 with commercials. Kodak L-750 in BIII.

TAPE 15: Predator II (1990) taped off an unknown pay cable network circa 1991, followed by a portion of the NBC Mini-Series From The Dead of Night, including about the last 15 minutes of part 1 and about the first 90 minutes of part 2, taped off WBIR on 2/26 and 2/27/1989 with commercials. Late 80s Sony L-750 in BIII.

TAPE 16: Begins with part of the Tennessee-Notre Dame NCAA football game, starting near the end of the second quarter, followed by the NBC Saturday Sports Showcase Jock Jams, taped off WBIR/NBC on 11/9/1991 with commercials+ (with the "+" referring to the special focusing on athletes starring in their own TV endorsements, including some behind the scenes footage). Late 80s Sony L-750 in BII.

TAPE 17: Neil Young: Live In Berlin taped off an unknown station with no ads, followed by an episode of ABC In Concert featuring the Grateful Dead from December 1991 with into or commercials, presumably taped off WATE. Memorex L-750 in BII.

TAPE 18: The first hour or so of the 1992 Winter Olympics: Share The World pre-games special off WKXT/CBS on 2/6/1992 with commercials. Sanyo L-250 in BII.

TAPE 19: Total Recall (1990) taped off an unknown premium cable station circa 1992, followed by about an hour's worth of primetime coverage of the 1992 Winter Olympics off WKXT/CBS on 2/18/1992 with commercials. Memorex L-750 in BII.

TAPE 20: Begins with another movie taped off an unknown pay TV station circa 1992 (no label, so I can't recall), followed by approximately the last 70 minutes of Race 4 from the finals of the 1992 America's Cup, recorded off ESPN on 5/14/1992 with commercials, then it jumps to partial broadcasts of SportsCenter and Speedweek, also taped off ESPN on 4/23/1992 with commercials. Early 90s Sony ES L-750 in BIII.

TAPE 21: Kicks off with four episodes from the Discovery Channel Submarines marathon from 2/14/1993 with commercials, then it jumps to the last 22 minutes of an America's Cup race off ESPN on 4/29/1992, then wraps up with the opening portion of the Wednesday Night Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox from the same night. Also an early 90s Sony ES L-750 in BIII.

TAPE 22: Starts with yet another unknown pay TV movie without promos, then cuts to A&E for reruns of A&E Stage: Delta Blues and about half of An Evening At The Improve from 7/27/1993 with commercials. Early 90s Sony ES 750 in BIII.

TAPE 23: Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation off WTNZ in May 1994 with commercials. One more Early 90s Sony ES 750 in BIII.
 
pannoni1 said:
TAPE 5: The CBS Special world premiere movie presentation of Ivanhoe off WBIR on 2/23/1982 with commercials, along with the first several minutes of the late news. The video quality unfortunately gets sticky near the end, so I'll likely have to sacrifice with a somewhat wobbly copy. Among the local commercials include an ad for the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville. RKO Color Chrome L-750 in BIII.
Click to expand...
I wonder if RKO used the same tape stock as Ampex. I don't even bother with Ampex VHS or Beta tapes unless someday I can get a food dehydrator to heat them up in. Those tapes have actually killed some of my VCR heads in the past. If I see an Ampex at an estate sale, I pass it, even if the label looks decent.
 
Montana trip was awesome. Tons of tapes found in various locations. Most came from two estate sales, one in Elk WA (25 mi N of Spokane) and another in south Missoula, close to Lolo. Some more came from the Spokane Goodwill Outlet, one marked with Xena. The former homeowners in Missoula lived in the Billings MT area until the early '90s, and I've been finding great 1980s TV content from both KOUS-4/KULR-8 Billings (nothing from KTVQ yet, but I'm sure that will be a given), as well as '90s goodies from the Missoula stations. This includes the series premiere of Full House (off KOUS-4, 9/23/87, with commercials) and the Ellen episode where she came out as a lesbian, taped off KTMF-23/ABC on 4/30/1997 with all commercials included. I've also been finding newscasts from KPAX, taped in 1995 and 1997. One of those has Shane Edinger, who later worked for KNDO/KNDU of all stations! There are also some tapes from the Veteran's Warehouse store in Wenatchee, including one for the Disney fans - two Disney Sunday Movies taped off KXLY in 1986 with commercials. A few duds here and there, including one with The Osterman Weekend and Halloween 4 copied from rentals, abruptly cutting to a copy of an '80s porno. To the trash it went.

The Elk WA estate sale had over 150 tapes all numbered, many with programs/movies on the labels. I saw a picture on Craigslist of those tapes, but they weren't in the living room. Their son and daughter (in their 40s) did not think anyone would purchase them, so they went into 3-4 Hefty trash bags to be sent to the landfill. Thankfully, they were still there and piled high with VHS tapes. There were also MANY tapes they threw out with family memories. They were thankful that I could help them organize the family tapes (Easter celebrations, Nevada and Mississippi trips, shots of elk and deer on their property, Christmases, etc.) and they planned to digitize them. Another tape (factory-recorded) had the mid-1990s instructional video for the RCA DSS/DirecTV system. I didn't pick that one up. Best of all, the Elk WA tapes were all *FREE*! I picked up approximately 20 tapes from that place.
I told them about the tape I found a few years ago that had coverage of the Spokane 1996 ice storm. They remembered it well, tens of thousands were in the dark and Thanksgivings were canceled for thousands more, as full power wasn't restored for a week to two weeks for some. I have a good 3+ hours of coverage from the ice storm with Randy Shaw (Q6) and Charles Rowe and Nadine Woodward (KREM-2). I always mention that I am hoping to find local footage more than anything else because there are no guarantees that local stations maintain their archives.

Full update later.

PS - the husband and wife that run the Missoula estate sales used to live in Selah, WA (just 6 mi north of Yakima) until around 2000. That blew me away!
 
