gravis again @cathoderaydude7/16/2024, 3:46 AM

:D

Hello Gravis! I thought of a weird thing, and its PROBABLY useless, but I was wondering if it was possible at all.

I like watching stuff on my old CRT, VHS and DVD and such. I also have used a casette Bluetooth/aux adapter, which is kinda like this actual cassette tape-looking device, that somehow converts the audio into an electromagnet which tricks the player into thinking that there's a tape.

Is it possible to do something similar with a VHS tape? Could there be like a "flash cart" VHS, maybe with a screen to select files from an SD card on it before inserting into the VCR? Would this kind of thing even be possinle?

I hope this question isnt too weird hahaa. Its SUPER impractical too, since those little video players exist, and even output via RCA, but I thought it would be a fun idea for an ask!

Great question!

ABSOLUTELY NOT. STRONG LETTER TO FOLLOW

The short answer is that VCRs are phenomenally complex compared to tape decks, so it's sort of like trying to start a nuclear reactor with a lawnmower pullrope - but I figure you might want some details!

muln @dedusmulntxt7/16/2024, 9:50 AM

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Plum @plumpan7/16/2024, 3:55 AM

(You want a downscaler, and finding the right one can kinda suck depending on how picky you are, but much easier if you're not worried about latency for gaming)

Those heads spin crazy fast too... why do I have 4500rpm in my mind? I think that's just like compact video8 transports that don't wrap around the entire head or something??? 60 times a second should be 3600.

Pendell @pendell7/16/2024, 3:58 AM

I want there to be two very basic 3D animated gifs, like something out of a workplace safety video from the 90s, just demonstrating the difference in mechanisms. Showing how simple the audio cassette is, just tape against magnet, two wheels spinning, can't get any more dumb than that. And then this insanely complex system of levers and pullies and sensors and tracks and tilted drums spinning up and the gif is just so hilariously complex in contrast it conveys the point on its own.

Loonie Lummox @SailorLoonie7/16/2024, 4:17 AM

Thank you for the incredibly quick response! I figured that was the case, tbh, but its great to hear it from someone who knows quite a bit more. I hope the question entertained as much as your answer was fun to read lol

Emi @pardalis7/16/2024, 4:25 AM

I immediately wondered if you could, much like with an audio tape, make an infinite loop in the VHS so you have more room for The Device
the one video I found where someone tries this is fascinating (demo @ 5:47)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdu7uvQbw3Q

Loonie Lummox @SailorLoonie7/16/2024, 4:37 AM

Woah thats pretty wild! I wonder if they ever enclosed it in a completely closed VHS shell, or just left it open like that once the proof of concept was completed.