A review of research conducted in Egypt to assess the impact of videocassette recorders (VCRs) on society and on other communication media indicates that the use of VCRs--a new phenomenon in mass communication in that country--has been accelerating over the past five years as more people have been gradually exposed to the advantages of unlimited viewing choice. Topics addressed by this paper include reasons for the fast-growing market for video in Egypt, which coincided with deep social and economic changes that took place in the structure of Egyptian society during the same period; sources of videocassettes; preferred types of videocassettes; video and state censorship; the impact of video on society and other media; and the future of VCRs in Egypt. The major sector to be affected--both negatively and positively--by VCR use is identified as the cinema, as a significant decrease in cinema attendance has been accompanied by an increase in the production of videos by cinema studios. Future directions suggested by the research include: (1) VCRs will continue to proliferate; (2) videocassettes will be used more extensively for educational purposes; (3) the range of viewers will include more intellectuals; and (4) the impact of the VCR on other communication media will continue unless these media find ways to challenge the uses of videos. (29 footnotes) (CGD)