This should catch me up to today:

Tape 83
1.9 episodes of American Government with Cecilia Flores 1978/1985 copyright dates look to be network master copies possibly for school educational uses?

Tape 84
1.2008/2/9 Gardner Webb at Kennesaw St NCAA Women’s Basketball fan cam sideline shot TRT 1h42

Tape 85
1.1986/5/30 Andy Griffith Show 2x19 syndicated (WFMY) (20m most)
2.1986/6/13 Andy Griffith Show 7x6 syndicated (WFMY) (22m most)
3.1986/9/x Andy Griffith Show 2x15 syndicated (WSOC) (31m)
4.1986/9/x Andy Griffith Show 2x12 syndicated (WSOC) (24m)
5.1986/9/x Andy Griffith Show 2x18 syndicated (WSOC) (24m)
6.1986/1/2x Firing Line partial episode with author of The Straw Giant with promos (WUNL) (9m)
7.1986/1/2x East/West Berlin Documentary (WUNL) (24m partial) TRT 2h35m

Tape 86
1.1995/1/19 ABC World News Tonight- last half (WGHP) (16m)
2.1995/1/19 Entertainment Tonight (WGHP) (30m)
3.1995/1/19 Hard Copy (WGHP) (7m partial)
4.1987/8 Fletch- Showtime airing + lengthy Superman 4 promo (1h41m most)
5.1987/8 Brothers- opening (Showtime) (2m) TRT 2h37m

Tape 87
1.1989/10/1 Anne Murray Greatest Hits Volume 2 (CBC) (59m) taped on US side with antenna?
2.1989/10/3 Thirtysomething 3x2 (WVII) small Bangor, ME market (55m)
3.1989/11/7 Thirtysomething 3x6 (unknown affiliate) (21m partial) TRT 2h17m

Tape 88
1.1989? 4 episodes of Police Squad with nearly all commercials cut (A&E) (1h31m)
2.1989 Inspector Morse on PBS Mystery (9m partial) with Vincent Price outro TRT 1h40m

Tape 89
1.1991/9/26 Darkwing Duck 1x16 “Can’t Bayou Love” (WLFL) (28m)
2.1991/9/26 Tiny Toon Adventures 1x55 “Viewer Mail Day” (WLFL) (28m)
3.1991/9/27 end of Beetlejuice animated then Darkwing Duck 1x17 (WLFL) 34m)
4.1991/9/27 Tiny Toon Adventures 1x51 (WLFL) (30m)
5.1991/9/27 Perfect Strangers syndicated episode (WLFL) (21m partial)
6.1991/5/xx Peter Pan & The Pirates and Tiny Toon Adventures repeat of 1x55 (WLFL) (37m)
7.1991/9/1x Rescue Rangers 2x4 (WLFL) (14m partial)
8.1991/9/28 Darkwing Duck 1x21 “Fungus Amongus” (WTVD) (29m)
9.1991/9/28 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5x6 “Muckman Messes Up” (30m) (WRAL)
10.1991/10/1 Star Trek The Next Generation 3x26 “Best of Both Worlds Pt.2” (WLFL) (1h)
11.1991/10/1 They Live 1st part (27m) (WLFL)
12.???? Unknown Laverne & Shirley snydicated episode bad signal (WLFL) (16m) TRT 5h54m

Tape 90
1.1991/1/26 7th Annual All Madden Team (WUSA) (58m)
2.1991/1/26 Super Bowl Memories Super Bowls 1 & 2 (ESPN) (41m most)
3.1991/1/26 ESPN Sportscenter -evening episode (ESPN) (30m)
4.1991/1/26 Super Bowl Memories marathon Super Bowls 3-10 (ESPN) (30m per Super Bowl) TRT 6h9m

Tape 91
1.1987/9/26 SNL Season 12 Episode 8 William Shatner hosts -1986 season repeat (WPTF) (1h25m)

Tape 92
1.1988/2/7 Elvis & Me Part 1 (WTVD) (1h55m)
2.1987/11/22 Marred with Children 2x11 (WLFL) (7m partial)
3.partial scene from The Sound of Music (4m) TRT 2h5m

Tape 93
1.1984/1/2 Orange Bowl Miami vs Nebraska (WNBC) (4h) Most complete version I’ve seen TRT 4h

Tape 94
1.1993/11/14 Return to Lonesome Dove Part 1 (WRAL) (1h54m) SP TRT 1h54m

Tape 95
1.Police Academy 4 copy from rental (1h23m) EP
2.1987/12/23 Top of the Pops- A Very Special Christmas (WRAL) (58m)
3.1989/5/4 Amazing Stories The Movie- Universal Debut Network (WLFL) (59m partial only Segment 3)
unsure on dates for 4 and 5 since historic TV listings differ
4.1989/10/22? Married With Children 3x21 repeat (WLFL) (30m)
5.1989/10/22? Open House 1x3 (WLFL) (23m most) TRT 4h13m

Tape 96
1.1997/10/x The Wonder Years Marathon- 8 episodes, 1 partial (3h53m) Nick at Nite
2.1997/10/x Dick Van Dyke Show (30m) Nick at Nite
3.1997/10/x Bob Newhart Show (30m) Nick at Nite
4.1997/10/x Rhoda (30m) Nick at Nite
5.1997/10/x Happy Days (30m) Nick at Nite
6.1997/10/x The Wonder Years (18m partial) looks to be 6 hour straight recording TRT 6h11m

Tape 97
1.1989/11/1x Cry Freedom (HBO)
2.1989/11/1x Man From Snowy River (HBO)
3.1989/11/1x Killer Klowns From Outer Space (HBO)
4.1989/11/1x Running On Empty (HBO (10m partial) 6 hour straight recording TRT 6h8m
 
Stanislav said:
What's the oldest still viewable off-air (not commercial) VHS or Betamax tape you own?

