403 - Be Kind, Rewind: VHS Memories in a Streaming World

This special In Touch With iOS episode 403 Host Dave Ginsburg is joined by co-host Jeff Gamet and guest Katie Fawkes.We explore the nostalgia of VHS, the rituals of movie night, and how streaming has transformed how we watch films. From Blockbuster memories and Betamax wars to the resurgence of physical media and the promise of immersive experiences with Apple Vision Pro, the conversation bridges past, present, and future movie-watching culture.

The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com

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Summary

In episode 403 of In Touch With iOS, Dave Ginsburg welcomes back Katie Fawkes alongside Jeff Gamet for a deep, nostalgic dive into the evolution of home movie watching. The discussion begins with personal stories of VHS rentals, recording TV shows, and the rituals that defined movie nights in the 80s and 90s, including Blockbuster runs, rewinding tapes, and the infamous VHS vs. Betamax wars.

Katie shares how The VHS Club grew out of long-distance movie nights with her childhood best friend, eventually becoming a podcast celebrating classic films and shared viewing experiences. The panel reflects on how physical media created intention and community—contrasting sharply with today’s overwhelming abundance of streaming options and “spoiled for choice” fatigue.

The conversation shifts to the modern era, examining how streaming services—especially Apple TV+ and Netflix—reshaped content consumption, binge-watching habits, and original programming. David and Jeff explore the fragility of digital ownership, the renewed interest in DVDs, Blu-ray, and VHS among younger generations, and the growing collector culture surrounding physical media.

Looking forward, the panel discusses immersive movie experiences through Apple Vision Pro, questioning whether shared virtual environments could bring back the communal magic of theaters. The episode wraps with rapid-fire movie picks, favorite must-own physical titles, and a lively debate over which single streaming service they’d choose if forced to pick just one.

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Our Host

Dave Ginsburg is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users and shares his wealth of knowledge of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and related technologies. Visit the YouTube channel    / intouchwithios   follow him on Mastodon @daveg65, , BlueSky @daveg65 and the show @intouchwithios



Our Guest

Katie Fawkes is the Director of Marketing at Ecamm, a leading live streaming and video production software for Mac users. With a background in content strategy, podcasting, and community building, Katie is passionate about helping creators confidently show up on camera and grow their brands through video. She's the co-host of The Flow and The VHS Club video podcasts, hosts multiple live video series, and speaks regularly at industry events on topics like one-take video, camera confidence, and creator marketing.

Co-Host

Jeff Gamet is a podcaster, technology blogger, artist, and author. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s managing editor, and Smile’s TextExpander Evangelist. You can find him on Mastadon @jgamet Pixelfed @jgamet@pixelfed.social and Bluesky @jgamet.bsky.social‬ Podcasts The Context Machine Podcast Retro Rewatch Retro Rewatch His YouTube channel    / jgamet