User talk:SimasTheVHSCollector 2006

About the 1989 Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers volume, “Double Trouble”
If you have that tape, what copy of that tape do you have? The original 1989 VHS or the 1991 re-release? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:1598:888D:624D:AD9E 04:50, 19 March 2022 (UTC)

If I recall correctly, I have the original 1989 VHS. - Simas


 * Is your copy a Canadian or US print? Because if it’s a US copy, then what is the print date and/or day-year code (if there is one)? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:5D2:A0B8:1D2A:7906 18:47, 19 March 2022 (UTC)

My copy's the US copy, and the day-year code's 22789. (227th day of 1989, or August 15, 1989) - Simas


 * I believe it was released 09-28-1989. Your copy is an early pressing. By the way, does your copy have the phone dial-tones [DTMF signaling] at the beginning and end? Is there something on the left or right side of the tape like a white barcode sticker? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:5D2:A0B8:1D2A:7906 22:30, 19 March 2022 (UTC)

There is no barcode sticker on the tape itself, and it indeed does have the DTMF tones at the beginning and end. - Simas


 * Does the day-year code on your copy say something like "5 227 89 1609" or a different set of digits with "227 89" between them? From my knowledge, some sources say that the 4-digit code next to the date code on certain tapes is the time that the tape was printed at. What does the full code say on your copy? 69.85.235.46 19:03, 22 March 2022 (UTC)

About the Touchstone Pictures film, “Beaches”
If you still have the circa 1990s VHS of that film, what type of label on the front does your copy of that version have? Horizontal ink-label or vertical sticker-label? What is the print date on the circa 1990s VHS that you have? Not the original 1989 VHS, I mean the circa-1990s re-issue. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:91FF:1360:1587:A95F 02:26, 20 March 2022 (UTC)

I still have that tape, and it has the vertical sticker label, and it's printed on December 9, 1993.

- Simas


 * Is the print date on a barcode sticker or an ink-print? Is “BVHV” engraved on the left or right side of the tape? Does this tape still have the 1984 red orange FBI warnings or is it an updated master with the green FBI warnings? What promo does your copy of that version have, if any? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:3597:4609:AC8A:D5C6 18:43, 20 March 2022 (UTC)

Printdate is ink-printed, and "BVHV" is engraved on the left side. The tape uses the 1984 Red FBI Warnings, and has a promo for other Touchstone Home Video titles, proceeded by the "Now you can own your favorite hit movies..." Touchstone Home Video logo.

- Simas


 * Is “BVHV” engraved in the regular gold orange color or in white? 2600:387:15:61B:0:0:0:1 23:40, 20 March 2022 (UTC)

Orange.

When you got the tape, did it have a "Proof of Purchase" label below the back cover? Also does your copy have the print date labeled as “120993-C” or some other type of letter next to the date? I have the 1990 Burbank Video VHS release (EP/SLP print) of "Abbott & Costello, Vol. 1" (public domain title), and on my copy of that one, the tape itself used the 1992/1993 later horizontal white sticker-label on the front (with Video Treasures logo on the top of the label), and the print date on the bottom appeared to be labeled “120893-I”. 69.85.235.231 17:18, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

Public Domain VHS Tapes with Print Dates
Are there any public domain VHS tapes you have with print dates? Particularly tapes released by Anchor Bay Entertainment’s predecessors and Brentwood Home Video? 2600:387:C:7114:0:0:0:B 02:57, 21 March 2022 (UTC)

No, I don't.

VHS Tapes Issued by Different Video Distributors
Three questions:

1. Do you have any VHS tapes that are CHC (Columbia House Company)-issued copies? And I’m talking about the copies with either an orange sealing sticker, an engraving, or both. The engraving should say either "131" (if the tape is duplicated by West Coast Video Duplicating/MediaCopy) or "275T" (if the tape is duplicated by Technicolor Videocassette) on either the left, or right side of the tape, or "CHC" (if the tape is duplicated by Rank Video Services America/Deluxe Video Services) on the top of the tape guard, and the orange sealing sticker attached between the tape and the casing should also say "CHC".

I only have a few Paramount tapes that have "CHC" on them.