I have a VHS tape of news coverage of Reagan's shooting in March 1981 (I didn't tape it myself, but got it in a trade). Transferred to DVD-R some time ago, but the original still plays just fine after 25 years. I'm sure at least a few of you have something even older, even if you've long since copied it to other media.
Click to expand...
early MTV from 1982. Not the signon, just my favorite videos. Although I haven't tried to watch any VHS in many years, I still have players.
 
Tape 89 is a total gem. Nicely done, Chandler. Tape 87 would have likely had Anne Murray taped off CHSJ-TV 4 in Fredericton NB, not too far from the Maine border. It was probably on cable in Bangor or whichever nearby town they lived in.

Goodwill Outlet seemed to be good to me last week, as I found a tape with early *Toon Disney* from November 1998 or so! Darkwing Duck, Bonkers, and Quack Attack all with promos included. Awesome! Also two Xena episodes from 1996 with commercials, one off KAYU and the other one taped from WGN Superstation.

The Elk WA tapes seem to be about 75% n/c, 25% w/c. They used the pause button a lot. There are some gems, like the 1985 CMAs with commercials, but a lot of the movies and specials were carefully scoped for extra room.

One unlabeled tape from Missoula delivered a 1991 episode of Yo! MTV Raps with commercials. Again...no label to represent this. Another pop culture gem!
Full report should come next week.

Oh, I found several new tapes this afternoon at a yard sale on 32nd/Summitview in Yakima. Details also coming later. Some have Friends, CSI, and Survivor, others are early '90s miniseries shows.
 
More tapes found in the last couple weeks or so. Started with some surprisingly recent recordings on three tapes found at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Flea Market on its first weekend of outdoor operation (not nearly as many vendors then as there are in the summertime obviously). Better luck at the three estate sales I stopped at in the burbs of the CLE in the ensuing weeks.

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Flea Market (Berea, Ohio)--4/2/23
TAPE 1: Partial episode of Chasing Monsters, eight episodes of Lizard Lick Towing and partial episode of Mayday taped from WKYC-DT4 in Cleveland (Quest) in August 2022 with commercials; one partial episode, one full episode and one more partial episode of Mayday taped from WKYC-DT4 in August 2022 with commercials. Sony T-120.

TAPE 2: Partial episode of Hardcore Pawn, two episodes of Shipping Wars, two episodes of Monster Quest, three episodes of Modern Marvels and partial episode of Most Daring taped from WKYC-DT4 in summer 2022 with commercials. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 3: Two episodes of Chasing Monsters, three episodes of Monster Quest and one full episode and one partial episode of Mayday taped from WKYC-DT4 in summer 2022 with commercials. Sony T-120.


Parma estate sale--4/8/23
TAPE 4: Clip from The Ten O'clock News taped from WUAB in Cleveland in December 1994; Danielle Steel's Remembrance (NBC made-for-TV movie) taped from WKYC in Cleveland on 9/2/1996 minus commercials except for a teaser for Channel 3 News at 11 after the last segment of the movie; For Hope (ABC made-for-TV movie) taped from WEWS in Cleveland on 11/17/1996 with commercials. BASF T-130.


Strongsville estate sale--4/13/23
TAPE 5: Partial episode of The Brady Bunch taped from WBNX in Akron circa 1993 minus most commercials; partial episode of The Brady Bunch taped from TBS circa 1993 minus commercials; partial broadcast of The Last Days (ABC made-for-TV movie) and partial broadcast of 23 Newsday Weekend Report taped from WAKC in Akron on 10/29/1989 with commercials (AT&T was the sole national sponsor of the movie); partial broadcast of part two of Billionaire Boys Club (NBC miniseries) taped from WKYC on 11/9/1987 with commercials. Scotch T-120.

TAPE 6: End of Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade taped from WEWS on 12/25/1998 with commercials. Scotch T-120.

TAPE 7: Partial broadcast of SportsCenter (year in review special) and partial broadcast of Up Close taped from ESPN on 12/31/1993 with commercials; two partial broadcasts of Bradshaw on the Family (PBS 10-part miniseries) taped from WVIZ in Cleveland on 12/3/1989 with pledge breaks; partial episode of Life Goes On taped from WAKC on 12/3/1989 with commercials. Focal T-120.

TAPE 8: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) taped from HBO on 11/28/1987 with promos, somebody does some brief channel surfing in the middle of the movie and flips past the TV8 (WJW) American Legion Christmas Parade, which was traditionally held the Saturday after Thanksgiving in downtown Cleveland, hence how I was able to narrow down a date for this one. Scotch T-120.

TAPE 9: N Sync in Concert taped from WAM! in December 1999 with promos; partial broadcast of ABC World News Tonight Sunday with Carole Simpson and Wonderful World of Disney presentation of Model Behavior (ABC made-for-TV movie) taped from WEWS on 3/12/2000 with commercials. Fuji T-160.

TAPE 10: First 90 minutes of the 113th Tournament of Roses Parade taped from HGTV on 1/1/2002 broadcast commercial-free. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 11: Remainder of the 113th Tournament of Roses Parade (including an appearance by the Strongsville High School Marching Mustangs) and partial broadcast of Extreme Homes of Exotic Islands taped from HGTV on 1/1/2002 with commercials during the latter. Maxell T-120.

TAPE 12: 2000 Orange Bowl Parade taped from WVPX in Akron with commercials (not only did the Strongsville High School Marching Mustangs march in this parade, so did Copley High School's marching band); partial broadcast of part one of Gulliver's Travels (NBC miniseries) and partial broadcast of Channel 3 News at 11 taped from WKYC on 2/4/1996 with commercials (already have both parts of this miniseries taped from KNBC in Los Angeles). Scotch T-120.

TAPE 13: The Accidental Tourist (1988) and Dangerous Liaisons (1988) taped from Request Pay-Per-View in August 1989 with promos. GE T-120.

