Below is a timeline for every notable 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.
March 14th, 2000
Gnutella Becomes the First Decentralized Peer-to-peer Network
First available for download on the developer’s website, Nullsoft.com, it is the first peer-to-peer network to be decentralized. Rather than searching a single centralized index for the location of files, the load is shared among all the peers of the network, resulting in a more robust system. Unlike Napster, it allowed for the downloading of any file types, including video. The software was quickly reverse engineered and used for subsequent peer-to-peer platforms.
July 2nd, 2001
BitTorrent is First Launched
BitTorrent, a decentralized peer-to-peer protocol which uses torrent files and trackers, is first launched on bitconjurer.org. It later becomes the most used method to download feature films from the internet.
September 21, 2001 (lddb.com)
Pioneer Presses the Last Movie on Laserdisc
The last film pressed on the laserdisc format, Tokyo Raiders (2000), is released in Japan. The last American discs were pressed in October 2000 and were Bringing Out the Dead (1999) and Sleepy Hollow (1999).
January, 2002 (Sound & Vision, 2002/01, p. 24)
JVC DH30000U (D-VHS)
The first D-VHS VCR is released in the US for $2000. Although the format had been in use since 1999 for data storage, the new machine repackages the technology for the purpose of recording HDTV. Later that year, Hollywood films are released on the format under the “D-Theater” trademark. These require a special D-VHS player equipped to play “D-Theater” movies. They provide 1080i resolution.
May, 2004 (Fresno Bee, 2004/05/26, p. C6)
Redbox DVD Vending Kiosks Launched
Redbox begins a test launch of DVD rental kiosks in the Denver area. They become the first widely successful DVD vending service in the country. Prior to splitting off into a separate entity, the concept began as a McDonald’s Ventures project to drive more customers to their restaurants. By November of 2012, they will have 42,000 kiosks across the country.
December 12th, 2004 (China Daily, 2004/12/13, p. 11)
Sony Launches the Universal Media Disc (UMD)
Sony debuts the UMD (Universal Media Disc) format with the launch of their PSP handheld game system in Japan. Spider-Man 2 (2004) is among the titles available with the system’s release. Movies are released on the format up until 2011 with the introduction of the discless PS Vita.
June 23rd, 2005 (New York Times, 2005/06/24, p. C5)
Grokster Is Found Liable For Distributing Software Used By Pirates
In 2004, MGM opened a suit against Grokster and two others for distributing software that they feel promotes the illegal downloading of copyrighted content. The resulting battle is seen by many as a re-examination of the “Betamax Case.” On June 23rd, the Supreme Court decides in favor of MGM, finding that Grokster is liable for any infringement perpetrated by the users of their software.
July 4th, 2005 (Gazette, 2005/07/04, p. D2)
Hollywood Prepares Movies for Digital Download
Following the Grokster case, its announced that Hollywood had begun to digitize their films for legal online viewing. Sony, Universal and Warner are reported to already have the process underway. Warner specifically, by this time, reveals they’ve already had their entire catalog of approximately 5,000 films digitized.
October 12th, 2005 (Wall Street Journal, 2005/10/13, p. B1)
Apple’s iTunes Offers TV Shows For Download
Apple announces iTunes 6, the latest incarnation of their music downloading software. This time around, it allows users to purchase music videos and TV shows for viewing on their latest iPod model.
March 14th, 2006
“A History of Violence” Is the Last Major Film On VHS
New Line Home Entertainment releases A History of Violence onto VHS. It is the last major studio film given a wide release on the format. Disney would continue using VHS exclusively through their “Disney Movie Club” until the end of the year.
March 28st, 2006 (https://www.cnet.com/culture/toshiba-launches-worlds-first-hd-dvd-player)
Toshiba HD-A1 & HD-XA1 (HD-DVD)
Toshiba is the first to release an HD 5-inch disc. Their first players are the HD-A1 ($499) and the HD-XA1 ($749). They delay the roll out in the U.S. until April 18th, when movies will be available on the format.
April 14th, 2006 icv2.com/articles/comics/view/8494/serenity-first-universal-title-hd-dvd
Warner and Universal Release the First 4 Titles on HD-DVD
Coinciding with the launch of Toshiba’s HD-DVD players in the US, Warner and Universal release their first titles on the format. They include Million Dollar Baby, The Phantom of the Opera, The Last Samurai and Serenity.
June 15th, 2006 (Business Wire, 2006/06/15, p. 1)
Samsung BD-P1000 (Blu-ray)
Samsung ships out the very first batch of Blu-ray players to retailers, the BD-P1000. Its cost is $1,000, twice that of Toshiba’s competing player for their HD-DVD format.
June 20th, 2006 (Wall Street Journal, 2006/06/20, p. D1)
Sony and MGM Release the First 7 Titles on Blu-ray
The very first titles are released on the new HD format, Blu-ray. They include 50 First Dates (2004), The Fifth Element (1997), Hitch (2005), House of Flying Daggers (2004), Underworld: Evolution (2006) and xXx (2002). The studio will also distribute The Terminator (1984).
September 7th, 2006 (Business Wire. 2006/09/07, p.1)
Amazon Launches Unbox To Download and Stream Movies
Amazon’s Unbox program becomes available through their website. For a rental or purchase price, users could download or stream “DVD-quality” movies and television. Their name would change several times, including “Amazon On Demand” and “Amazon Instant Video.” It would eventually settle on Amazon Prime Video.
September 12th, 2006 (Chicago Tribune, 2006/09/13, p. 3)
Apple’s iTunes Releases Their First 75 Movies
Apple finally announces full-length movies to be played back on the iPod. They open with 75 titles from the Walt Disney Company, each costing between $9.99 and $14.99.