I've had a video tape machine in my house for three years now. During that time I've been through many video experiences: turning the living room into a mini tv studio; lugging the battery-operated Sony "portapak" through Europe (even had it blessed by the Pope); making tapes of rock performers — Lou Reed, John Cale, The Dolls, The Beach Boys, and others; experimenting with teen porno; writing 13,000 words on video for The Video Primer, my video handbook to be published this spring by Links Books; and, recently, selling all my video equipment to make the switch from Sony to Panasonic.

When I first got my gear I thought that video meant I could make my own* television. Which is true, if slightly exaggerated from a technical point of view. Then I thought it would be good as an electric notebook, carried around to record the various elements of my life style as they happened. Again, true, but the portable equipment weighs in at a hefty thirty odd pounds — not something to slip in your pocket like an Instamatic. Finally I discovered what video is really good for: nothing more, nor less, than recording programs off of tv so they can be watched again.