Left behind a lot of other tapes at this sale. Some appeared to be home videos, others appeared to be recordings of movies that may or may not also be from HBO or Request Pay-Per-View. A few home-recorded audiocassettes spotted in this basement as well, all of which appeared to be self-help tapes based on the labeling.


Parma Heights estate sale--4/14/23
TAPE 14: Ruthless People (1986) taped from unknown pay TV channel circa 1991; The Great Outdoors (1988) taped from unknown pay TV channel circa 1991; Duck Tales: The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990) taped from unknown pay TV channel circa 1991; end of The Coral Ridge Hour with D. James Kennedy and partial broadcast of Hour of Power with Robert Schuller taped from WICZ in Binghamton in January 1991 with commercials in between. Certron T-120.

Lot of other media found in the basement of this house, some of which was clearly NSFW. One unmarked tape I picked up that won't be making it to digital conversion is a six-and-a-half hour aircheck of Playboy TV from December 1990 with promos included (save for a few-second tapeover from a weekend broadcast of Newscenter 8 [WJW] with Kelly O'Donnell and the late Dave Buckel at the anchor desk circa 1992-1994). Had several Playboy Video Centerfold episodes, a broadcast of Hot Rocks (uncensored music video show) and other similar fare. Throughout that recording, while the Playboy TV audio could be heard, audio from Nick at Nite during Casey Kasem's Classic TV Countdown could also be heard, which was strange. Also spotted in the basement but not purchased was a home-recorded dub of the Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee sex tape and some factory-recorded Playboy Video Centerfold tapes, the kind you would have seen promoted in commercials for Playboy Magazine on MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central in the '90s.
The basement also had boxes full of audiocassettes, many of them home-recorded, but just about all of the ones that were labeled had one specific artist or band name written on the label (mostly rock). Several unmarked audiocassettes as well, which I'm wondering if I should have picked up a couple in case any of them were recorded from radio. I do still have a few radio recordings on cassettes from past sales that I have yet to digitally convert though, most of them from Christian stations.
 
If I saw 2022 content on a tape, I'd throw it right in the garbage. There is no need for recent recordings in my collection. Likewise for anything taped before the early '10s.
Not easy to find Encore WAM! stuff in the wild - nicely done.
 
chandler0201 said:
This should catch me up to today:

Tape 83
1.9 episodes of American Government with Cecilia Flores 1978/1985 copyright dates look to be network master copies possibly for school educational uses?

Tape 84
1.2008/2/9 Gardner Webb at Kennesaw St NCAA Women’s Basketball fan cam sideline shot TRT 1h42

Tape 85
1.1986/5/30 Andy Griffith Show 2x19 syndicated (WFMY) (20m most)
2.1986/6/13 Andy Griffith Show 7x6 syndicated (WFMY) (22m most)
3.1986/9/x Andy Griffith Show 2x15 syndicated (WSOC) (31m)
4.1986/9/x Andy Griffith Show 2x12 syndicated (WSOC) (24m)
5.1986/9/x Andy Griffith Show 2x18 syndicated (WSOC) (24m)
6.1986/1/2x Firing Line partial episode with author of The Straw Giant with promos (WUNL) (9m)
7.1986/1/2x East/West Berlin Documentary (WUNL) (24m partial) TRT 2h35m

Tape 86
1.1995/1/19 ABC World News Tonight- last half (WGHP) (16m)
2.1995/1/19 Entertainment Tonight (WGHP) (30m)
3.1995/1/19 Hard Copy (WGHP) (7m partial)
4.1987/8 Fletch- Showtime airing + lengthy Superman 4 promo (1h41m most)
5.1987/8 Brothers- opening (Showtime) (2m) TRT 2h37m

Tape 87
1.1989/10/1 Anne Murray Greatest Hits Volume 2 (CBC) (59m) taped on US side with antenna?
2.1989/10/3 Thirtysomething 3x2 (WVII) small Bangor, ME market (55m)
3.1989/11/7 Thirtysomething 3x6 (unknown affiliate) (21m partial) TRT 2h17m

Tape 88
1.1989? 4 episodes of Police Squad with nearly all commercials cut (A&E) (1h31m)
2.1989 Inspector Morse on PBS Mystery (9m partial) with Vincent Price outro TRT 1h40m

Tape 89
1.1991/9/26 Darkwing Duck 1x16 “Can’t Bayou Love” (WLFL) (28m)
2.1991/9/26 Tiny Toon Adventures 1x55 “Viewer Mail Day” (WLFL) (28m)
3.1991/9/27 end of Beetlejuice animated then Darkwing Duck 1x17 (WLFL) 34m)
4.1991/9/27 Tiny Toon Adventures 1x51 (WLFL) (30m)
5.1991/9/27 Perfect Strangers syndicated episode (WLFL) (21m partial)
6.1991/5/xx Peter Pan & The Pirates and Tiny Toon Adventures repeat of 1x55 (WLFL) (37m)
7.1991/9/1x Rescue Rangers 2x4 (WLFL) (14m partial)
8.1991/9/28 Darkwing Duck 1x21 “Fungus Amongus” (WTVD) (29m)
9.1991/9/28 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 5x6 “Muckman Messes Up” (30m) (WRAL)
10.1991/10/1 Star Trek The Next Generation 3x26 “Best of Both Worlds Pt.2” (WLFL) (1h)
11.1991/10/1 They Live 1st part (27m) (WLFL)
12.???? Unknown Laverne & Shirley snydicated episode bad signal (WLFL) (16m) TRT 5h54m

Tape 90
1.1991/1/26 7th Annual All Madden Team (WUSA) (58m)
2.1991/1/26 Super Bowl Memories Super Bowls 1 & 2 (ESPN) (41m most)
3.1991/1/26 ESPN Sportscenter -evening episode (ESPN) (30m)
4.1991/1/26 Super Bowl Memories marathon Super Bowls 3-10 (ESPN) (30m per Super Bowl) TRT 6h9m

