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.
January 26th, 1982 (Variety, 1982/02/24, p. 47)
Vestron Video Releases Their First 10 Titles
First announced the previous year, independent distributor Vestron Video finally kicks off their catalog with their first 10 titles. Among these are Cannonball Run (1981) and Fort Apache, the Bronx (1981).
April 12th, 1982
A House Hearing is Held on “Home Recording of Copyrighted Works”
The event is to discuss the “issue” with recording live broadcasts for later viewing. Its at this event that Jack Valenti, head of the MPAA, is quoted as saying, “I say to you that the VCR is to the American film producer and the American public as the Boston strangler is to the woman home alone.”
June 1st, 1982 (Variety, 1982/06/16, p. 37)
20th Century Fox Video Releases “Star Wars” on Videocassette
Star Wars is first released to videocassette. Within days of its release, it generates over $1 million in revenue. It is released in both a “rental only” version with a serial number, and a standard sale version later that fall. Sale price is $79.98.
June, 1982 (Billboard, 1982/06/12, p. 30)
Blay Video Releases Their First 22 Titles
After parting ways with 20th Century Fox, Blay creates his own video label. The company’s first (and only) 22 releases are made available for the first time at the Summer CES show. These titles include Magic (1978) and The Night Porter (1974).
August, 1982 (Billboard, 1982/09/11, p. 1)
Paramount Home Video Prices “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn” at $39.95
Paramount announces a major price cut of half ($39.95) for their latest hit title, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn (1982), on videocassette. This is big news in the industry and is the first major push towards the sell-through market by a major studio.
October 14th, 1982 (Variety, 1982/10/13, p. 45)
First Video Rental Vending Machines Launch
The world’s first videocassette vending machine, the “Videomat,” is distributed throughout Germany, mainly at grocery stores and gas stations. With the machine, a patron can either rent or purchase a cassette. It holds a total of 200 videocassettes.
April 21st, 1983
JVC HD-5500US (VHD)
First demonstrated in 1978, JVC launches their videodisc system, VHD (Video High Density), to the Japanese market. Similar to to the CED in that it uses the same recording technology (capacitance) and a disc caddy, its actually superior to the RCA format. Its never sold outside Japan and discontinued in 1987.
June, 1983
The DPP’s List of “Video Nasties” Is Made Public (U.K.)
The Director of Public Prosecutions’ list of films which violate the U.K.’s obscenity laws becomes public. These were mainly horror and exploitation films which contained “objectionable” sex and violence. 72 films would appear on the list. Being in possession of one could result in arrest and fines.
November, 1983
Sony Betamovie BMC-100P / BMC-110
First demonstrated in January of that year, Sony launches the first “all in one” consumer camcorder to the market. Models BMC-100P / BMC-110.
April, 1984 (upi.com/Archives/1984/01/04/Eastman-Kodak-Co-Wednesday-entered-the-home-video-war/1074442040400)
Kodavision 2200 (8mm Video)
Kodak launches the first 8mm video system, sold initially as a camcorder format. The smaller tape format promises the same quality as 1/2″ tape. Also referred to as “Video 8.”