When was the LaserDisc format first commercially introduced?
The LaserDisc format was commercially introduced as MCA DiscoVision on the 11th of December 1978. This launch occurred in a test market in Atlanta, Georgia.
Questions about LaserDisc
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who developed the original transparent disc-based system for LaserDisc?
David Paul Gregg and James Russell developed a transparent disc-based system during the period starting in 1963. They secured patents for this technology in 1970 before MCA acquired the rights to it in 1968.
What is the horizontal resolution difference between LaserDisc and VHS?
LaserDisc featured a far sharper picture with a horizontal resolution of 425 television lines for NTSC and 440 TVL for PAL discs. In contrast, VHS featured only 240 TVL with NTSC.
Which company began marketing LaserDisc players under new names after acquiring a majority stake in 1980?
Pioneer acquired a majority stake in the format in 1980 and began marketing it under new names. Pioneer's LaserDisc players debuted in Japan in October 1981.
How many EditDroid systems were ever built by Lucasfilm?
Only 24 EditDroid systems were ever built by Lucasfilm. These computer-controlled LaserDisc players were used for non-linear editing systems for film and television in the mid-1980s.