Tape 91
1.1987/9/26 SNL Season 12 Episode 8 William Shatner hosts -1986 season repeat (WPTF) (1h25m)

Tape 92
1.1988/2/7 Elvis & Me Part 1 (WTVD) (1h55m)
2.1987/11/22 Marred with Children 2x11 (WLFL) (7m partial)
3.partial scene from The Sound of Music (4m) TRT 2h5m

Tape 93
1.1984/1/2 Orange Bowl Miami vs Nebraska (WNBC) (4h) Most complete version I’ve seen TRT 4h

Tape 94
1.1993/11/14 Return to Lonesome Dove Part 1 (WRAL) (1h54m) SP TRT 1h54m

Tape 95
1.Police Academy 4 copy from rental (1h23m) EP
2.1987/12/23 Top of the Pops- A Very Special Christmas (WRAL) (58m)
3.1989/5/4 Amazing Stories The Movie- Universal Debut Network (WLFL) (59m partial only Segment 3)
unsure on dates for 4 and 5 since historic TV listings differ
4.1989/10/22? Married With Children 3x21 repeat (WLFL) (30m)
5.1989/10/22? Open House 1x3 (WLFL) (23m most) TRT 4h13m

Tape 96
1.1997/10/x The Wonder Years Marathon- 8 episodes, 1 partial (3h53m) Nick at Nite
2.1997/10/x Dick Van Dyke Show (30m) Nick at Nite
3.1997/10/x Bob Newhart Show (30m) Nick at Nite
4.1997/10/x Rhoda (30m) Nick at Nite
5.1997/10/x Happy Days (30m) Nick at Nite
6.1997/10/x The Wonder Years (18m partial) looks to be 6 hour straight recording TRT 6h11m

Tape 97
1.1989/11/1x Cry Freedom (HBO)
2.1989/11/1x Man From Snowy River (HBO)
3.1989/11/1x Killer Klowns From Outer Space (HBO)
4.1989/11/1x Running On Empty (HBO (10m partial) 6 hour straight recording TRT 6h8m
Click to expand...
They include commercials and promos don't they? Also, I had a tape of Andy Griffith episodes taped from TBS in September 1989 but I left the tape at my uncle's and they taped over half of it and ruined the tape. I should have broke the seal off the thing because it was PURE GOLD!
 
crainbebo said:
If I saw 2022 content on a tape, I'd throw it right in the garbage. There is no need for recent recordings in my collection. Likewise for anything taped before the early '10s.
Not easy to find Encore WAM! stuff in the wild - nicely done.
Click to expand...
On the flip side, Spectrum doesn't carry Quest, so it was interesting to see some of the programs that are on that channel. I don't think I've seen Lizard Lick Towing in at least ten years. I remember watching it when it first aired on TruTV in my latter days of college. Evidently sister network Twist, which is also not carried on Spectrum but is available over the air in the Cleveland/Akron/Canton market, had at one point last year added Jerry Springer reruns to their program library because one of the tapes has a promo for said show on said network, but looking at Twist's schedule now, Springer's nowhere to be found. Maybe Twist felt they couldn't compete with Nosey (streaming channel on free IPTV apps like Pluto TV and The Roku Channel) and couldn't have both outlets airing the show.

If you remember the 10 tapes of seminars from the Ohio Peace Officers Training Association I got for free at one of the Hinckley community garage sales in September, I found something extra and unexpected at the end of one of those tapes. I found out Lorain County Community College used to have a student-produced news program called LC3TV, as a partially taped-over broadcast was found at the end of a tape. One of the segments of this particular show included an interview with former WOIO sports anchor and WKNR talk show host Ronnie Duncan at the CBS affiliate's studio facility. During Ronnie's on-camera interview clips, a syndicated rerun of Frasier could be seen playing on a couple of the monitors in the background at the studio, as WOIO aired the show at 7:30 PM weeknights at the time. Cool find! Haven't looked to see if any other broadcasts of LC3TV are accessible online, but I suspect not.
 
Tapes found so far from the trip. There are a couple more to check, and there are some Elk WA tapes I had to put in my storage unit because of current space limitations where I live. Another update later.

Veterans Warehouse Thrift, Wenatchee WA 4/4/23
Tape 1 - 'A Painted House' (2003) taped off KIRO/CBS on 9/12/2004 with commercials, nearly all Hallmark ads. TDK T-120 blank after 1:57 in SLP
Tape 2 - 'The Prince of Tides' (1991) copied from rental tape; after it ends is part of one episode and another full episode of Dallas taped off TNT in June 1992 with commercials (plus locally-inserted ads from TCI Wenatchee). BASF T-160
Tape 3 - Great tape for the Disney fans - Starts with 10 minutes of 'Superman' (1978) taped off an unknown CBS station (KREM?) on 1/4/1986 with one commercial break; cuts to 'The Girl Who Spelled Freedom' (1986) taped off KXLY/ABC on 2/23/1986 with commercials (translator K30AJ Wenatchee); part 3 of Anne of Green Gables taped off KSPS/PBS in March 1986; 'The Richest Cat in the World' (1986) taped off KXLY/ABC on 3/9/1986 with commercials; part 4 of Anne of Green Gables taped off KSPS/PBS in March 1986 with a pledge break afterwards. Maxell HG T-120
Tape 4 - 'Beaches' (1988) taped off USA Network on 6/28/1997 with commercials (local ads from TCI Cable in Snohomish County); part of the World Figure Skating Championships (Ladies) taped off KOMO/ABC on 3/22/1997 with commercials; partial episode of Early Edition and Walker, Texas Ranger taped off KSTW/CBS on 11/9/1996 with commercials; partial broadcast of Night Sins (part 1) taped off KSTW/CBS on 2/23/1997 with commercials. Maxell T-120 in HIFI

Goodwill Outlet, Spokane - made two trips here. April 4th and April 8th. A few rental dubs not shown.