2. Do you have any VHS tapes that are Avon-issued copies? Post-1989 Avon VHS tapes had the stock prefix lettered "FSC" and the front labels on those tapes were usually horizontal and printed out of either white ink or a white sticker with black or purple letters that just shows the title, the running time and FBI warning information on the label. Technicolor Videocassette duplicated most post-1989 Avon tapes, while most 1984-1990 tapes were duplicated by GTK Duplicating Co. Certain tapes duplicated by Technicolor Videocassette for Avon were duplicated in LP and only had a linear (lo-fi) audio track, although SP and EP/SLP pressings probably had a hi-fi audio track added.

I don't think so.

3. Do you have any VHS tapes that are Simon Marketing-issued copies? Simon Marketing products had the UPC number that started with "097428" and their tapes were usually duplicated in EP/SLP. The tapes opened with the black-background tracking control disclaimer screen that says "FOR MAXIMUM PICTURE QUALITY (in blue letters) IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ADJUST THE TRACKING CONTROL ON YOUR VCR (in white letters)" and either the 1986-1991 Vestron Video black-background license warning screen, or the J2 Communications FBI warning screen which is similar to Warner Home Video's version, except its background is blue instead of black. Tapes issued by Simon Marketing were duplicated by Technicolor Videocassette.

Nope.

2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:3C3D:D1AE:9601:541F 01:39, 22 March 2022 (UTC)

Alright, so you only have a few VHS tapes that are CHC-issued. Do any of them that you have have “131” engraved on the tape or “275T”, or do all the CHC tapes that you have just say “CHC”?

Aa far as I know, I don't really have any tapes with "131" or "275T" on it. As far as I know, my 1996 VHS of Rugrats: Tommy Troubles and my 1993 VHS of Sleepless in Seattle have "CHC", Sleepless in Seattle also has "cinram" on it.

2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:8D90:E039:32C:409C 00:42, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

Well to me, that’s weird about your Sleepless in Seattle tape, since I never knew there existed CHC tapes duplicated/printed by Cinram. What is the print date on that one by the way? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:8D90:E039:32C:409C 01:04, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

July 5, 1995.

Well crap, that tape must have been printed 1 day after Eva Gabor passed away. R.I.P. to her. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:8D90:E039:32C:409C 01:34, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

What is the year-week code, or print date on your “Rugrats: Tommy Troubles” tape? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:6DD7:9E66:5910:47BD 11:35, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

19th week of 1999. (919)

Does the back cover case still say "Duplicated in EP/SLP", but the tape itself is an SP print? 69.85.235.46 14:27, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

The tape itself is in EP/SLP mode too.

I have a Sharp VC-H870C 4-head hi-fi stereo VHS VCR. It was manufactured in June 1991. What VCR brand model(s) do you have and what dates were they manufactured? 69.85.235.231 19:01, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

I have a Sony SLV-N71 4 head VCR, and I don't know exactly when it was manufactured

The operating instruction manual, which is on Sony's website, has a copyright date of 2001. My current VCR is either 9 or 10 years older than yours. 69.85.235.45 14:26, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

About the 1987 Warner Home Video preview tape you got almost two days ago
Does that tape actually have the low-pitched beep-tone of death over the black screen at the end, or does the end just go straight to fullscreen static? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:57C:481A:745A:3F1E 11:19, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

To me, after thinking of it, I feel it's a May/June '87 preview tape. Anyway, it does not have the low pitched BSOD at the end, and it goes straight to static after a few secs.

-Simas

Weirdly, some 1988 tapes were like that. 69.85.235.45 13:21, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

Is WHV engraved on the left side of the tape, or no? 69.85.235.45 14:56, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

No

Warner Home Video and MGM/UA Home Video VHS tapes [US-marketed copies] with the DTMF Phone Dial-Tones
Do you have any Warner Home Video and MGM/UA Home Video US VHS tapes that have DTMF tones? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:6C50:8AB8:DABE:7961 21:21, 25 March 2022 (UTC)

I don't really recall any, but I'll take a look eventually.

