Have you encountered VHS or Cassette piracy in the 80s? (piefed.social)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by Shadow79@piefed.social to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

52 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Like that infamous "ET" torrent in 1982 where it involved a "pirate" sneaking a huge JVC camcorder (with a VHS reel) recording the entire movie in theaters, given this was before DVD's existed (don't even ask about pirate bay, those weren't available yet). The same applies to "torrented" music, one would have a spare tape cassette recording the song played via the radio, that's how they torrented content back then if they can't afford an official copy.

Only millennials or Gen X who were kids back then would've encountered or witnessed VHS or Cassette "torrents" from either friends or family and often or not, piracy in the pre internet days was rife even before torrent sites were a thing. There are VHS "torrents" of TV shows or series (placing a camcorder which faces the TV screen with a spare reel recording the entire show (ads included), then used to fast forward upon replay.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] reallyzen@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

My (58yo) VHS cinéphile collection was freaking extensive. Back then, as today, we didn't watch TV but I bought, and scrutinised to no end, the program & set the VCR to record. I always had blanks, 3h for long movies and 4h for 2 "normal" ones. When we moved countries, at a time when DVDs where a thing, a friend of mine asked to keep the tapes because it was so good. Every Hitchcock, every Bogart, every Kubrick, every... You name it. Series even.

Yeah quality was shit, but "tomb of the fireflies" and "princess bride" totally made to the deepest of my heart, until today and forever. At work I had "Singing in the rain" as a testing tape - each time I used it, you had everyone passing in front of the beamer stop, and watch.

Emotion trumps quality.

[-] Doubleohdonut@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 week ago

Singing in the rain is a banger that I rewatch every now and then. Everyone should watch it, even if you're not "into" musicals - there's SO much more going on! A fun satire of hollywood using every trick in the book to get there. chef's kiss

this post was submitted on 23 May 2026

48 points (84.3% liked)

Piracy: ꜱᴀɪʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴇᴀꜱ

69291 readers

273 users here now

⚓ Dedicated to the discussion of digital piracy, including ethical problems and legal advancements.

Rules • Full Version

1. Posts must be related to the discussion of digital piracy

2. Don't request invites, trade, sell, or self-promote

3. Don't request or link to specific pirated titles, including DMs

4. Don't submit low-quality posts, be entitled, or harass others

Loot, Pillage, & Plunder

We heartily recommend visiting the free port of freemediaheckyeah (aka FMHY) while you sail the high seas, for all the freshest links the ocean has to offer.