4/4
Tape 1 - 'Anastasia' (1997), 'Mouse Hunt' (1998) and 'The NeverEnding Story' (1984) taped off unknown channels with no commercials; but ends with a fantastic surprise: episodes of Darkwing Duck, Bonkers, and Quack Attack taped off *TOON DISNEY* in November 1998 with promos!! This was just months after they went to air. Happy to find this! RCA T-120
Tape 2 - Two episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess, one taped off KAYU-28 on 1/25/1996 with commercials, the other taped off WGN Superstation on (I think) 2/4/1996 with some commercials; 'Project ALF' (1996) taped off KXLY/ABC on 2/17/1996 with some commercials (Have this already from KAPP Yakima); 'The Wraith' (1986) taped off unknown pay-TV channel; The Life and Times of Jimmie Rodgers taped off TNN in April 1996 w/ commercials. TDK T-120

4/8
Tape 3 - 'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993) taped off Showtime on 6/19/1994 with 2 minutes of promos prior to the movie, and the Private Screening with Nora Ephron segment at the end. Maxell T-120 in SP
Tape 4 - 'Sister Act 2: Back in the Act' (1993) taped off KXLY/ABC on 10/10/1999 with one commercial break included; part of 'Star Trek: First Contact' (1994) taped off unknown channel, part of 'Twins' (1988) and open to A Current Affair Extra taped off KAYU-28 on 11/10/1991 with commercials. TDK T-120
Tape 5 - 'The English Patient' (1996) taped off TVN Pay Per View in November 1997 with several minutes of promos and trailers afterwards; last half-hour of part 2 of Bella Mafia taped off KOIN-6 Portland/CBS on 11/18/1997 with commercials and a few minutes of NewsCenter 6 at 11, found a good 350 miles or more from the Rose City. TDK T-120
Tape 6 - 'Live and Let Die' (1973), 'Wheels of Terror' (1990), four infomercials (Murad, Sonicare, Rolykit, Time Life Rock 'n Roll Era), Court TV: Inside America's Courts, Headline News, Captain Planet, and Scooby-Doo taped off TBS on 12/5-6/1995 with commercials. Scotch T-160, unlabeled, taping over a few seconds of PPV porn at the start...thank goodness!
Tape 7 - Episode of Oprah Winfrey and 5pm news open taped off KOCO-5 Oklahoma City on 6/7/1999 with commercials; another episode of Oprah Winfrey taped off KOCO-5 in April 1999 with commercials. TDK T-120, unlabeled - first find from Oklahoma!

Elk WA estate sale tapes (so far, but there are another 15+ in storage that I need to inventory. Lots of pausing out on some of these tapes, some are going directly to eBay 'sold as blank' because of that. More likely to find local content on early '90s tapes rather than 1980s.)
Tape 1 - Clip of Good Morning America taped 11/18/1990 (Joan Lunden interviewing Pat Robertson); Donahue episode taped off KXLY-4 on 11/16/1990 with a few commercials (Biosphere II crew); clip of Geraldo taped off KXLY-4 in November 1990; episode of ABC's World of Discovery (The Secret Life of 118 Green Street) taped off KXLY/ABC on 12/2/1990 minus commercials; channel flip for Murder, She Wrote taped off KREM/CBS minus commercials; 'Decoration Day' (1990), Q6 News at 11, and part of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1981) taped off KHQ/NBC on 12/2-3/1990 with commercials (mostly Hallmark ads on the first film). Polaroid T-120
Tape 2 - The Door is Always Open (tribute to Sue Brewer) taped off unknown channel minus commercials; Austin City Limits clip with John Anderson taped off (presumed) KSPS/PBS in October 1985; 1985 CMA Awards taped off KREM/CBS on 10/14/1985 with commercials; Barbara Mandrell special taped in November 1985 minus commercials; The Winning Hand (country music special with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and others) taped off KXLY-4 on 12/22/1985 minus commercials. Sony T-120
Tape 3 - 22nd CMA Awards taped off KREM/CBS on 10/22/1988 minus commercials; Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong taped off KHQ/NBC on 5/20/1989 with some commercials; Austin City Limits episode with Johnny Cash taped off KSPS/PBS circa summer 1989; 23rd CMA Awards taped off KREM/CBS on 10/9/1989 minus commercials; Grand Ole Opry's 65th Anniversary Special taped off KREM/CBS on 1/13/1991 minus commercials. Certron T-120
Tape 4 - 'Gunsmoke: The Long Ride' (1993), KREM 2 News at 11 and part of HBO Comedy Showcase taped off KREM/CBS on 5/8/1993 - commercials were zapped out during the movie but the last break and the news are unscoped; Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O taped off KREM/CBS on 5/22/1993 minus commercials; From the Heart: A Tribute to Lawrence Welk and The American Dream taped off KSPS/PBS circa May-June 1993, pledge breaks paused out; ends with another clip of HBO Comedy Showcase taped off KREM/CBS early morning 5/23/1993 with commercials. Maxell T-120

Ronan MT - two thrift stores had tapes. Small town of 1,900 on the Flathead Indian Reservation, along US Highway 93. These were found on April 6th.
Tape 1 (Mary's 2nd Hand) - 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey' (1993) taped off KTMF-23 Missoula/ABC on 10/1/1994 with commercials; 'The Shaggy Dog' (1994) taped off KTMF/ABC on 10/29/1994 with commercials; ends with part of the Amerika miniseries (not sure which part) taped off an unknown station minus commercials. Master T-120
Tape 2 - (White Elephant) - Episodes of Survivor: Cook Islands taped off KPAX/CBS on 11/16/2006, 11/30/2006 and 12/7/2006 with commercials; episode of American Idol taped off KDVR-31 Denver/Fox on 2/22/2007 with commercials (Ronan's cable provider did not carry KMMF Missoula, the Equity-owned FOX station on channel 17. They carried Foxnet until the very end, then replaced it with KDVR Denver. Eventually, the KTMF-DT2 FOX subchannel replaced KDVR.) Maxell T-120
3rd tape was a home movie dud.
 