Even I don’t have any Warner Home Video tapes that have DTMF tones as of yet. You’re probably gonna be shocked when I say this, but I only have 2 tapes solely distributed by them (“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 2000 VHS and “Superman: 7 New Exciting Episodes” 1996 VHS). They have ink print dates with ink barcodes next to them (both tapes appeared to be duplicated at Technicolor) and the “WHV” engraving on the side of the tape (on the right side on my “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” tape, and left side on my “Superman: 7 New Exciting Episodes” tape), but no DTMF tones at the beginning, nor the end. Also my copy of the 1996 release of “Superman: 7 New Exciting Episodes” still utilized the original 1985 VHS print master, which uses the 1981-1986 Warner Home Video “Big W” logo on-screen at the opening section of the tape. Another thing, I also only have 2 MGM VHS tapes, both appeared to be duplicated by West Coast Video/MediaCopy. “Our Gang: The Best of Spanky” 1994 VHS (co-distributed by Warner Home Video) and “The Care Bears Movie” (1985) 2000 VHS. Also both tapes I have distributed by them are later-year pressings. My copy of the 1994 release of “Our Gang: The Best of Spanky” was printed in 1995, while my copy of the 2000 release of “The Care Bears Movie” was printed in 2002. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:1184:9ECA:C3B8:778A 03:26, 27 March 2022 (UTC)

“Rugrats: Tommy Troubles” 1996 VHS (Columbia House Company copy)
Can you do the opening to that tape and put it to YouTube? (if you take requests) I would like to see what the video quality on that tape looks like, since it’s in EP/SLP. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:1184:9ECA:C3B8:778A 01:18, 27 March 2022 (UTC)

I'll do it if I get the chance to.

The Day-Year code on your “Double Trouble” tape
Does the day-year code on your copy say something like "5 227 89 1609" or a different set of digits with "227 89" between them? From my knowledge, some sources say that the 4-digit code next to the date code on certain tapes is possibly the time that the tape was printed at. What does the full code say on your copy of that tape? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:C855:9402:B285:AE1F 02:48, 29 March 2022 (UTC)

My copy just says "T-45-1201-22789-3M".

Okay. Perhaps the “1201” part of the code information on your copy could mean your copy was printed at 12:01 PM. Besides, was your copy actually from a 3M/Scotch tape stock? Usually tapes with this type of code should have the Scotch logo. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:C855:9402:B285:AE1F 03:16, 29 March 2022 (UTC)

Actually, I take it back. Technicolor Videocassette, which your copy in particular was probably duplicated at, probably chose to print out random numbers. 69.85.235.49 17:11, 23 September 2022 (UTC)

The Rescuers (Walt Disney “Black Diamond” Classics)
Do you have the 1992 “Black Diamond” Classics VHS release of “The Rescuers” (1977)? I’m getting the US print of that tape in a few days, from eBay (please note that I live in the US), and it’s still factory sealed. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:78CE:AEF5:B588:451F 01:25, 31 March 2022 (UTC)

Yes i do

Is your copy a Canadian or US print? If it's a US copy, what is the print date? Does your copy have the horizontal ink-label, the horizontal sticker-label, or the vertical sticker-label? Does the label have Sorcerer Mickey next to the WDHV logo, or no Sorcerer Mickey on there? 69.85.235.229 12:31, 31 March 2022 (UTC)

canadian

Does it have the vertical sticker-label, horizontal sticker-label, or horizontal ink-label? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:4130:D5E3:41D6:C19C 23:53, 31 March 2022 (UTC)

horizontal ink-label

Do you also have the “Black Diamond” Classics release of “The Rescuers Down Under”? 2600:387:F:4112:0:0:0:4 01:34, 1 April 2022 (UTC)

i indeed do. i have two copies, one of them being the 1991 american copy, printed on April 30, 1991 and April 29, 1991 and for some reason it says "SELL-THROUGH-(08/91)" and has the shadow red warning screens, and i have the 1992 canadian vhs.

I am getting the US print of the 1992 VHS re-issue as soon as I can, from eBay, as well. By the way, on your US copy of the 1991 release, does the 04/30 print date read something like “043091-A” or a different letter next to that print date? And does the 04/29 print date read something like “T-77” on top of that code and “042991 WD 1658” on the bottom or a different set of digits placed between that date? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:396B:8591:490C:D2F2 11:10, 1 April 2022 (UTC)

"043091-1", it has "T-79 M8" ontop of the other printdate "042991 C"

Does your US copy of the 1991 release have the vertical sticker-label, horizontal sticker-label, or horizontal ink-label? 69.85.235.45 15:04, 1 April 2022 (UTC)

horizontal ink-label

I got both tapes from the mail today, and they were still factory sealed when I got them, but they’re now opened. My copy of “The Rescuers” was printed on May 17, 1992 (051792-B), and has the DTMF phone dial tones at the beginning (haven’t checked the closing yet though), and you’re probably gonna be caught off guard when I say this, but my copy of “The Rescuers Down Under” is actually still the original 1991 release, and also has two print dates, July 13, 1991 (071391 C) and July 16, 1991 (071691-K), and is also labeled T-79 M8, and the print master on my copy of that one is version B which has the regular variant of the red-orange FBI screens instead of the shadowed variant, and for some reason, there are no DTMF phone dial tones at the beginning of that one. Also before you ask, my copies of both tapes use horizontal ink-labels. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:F11F:2FC:C886:5EA 00:06, 6 April 2022 (UTC)

