Videodisk: meaning, definitions and examples
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videodisk
[ ˈvɪdioʊdɪsk ]
media storage
A videodisk is a type of disc that stores video and audio content, intended for playback on specialized players. It was primarily used before the rise of digital formats such as DVDs and digital downloads. Videodisks can be found in various formats, including laserdisc and VHD, which offer analog video and sound quality. Although largely obsolete today, videodisks played an important role in the development of home video technology and were popular during the 1980s and 1990s.
Synonyms
VHD, analog video disk, laserdisc, video disc.
Examples of usage
- I watched my favorite movie on a videodisk.
- The videodisk had special features that the VHS version lacked.
- He collected rare videodisks from the 80s.
- The museum displayed a vintage videodisk player.
Etymology
The term 'videodisk' refers to a type of optical disc developed in the late 1970s and 1980s for storing video and audio content. The concept of using discs for video was a significant technological advancement, as it allowed for better quality than traditional VHS tapes. The first successful format was laserdisc, introduced in 1978 by MCA and Philips, which provided high-quality video and audio. However, the high cost and the need for a dedicated player limited its widespread adoption. Over time, other formats, such as VHD and CD-I, emerged, but none succeeded like laserdisc. Ultimately, the advent of DVDs in the late 1990s rendered videodisks largely obsolete, as DVDs offered more storage space, better quality, and were compatible with more players, leading to the decline of the videodisk as a medium.