#TBT: We Used To Use THIS To Record Videos

The speed at which technology advances is pretty fast, and there are a lot of things we take for granted today that were much different not all that many years ago. Like this thing we had to use if we wanted to record a homemade video.

Yes, kids, that's a vintage, late 80's-era camcorder. Which was short, I assume, for 'video camera-recorder.' My dad gave it to me this last weekend, after keeping it back at home, safe from all the advancing technology of the past 30 years.

Now, keep in mind, this camcorder was fairly advanced for its time. It featured a huge zoom lens, didn't require as much light as earlier models, and allowed you to record all your memories on one convenient VHS tape. And, thanks to the auto-focus technology, you might actually be able to somewhat clearly see whatever it was we were shooting. Plus, thanks to the handy RCA audio and video input and outputs, it would also allow you to make a grainy, poor resolution copy of your favorite tape, too!

Much like a somewhat older Adam F. Goldberg (creator of the 80's-themed TV show, The Goldbergs), I, too, would wander around my central Wisconsin neighborhood back in the 80's, recording various things I found interesting.

One summer, my brother and I even produced a faux late night talk show, which we taped right there in our garage. We built a homemade set with a desk and a few guest chairs -- lawn chairs, if I remember -- as we did our best to recreate what David Letterman was doing for real on NBC's 'Late Night'. Mom and dad still have the tapes, although, whether anyone has a working VHS VCR these days on which to play them is another question.

Today, of course, you can take much better video right there on your phone, edit the footage, add graphics and effects and upload it to your own YouTube channel, where anybody can view your work. It might even go viral, and be seen by thousands. Back when I was using this camcorder, though, our video exploits were confined to our tapes, and pretty much nobody, outside of mom and dad, was able to view them. Which, come to think of it, probably isn't all that bad a thing, after all. :)