UPDATE: I just checked the closing to my copy of the “The Rescuers” 1992 tape, after watching a couple of scenes from the film itself, and it has the DTMF phone dial-tones at the end. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:48F6:DEEF:CE90:820C 01:16, 8 April 2022 (UTC)

ANOTHER UPDATE: I just watched a few scenes from “The Rescuers Down Under” via my copy of the 1991 VHS release, then I checked the closing to that tape, and it does not have the DTMF phone dial-tone at the end. So unfortunately no DTMF phone dial tones on my copy at all. :( After a few seconds of the black screen at the end, it just goes straight to full static. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:CC5A:2D79:137A:CEBD 00:07, 9 April 2022 (UTC)

There also exists copies of "The Rescuers Down Under" with the title on the print date information reading "SUMMER LEAD '91". Many copies with that title variation were version C of the 1991 release with the cut-in variation of the red-orange FBI warning screens. Not to mention, over 10 years ago, it was wildly rumored that there was a fourth version of the release, with the 1991-97 green-white FBI warning screens, Robin Hood preview and the debut of the lilac blue Feature Presentation bumper, however that turned out to be false information, because 1. Disney never did a video preview for "Robin Hood", and 2. The lilac blue bumpers actually debuted on the 1992 video release of "101 Dalmatians". So instead, only three versions of the original 1991 release were known to exist, and all of them had the gray-gold Feature Presentation bumper. 69.85.235.224 16:53, 28 April 2022 (UTC)

About your new tape
How bad was the damage on your copy of the 1990 Alpha Video VHS of “Bugs Bunny” when you checked it? Was it badly damaged throughout the entire tape, or is it just some portions that got damaged? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:4C26:4F2E:4B77:464A 22:13, 1 April 2022 (UTC)

the filmstrip doesn't look too bad, but the picture itself is completely damaged.

Is the picture damaged throughout the entire tape? 69.85.235.231 15:23, 5 April 2022 (UTC)

it is in some way

Black Diamond Classics release of “The Great Mouse Detective”
Do you have the 1992 Black Diamond Classics VHS release of “The Great Mouse Detective” (1986)? If so, is your copy of that tape a US or Canadian print? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:5D47:603F:81DB:3AE7 00:46, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

i have the canadian print.

Does your copy have the vertical sticker-label, horizontal sticker-label, or horizontal ink-label? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:5D47:603F:81DB:3AE7 03:15, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

horizontal ink-label.

Did it have a regular Proof of Purchase tab label above the back of the clamshell cover when you got it, or a prototype Proof of Purchase tab label (also on “Beauty and the Beast”), or did it not have any? 69.85.235.227 19:26, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

Mini-Classics releases of all four Winnie The Pooh featurettes
Do you have those tapes? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:7CD1:2187:BACF:34BA 00:59, 28 April 2022 (UTC)

I only have blustery day, and tigger too.

Print dates? (unless they’re Canadian) 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:7CD1:2187:BACF:34BA 01:23, 28 April 2022 (UTC)

None, both are canadian.

Do your copies use the normal horizontal ink-label, normal vertical sticker-label or oversized Betamax-style horizontal sticker-label? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:B841:DBAE:A06C:B11A 11:03, 28 April 2022 (UTC)

horizontal sticker label.

I’m deducing it‘s the oversized Betamax-style label your copies have. Some copies printed between 1991-1993 also used this label variant. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:8991:8B27:AE95:8CD1 11:34, 29 April 2022 (UTC)

Both “Ben and Me” and “Bongo” were released in the Mini-Classics in spring 1989, while the Winnie the Pooh featurettes and the Mickey’s Christmas Carol short were released fall 1989 in the series. A video booklet from the 1989 “Bambi” VHS release even proves so.

On Version #1 of the WTP featurettes [a.k.a. copies prior to early fall 1989], the Mini-Classics logo freezes for 10 seconds and then cuts out. Version #2 has the logo freezing for about 1 or 2 seconds and then fading out.