Missoula MT estate sale, 4/7/23, in the Miller Creek area south of town, down a winding hillside road to a house that overlooks the Bitterroot River and the Lolo area. Only one way out, unfortunately...back up the hill. But this place was packed solid. Garage, outbuildings, etc. and tons of VHS tapes. Homeowners lived in Laurel MT prior to the early 1990s, and apparently made recordings there in the '00s (or one of their kids lived there and liked WWE...) A few duds including one with '80s porn. Some great finds, including the 1997 episode where Ellen came out of the closet (never found this one before!) and classic early '90s MTV. The rest are posted here:

Tape 1 - 'The Ann Jillian Story' (1988) taped off KULR-8 Billings/NBC on 1/4/1988 with commercials (already have this); 2nd part of The Murder of Mary Phagan taped off KULR/NBC on 1/26/1988 minus commercials (have this somewhere w/ commercials, off KING Seattle); part of 'Bonnie & Clyde' (1967) taped off *KSTW-11 TACOMA* on 7/30/1987 with commercials...unexpected! Guessing they were visiting family in WA? Ends with the last few minutes of Hollywood Squares and the *series premiere* of Full House taped off KOUS-4 Hardin/ABC on 9/22/1987 with commercials. Sony T-120
Tape 2 - Last 10 minutes of Grace Under Fire, Ellen's 1 hour coming-out episode, and open to Primetime Live (on Ellen coming out) taped off KTMF/ABC on 4/30/1997 with commercials; part 1 of Stephen King's The Shining taped off KTMF/ABC on 5/1/1997 with commercials; full broadcast of The 10:00 News taped off KPAX-8 Missoula on 9/13/1997 (Mother Teresa laid to rest); part of another 10:00 News and a few minutes of Land's End taped off KPAX-8 on 12/2/1995 with commercials (Shane Edinger, formerly of KNDO/KNDU, does the sports!); most of 'Without a Kiss Goodbye' (1993) taped off KPAX/CBS on 3/21/1993 with commercials. Maxell T-120 unlabeled
Tape 3 - 'The Town Bully' (1988) taped off KOUS/ABC on 4/24/1988 with commercials; pilot of China Beach taped off KOUS/ABC on 4/26/1988 with commercials and an ABC News Special Report on the Pennsylvania Democratic primary; L.A. Lakers vs. Boston Celtics game taped off KTVQ/CBS on 2/19/1989 minus commercials (too bad); part of Something Is Out There (part 2) taped off KULR/NBC on 5/9/1988 with commercials. Unknown brand T-120, a little rough in quality.
Tape 4 - Mother Goose's Rock 'n Rhyme, 'The Looney Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie' (1981), 'DuckTales: The Movie: The Legend of the Lost Lamp' (1990) and 'The King and I' (1956) taped off Disney Channel on 8/24/1991 during a free preview weekend, there are a few minutes of promos in between the last two movies. Maxell T-120
Tape 5 - 'Pump Up the Volume' (1990) taped off unknown pay-TV channel; partial Richard Pryor comedy special taped off unknown pay-TV channel; Cheers finale taped off (presumed) KECI-13/NBC on 5/20/1993 with very few commercials; partial broadcast of MTV Most Wanted, Yo! MTV Raps and part of Headbanger's Ball taped off MTV in September 1991 with commercials...another awesome pop culture time capsule in the last 2 1/2 hrs. of this tape. JVC T-120
Tape 6 - Part of 'Thicker Than Water' (2005) taped off Hallmark Channel on 3/12/2005 with commercials; cuts to 'Happy Gilmore' (1996), 'Weird Science' (1985) and about 3/4ths of 'Shanghai Knights' (2003) taped off Encore on 3/13/2005 with promos in between. TDK EHG T-120 in HIFI and completely unlabeled
Tape 7 - Half of WWE Smackdown! on a one-day delay, taped off KHMT-4 Hardin on 8/21-22/2004 with commercials - there was no UPN station in town. Sony T-160 in SP, unlabeled, leaving over 1.5 SP hours blank
Tape 8 - 'Best Laid Plans' (1999), 'Serpico' (1973) and episode of The West Wing taped off Bravo on 8/30/2004 with commercials. Sony T-120, taped over The Judds' final concert and a Mariah Carey concert, unfortunately.
Tape 9 - 20 minutes of Dateline NBC taped off KECI/NBC on 7/27/1993 with commercials; 'The Firm' (1993) copied from rental tape, after tape ends is a 12-minute clip of Live with Regis and Kathie Lee taped off KCFW-9 Kalispell on 3/28/1994 with a few commercials. Scotch T-120
Tape 10 - 'Alex: The Life of a Child' (1986) taped off KULR/ABC on 4/27/1986 with commercials (this was prior to the affiliation switch between KULR and KOUS); 'Escape from Alcatraz' (1979) taped off KULR/ABC on 11/30/1986 with commercials; part of 'Beyond Evil' (1980) taped off KTVQ/CBS on 4/25/1986 with a few commercials (CBS Late Night) and unfortunately NO sign off included; episode of Murder, She Wrote taped off KTVQ/CBS circa May 1986; part of 'Absence of Malice' (1981) taped off KULR/ABC on 8/3/1986 with commercials (have this already from KOMO-4 Seattle). Memorex T-120
Tape 11 - Repeat of M*A*S*H taped off unknown channel minus commercials; 'This Time Forever' (1980) taped off KTVQ/CBS Late Night on 12/2-3/1986 with commercials (again, taped over before sign-off); 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947) taped off KTVQ-2 on 12/6/1986 with commercials (preempted CBS programming); 'Fort Apache, The Bronx' (1981) taped off HBO on 11/4/1985 with promos (2nd-generation copy). Memorex T-120
Tape 12 - Another broadcast of WWE Smackdown! taped off KHMT-4 in September 2004 with commercials, delayed one day. Sony T-120, unlabeled
Tape 13 - Starts with half of an unknown classic movie minus commercials; pilot for the Nightingales, taped off KULR/NBC on 6/27/1988 with commercials; 'Brewster's Millions' (1987) and several minutes of the Nine O'Clock News taped off WGN-9 on 2/21/1989 with commercials. Laser T-120
There was another tape worth mentioning. Three Disney movies copied from rentals, followed by part of an SFM Holiday Network broadcast of 'The Imitation General' taped off KPAX-8 Missoula in February 1985 with a sign-off afterwards! The tape quality is terrible, however. My VCR heads are fine, but it was taped with lots of static in the picture, as if the original VCR had dirty heads to begin with. A shame, as this is likely one-of-a-kind footage from a very small U.S. market. It's going up to YouTube, but again, the video quality is atrocious.

