Below is a timeline for every significant event in the history of movies in the home (with more being added). It should be noted that this website uses the term, “Home Video,” in two different ways. Firstly, it uses it as an umbrella term for the viewing of movies in the home, physical or otherwise. Secondly, its also the label given to the era in time where movies are being released on physical video formats.
1937
Pathegrams are Revived and “Hindenburg Explodes!” Is an Instant Hit
Film editor and distributor, Eugene Castle, revives Pathe’s Pathegram line of home movies. The first release, Hindenburg Explodes!, is a huge success, taking in a reported $40,000-$50,000 (nearly $1 million today) in the first few days.
1937
Castle Films Announces Home Movies
Shortly after his success with the revived Pathegram line, Eugene Castle splits with Pathe and creates a home movies division at his distribution company, Castle Films.
November, 1946
RCA 630-TS
The RCA 630-TS is considered by many as the first mass-market electronic television.
November 11th, 1951
Video Tape Recording is First Demonstrated
Collaborating at the behest of Bing Crosby, Bing Crosby Enterprises and Ampex demonstrate the first video tape recorder. Although the results are poor on this early prototype, it’s proof of concept.
April, 1956
Ampex VRX-1000
The first practical VTR is demonstrated and sold at the National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters convention. Ampex received 75 orders for the VTR during the event, earning the company around $4 million, with each unit costing around $50,000.
1958
David Paul Gregg Invents the Optical Video Disk
David Paul Gregg invents an optical disk for recording video while working at the electronics engineering company, Westrex (a subsidiary of Western Electric). He patents his designs in 1961 and 1969.
June 24th, 1963
The Telcan
The Nottingham Electronic Valve Company (comprised of inventors Norman Rutherford and Michael Turner) demonstrates the first European consumer-use reel-to-reel video recorder, developed in the UK. Was launched to the public later that year.
September, 1963
Ampex Signature V
Ampex demonstrates the Signature V at the High Fidelity Music Show. It is the first American consumer-use videotape recorder. It is offered to the public later that year in Nieman-Marcus’ annual Christmas Book at a cost of $30,000. It is a TV, reel-to-reel video and audio recorder, record player, radio and camera unit all in one.
August, 1965
Sony CV-2000
Sony introduces the CV-2000, the first practical consumer use reel-to-reel video recorder. Priced at $695, it uses 1/2″ tape and helical scanning.
1969
CBS EVR System
The EVR (Electronic Video Recording) system is launched with an $800 price tag. The device converts the frames of a specially made cartridge of film into electronic signals which could then be viewed on a television. Likely due to is inability to record and its high price tag, production ends in 1975.
October, 1969
Sony Demonstrates the First Videocassette
Sony presents the very first videocassette prototype. Initially called “Videocassette,” it would later be given the name, U-matic due to the path the 3/4″ tape takes inside the machine.
June, 1970
Teldec Demonstrates the First Videodisc
At a Berlin conference, Teldec and Telefunken performed the first industry demonstration of a consumer videodisc. Similar to what RCA is developing, Teldec’s was a paper-thin foil disc that could hold only several minutes. Expected to launch in 1972, it doesn’t actually make it to market until 1975.
April 19th - 23rd, 1971
The First Home Video Conference Is Held
The event, called “The First International Cartridge TV, Videocassette, and Videodisc Conference,” is held in Cannes, France and is a collaboration between Billboard and VIDCA. Panelists from companies all over the world discuss such topics as development, programming and standardization.
Early 1972
Philips VCR N1500
Philips launches their VCR N1500 for $600, the first consumer-friendly VCR to make it to the market. It has the ability to not only playback, but also record. Subsequent models were later made up through the late 1970s but are eventually dominated by superior formats. Prereocords were made available towards the end of the formats life.
June, 1972
Avco Cartrivision
The Avco Cartrivision system is launched. Unlike previous video machines, this one is built directly into a television console, resulting in the hefty price tag of $1,895. This is the first system to legitimately offer studio films and adult content on videotape to the public.
November 8, 1972 (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, 1972/11/08, p. 39)
HBO Airs Its First Movie
On its inaugural airing, HBO (Home Box Office), broadcasts a hockey match Between the New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks, followed by their first feature film, Sometimes a Great Notion (1971).
March 17th, 1975 (Billboard, 1975/03/01, p. 1)
Teldec TeD
The Teldec TeD (Television Disc) becomes the first consumer videodisc to reach the market. It’s an 8 or 12-inch in diameter disc which at most contains 10 minutes of video. In its first three months, 6,000 units (each costing $600) and 50,000 discs are manufactured and distributed throughout Germany.