The prints of "Mickey's Christmas Carol" with the vertical sticker-label, Proof of Purchase tab label and the Disney Christmas Videos promo at the end, were simply re-issues Disney put out in 1990 to coincide with the Mini-Classics release of "The Small One".

There are also prints of the WTP featurettes with the generic Helvetica-font Proof of Purchase tab label (only on three of the titles, "Blustery Day" has an even more weirder font for the tab label), but those prints still use the 1989 label and master. They were released sometime in early 1991.

2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:A859:8CA8:4455:2321 02:52, 20 May 2022 (UTC)

We need some help
I’ve seen some copies of “Under the Sea” with the later ink-label variation, but the earliest print date I could find for this label variation is December 1992. I have also seen a copy of “Disneyland Fun” with not only the later ink-label variation, but an insert card for “Be Our Guest”. These kind of ink-label variations of these pre-1990 DSAS titles do not have Sorcerer Mickey on the WDHV logo on the labels, and the “Disney’s” header is removed from the label. I have also seen some copies of the four WTP featurettes with an ink-label, and those variations had no Mini-Classics logo on the label. However I don’t know what year these kind of ink-label variations are from. Some people say these kind of variations are from 1991, others say 1992. I don’t know what year Disney introduced the ink-labels on their pre-1990 SAS and Mini-Classics titles. Do you happen to know? I have proof here. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:5542:3E8F:B05D:8B48 23:30, 1 May 2022 (UTC)

Not really sure, but my copy of SAS UTS uses the same ink-label variation as the one in the link.

Lemme guess; your copy was printed in either 1992 or 1993. (Well unless your copy is Canadian) 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:5542:3E8F:B05D:8B48 00:25, 2 May 2022 (UTC)

My copy's canadian; I just checked the opening, it's from 1994. Opening previews were promos for Disney's Favorite Stories, and the Winnie the Pooh Learning series.

Weird printing for your copy... I'd die laughing if there existed a Mini-Classics VHS tape with a Favorite Stories opening. XD 69.85.235.224 14:44, 5 May 2022 (UTC)

The label is probably from November 1992. 69.85.235.49 17:08, 23 September 2022 (UTC)

Pre-1989 Disney Sing-Along Songs VHS tapes with any label type
Do you have any pre-1989 Disney Sing-Along Songs program VHS tapes with horizontal ink-label, vertical sticker-label and horizontal sticker-label? 69.85.235.224 14:34, 5 May 2022 (UTC)

i have the 1990 very merry christmas songs vhs with the vertical sticker label

If your copy is American US, what date was your copy printed on? Does it still use the original 1988 print master, or is it the newer one with the Christmas Videos promo? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:6DD2:6258:4372:5761 01:16, 8 May 2022 (UTC)

it's canadian, and has the newer master

Is there a BVHV engraving and dark ink numbers on your copy? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:6DD2:6258:4372:5761 03:54, 8 May 2022 (UTC)

yes

Is the “BVHV” engraved on the left side, or the right?

If it truly has dark ink numbers, what do they read? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:A859:8CA8:4455:2321 02:57, 20 May 2022 (UTC)

The Great Mouse Detective (1986) / Other Home Video Releases
I only own one VHS release of "The Great Mouse Detective", and that is the 1992 VHS release, just like you have. However, my copy is the 1993 repackaging (although it still uses the original 07-17-1992 print master). It had the regular Proof of Purchase tab label above the back cover on the clamshell when I got it, but I peeled it off, and my copy was printed on January 23, 1994 (012394-E).

I’ve heard of the 1999 and 2002 VHS releases of this film. Do you have those releases as well? If so, what dates were your copies of those releases printed? (Unless they’re Canadian) 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:3810:E5FC:94A9:B1A4 21:13, 8 May 2022 (UTC)

i only have the 1992 release, and its canadian.

Is the title on the label on your copy off-centered? Mine has the title centered on the tape label. 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:31EB:DE24:B327:192A 19:52, 11 June 2022 (UTC)

The Rescuers Down Under
On your Canadian VHS copy of “The Rescuers Down Under,” what are the opening contents? It has the green warning screens, and then which Walt Disney Classics logo appears after?

Also, does the tape itself have the vertical sticker label, or is it the horizontal ink-label? 2601:4C4:4000:A8C0:FC89:2A66:9ECA:BEE0 00:39, 11 June 2022 (UTC)