What is Laserdisc?

The 12in video disc is not a new idea - in fact it was first touted around the same time as the first domestic VCRs. How could the consumers refuse an attractive read-only disc-based video format which offered high quality output, fast access times and would never wear out? They refused it remarkably easily, and instead plumped en masse for the inferior video tape formats released later, with the all-important recording facility. Odd when you consider that the same public couldn't wait to abandon their poor quality, but recordable audio tape, in favour of an attractive read-only disc based audio format which offered high-quality output, fast access times and would never wear out. The greatest technical innovation for the video disc was the addition of digital stereo sound using exactly the same system as CDs. At this point, the format was re-released - this time with a name that finally stuck. Hail the Laserdisc!

Today's Laserdisc format is a 12in double-sided disc, LP in size, but with a CD's shiny surface, analogue video quality far better than that of VHS, S-VHS, Hi-8 or Betamax video tape, and CD-quality digital stereo sound.