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.
September 30th, 1969
RCA Demonstrates Holotape
RCA first demonstrates the “Selectavision.” The system is a playback only device, using cartridges that contain “holotape.” It never makes it to market, but the Selectavision trademark is used for later devices.
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.
May, 1970
Philips Demonstrates Their Consumer-Friendly VCR
At the 2nd annual International Music Industry Conference held in Spain, Philips presents their entry into the videocassette race, calling it the machine, VCR (Videocassette Recording). This abbreviation would stick for all subsequent home video recorders.
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.
June 28th, 1970 (Variety, 1970/05/27, p. 27)
Frank Stanton Demonstrates Cartrivision
Frank Stanton (of Cartridge Television Inc, a subsidiary of Avco) demonstrates his Cartrivision system at the Consumer Electronics Show. This system uses cartridges of video tape to playback prerecorded media.
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.
September, 1971
Sony U-matic VP-1000
Launch of the first videocassette player. Originally intended for the consumer market, but are mainly used commercially because of its high cost. Because this first version did not have recording capabilities, it’s technically not a VCR.
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.
August, 1972
Cartridge Rental Network
The Cartridge Rental Network is established to supply prerecorded movies to Cartrivision owners. A selection of 200 titles were available for purchase and rent. Red cartridges, typically movies, were only available for rent while black ones, typically documentaries and instructional videos, could be purchased.
August 21st - 24th, 1972 (Billboard, 1972/08/12, p. 40)
VidExpo ’72
Billboard’s own videocassette event is held in New York. During panel discussions, debate erupts over whether cartridge television (what would later be called home video) was already happening or still several year out. Standardization was also still a concern. VidExpo would have one more even the following year.
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).
December 12th, 1972 (Variety, 1972/12/13, p. 1)
MCA First Demonstrates Laserdisc
A Discovision prototype, as it’s called at this time, is finally unveiled before a crowd of over 300 industry professionals and journalists. MCA plays a disc containing a seven minute montage made from 22 of Universal’s greatest hits. Still several years from completion, executives refer to this event as a “progress report.”
July, 1973
Avco Discontinues Their Cartrivision System
Due to a variety of reasons, including high cost, faulty equipment, poor marketing and disintegrating cartridges, Cartrivision didn’t meet sales projections. As a result, Avco discontinues the system and Cartridge Television Inc’s assets are liquidated.
1974
Time-Life Advertises Telecourses On the U-matic Format
Time Life begins advertising the availability of “telecourses” for Sony’s U-matic system. The programs are mostly business related, included training for secretarial work, professional communication and a 4-hour course on speed reading with TV personality, Dick Cavett, priced at $4,500.
1974
Sanyo VTC-7100 (V-Cord I)
Sanyo introduces their own videocassette system, the Sanyo VTC-7100 (later referred to as V-Cord I). It’s an early 1/2″ black and white videocassette system which uses the inferior skipfield process. Designed as a portable machine with a camera.