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.
November, 1946
RCA 630-TS
The RCA 630-TS is considered by many as the first mass-market electronic television.
January 4th, 1947
Universal Pictures Purchases Castle Films
Universal purchases a controlling interest in Castle Films through their non-theatrical division, United World Films for $1.5 million. They become the first studio to own a home movies division.
July 17th, 1948 (Billboard, 1948/07/24, p. 18)
Mel Blanc Sues Castle Films
Mel Blanc sues Castle Films among others for $260,000 for distributing a cartoon and song with his signature Woody Woodpecker laugh without authorization.
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.
November 3rd, 1956 (Variety, 1956/11/07, p. 33)
The “Wizard of Oz” Airs on Television
The Wizard of Oz (1939) is the first major film shown unedited on a major network. With sponsorship by Ford Motor Company, CBS-TV paid $250,000 to MGM to broadcast the film.
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.
May 12th, 1959 (Billboard, 1959/04/20, p. 30)
Cinebox
The Cinebox is first launched at the Milan Fair. It is an Italian movie jukebox which improved upon the Panoram of twenty years prior. Unlike the Panoram, it used color 16 mm film and gave its user the ability to choose from 40 performances. It is introduced to the U.S. in 1963.
1960 (Billboard, 1961/04/16, p. 53)
Scopitone
The Scopitone was a French movie jukebox competing with the Italian Cinebox. It also used color 16 mm film, but gave its user a selection from 36 performances. Sold for 25,000 francs. Introduced to the U.S. in 1964.
1962
Technicolor Instant Movie Projector
A projector that used “magi-cartridges”. These cartridges housed short 8mm films and did not require threading. Believed to have inspired the videocassette.
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.
1964
RCA Begins Development on a Videodisc
RCA begins research and development on a videodisc (later to become CED).
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.
1968
MCA Begins Development On a Videodisc
After having purchased optical disc patents from David Paul Greg, MCA begins development on a videodisc format (later to become laserdisc).
1968
Andre Blay Establishes Magnetic Video
Tape duplicator, Andre Blay, splits with his partner to create his own company, Magnetic Video. Unlike his previous company, this new one would specialize not only in audio, but video as well. It would later become the first videocassette distributor to release Hollywood films.
1968
Disney Creates Their Own Home Movies Division
Disney drops Hollywood Film Enterprises to create their own home movies label, releasing titles on the Super 8 format.
August 27th, 1968
CBS Announces the Development of the EVR
CBS reveals they’ve been working on a method to convert a film into electronic signals to be viewed on a television. The device is called “Electronic Video Recording,” or EVR for short.
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.