It also made it possible for a VCR owner to begin time shifting the recording of films and other television programs "off the air".
In the mid-80's there was always a steady supply of new VCR owners to keep rentals increasing.
For the many VCR owners who feel a degree in computer science is required to tape the next episode of "St. Elsewhere" while they are elsewhere, relief is on the way.
It might be noted that that is an expanding group - the VCR owners, that is, not the insomniacs.
Most VCR owners cannot even set the clock, and they seldom - if ever - use the timer to record a show.
The convention had no easy answer for this problem, but VCR owners are encouraged to clean the player heads.
He said the typical VCR owner buys only seven tapes a year.
Analysts say that would be a reflection of a reduction in new VCR owners, who have historically been enthusiastic renters.
(That's more than 70 percent of all VCR owners can do for themselves.)
I read somewhere that 70% of VCR owners say they've never used the timer function.