if you get a DVD/VCR combo machine {one that plays & records}
you could copy your tapes to DVD if you wanted to and wouldn't have to worry about tapes jamming, wearing out...or someday not being able to get a VCR at all..
They don't cost much more and I think if you stay with a top brand the VCR part should last just fine.

[Does it matter?? Do I tell them that one tv is stereo and the other is not?]

no the box the give you will be the same I'm pretty sure - it just takes more connections for the speakers {L to L & R to R} when there is stereo

See, that's exactly what I don't want.

More connections. L to R to R....all I want is antennae in and out to tv.

Simple as Pie.

Oh, get this. I was talking to my girlfriend on the phone telling her about my VCR woes and I said "oh god, if I could only get my hands on a Panasonic Omnivision....and I hear dead silence and she says "wait a minute, I have one of those, yeah, I'm looking right at it. It says Panasonic Omnivision. I never used it, OH I USED IT ONCE TO TAPE PAUL ANKA, my husband did it for me, I don't tape, would you like it??

WOULD I LIKE IT??? She's used it exactly one time. It's not connected to anything and it's sitting on top of her Optima Cable Box.

She has a brand new Flat screen tv, and she only watches, she never tapes anything.

I said "hey, if you can't use it and want to give it to some humble person, I'M THE HUMBLE PERSON".

She asking her husband if she can send it to me. She said 'hey it's mine, but I'll give him the courtesy".

I said: "by all means, be courteous".

I burst out laughing.

And I have a bid on Ebay for the same VCR by a power seller with excellent feedback and we've been corresponding. My max bid is $15.00. It's now up to $13.00

So we'll see.

I'm telling you, by next week, I'll have a room full of Panasonics.

One can only hope.

I'll join the DVR revolution in due time, don't worry!!!

melody