I hear you loud and clear.

I did by a Beta VCR - which has superior technology, and was used well beyond the consumer cutoff by professionals - than VHS.

I have a bad habit that tends to help me - I am very diligent in researching - my electrical/electronics/IT engineering background mandates this......By the time I have decided to buy a piece, I have usually used all the resources I have available (including industry contacts and actual designers) to learn. It has saved me in some cases!