In addition, there's a tape from a Kalispell thrift store marked with the final ABC MNF game from 12/26/2005, Patriots/Jets. Haven't checked this one for commercials (might be taped from KTMF Missoula or KXLY Spokane). Also found several Betamax tapes at a thrift store in Missoula. Various movies and cartoons marked on labels. Boxes are dusty but the magnetic tape seems OK.

I might be back in Montana this summer for more sightseeing and hiking. I really want to get into either the Cabinet Mountains, the Lookout Pass area, or the Bitterroots. In addition, there is a massive 50-Mile Yard Sale in the Bitterroot Valley in June, and there *may* be another huge highway-length yard sale in Sanders County (Thompson Falls, Noxon, etc.) along Hwy 200. Stay tuned...
 
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Speaking of traveling, sometime I'd like to go back to Treasures Flea Market in Niles. Last time I went there in 2016, I picked up at least 15 recorded tapes and left even more behind. A smaller market like Youngstown (market #122) would be a nice change of pace. Bonus points if I were to ever find anything from Foxnet from the '90s, as Youngstown did not have a terrestrial Fox affiliate until 1998 when W62BT (now WYFX) signed on.
While in the Niles area, another attraction to check out would be the National Packard Museum in nearby Warren. Always wanted to stop by and check out the classic cars that are there.
And then, flea market-wise, there's this popular tourist attraction that's closer to the Pennsylvania border. There are videos all over YouTube of visitors documenting their shopping excursions at this place.

Home - Rogers Flea Market & Auctions

The largest flea market in the Tri-State Area. Over 1600 vendor spaces. Weekly Every Friday and Select Saturdays. Rogers, Ohio. Open Year Round. Auctions.
rogersohio.com rogersohio.com

One guy on YouTube who evidently does a lot of traveling for work and makes a point to hit up flea markets, thrift shops and estate sales in the different areas he visits is an individual who goes by the name "Bored Stoner Vids." Not only does he upload VHS contents (mostly commercials) onto his YouTube channel, he also posts pictures of his finds on his Instagram page. Coming up this Thursday, he has a YouTube premiere scheduled to commemorate the one-year anniversary of his YouTube channel. Not surprisingly given his online namesake, it's scheduled to run this Thursday (April 20) at 4:20 PM ET.
And just last weekend, he also posted a few YouTube Shorts of his VHS shopping excursions.
 
Crainbebo, do you ever digitize or trade your tape finds? I ask because it seems like some of your tapes have ended up on private torrent trackers in the last few months, especially the Pearl Harbor 50th Anniversary and Saved by the Bell episodes.
 
Like an assembly line, Chandler.

1 - Acquire the tape from outside source (estate sale/garage sale mostly, sometimes eBay lot, sometimes Goodwill Outlet when on trips)
2 - Inventory its contents while in the VCR. Write content on blank label and tape it to spine.
3 - Digitize commercials, newscasts, talk shows or other rare stuff, albeit there are a lot more limits now that even Internet Archive isn't immune to takedowns
4 - Digitize tape to DVD as a backup copy
5 - Sell in 'use as blank' lot on eBay
6 - Ship lot when sold.

Rinse and repeat. Unless it's a tape with at least half of a local newscast from Yakima or local content (parades, etc.) in which I keep it for good in the hopes that soon, I will digitize a DVD copy, or even donate the tape itself AND a DVD copy to the Yakima Valley Museum for their archives.

Beta tapes from Missoula were total duds except for part 2 of Out on a Limb, taped off KTNV Las Vegas on 1/19/1987 with commercials and News 13 open. Rental copies galore, and a few tapes with kids' cartoons that also suffered from the 'rental copy' curse. Except for one episode of The Real Ghostbusters that had all but 5 seconds of a cereal ad paused out. Ugh. They were $2.00 a tape too!!
The tape marked with the 12/26/05 MNF game had the game on the tape - KSTP Minneapolis recording w/ commercials. The Patriots/Jets game was the last one ABC aired until 2020.
One more tape from Veterans Warehouse/Wenatchee had Headline News from 9/28/2007 - Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace, with commercials. Glenn was interviewing Michael Buble that night. Then there's a January 2001 General Hospital AND Northwest Afternoon taped off KOMO-4 with commercials - complete with Cindi Rinehart's soap segment...my childhood roaring back to me, as my mom loved watching that show, it was helpful when she had a dr's appointment and missed one of her soaps, as Cindi recapped them all and often previewed the next day's show too. The end of that tape has the 1/19/2001 Young and the Restless taped off KIRO with commercials.

I am starting to bypass 'converting to DVD' when it's a duplicate of a miniseries or movie that I already have. It's just the same film, with 6 different commercial breaks. I have those digitized to a 1TB hard drive in case anything happens to account(s).
 
Today I got a Sony Superbeta VCR and several Betamax tapes from an estate sale. Hooked it up to my DVD recorder, but there's a problem--it'll play audio but no video! Any idea what I might be doing wrong?
 


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