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. By default, the timeline below displays all events (with more always being added). Because the timeline has many events, use the buttons below to narrow down your interests.
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.
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.
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.
May 10th, 1975
Sony Betamax LV-1801 & SL-6300
Sony launches their new Betamax system in Japan, available in two distinct versions. The LV-1801, which is a television console unit, and the SL-6300, a standalone deck. The cassettes themselves are far smaller than anything else on the market, and at this time, only capable of recording a single hour.
November, 1975
Sony Launches the Betamax in the U.S.
Sony introduces the LV-1901 (the same model as the LV-1801 in Japan) to the U.S. market with the pricetag of $2500. Its a TV / VCR combination unit. Like the Japanese model, the unit is only capable of recording 60 minutes per videocassette.
September 9th, 1976
JVC Victor HR-3300 (VHS)
JVC launches their first VHS VCR in Japan with a cost of approximately $1060.
October, 1976 (Videography, 1976/10)
Home Cinema Service Advertises Movies on Videocassette
Joel Jacobson’s Home Cinema Service begins offering prerecorded U-matic and Betmax cassettes of public domain and adult films through advertisements in Videography Magazine.
October, 1976 (The Videophile Newsletter, Jim Lowe, Issue 1)
The First Newsletter For the VCR Community Is Published
Legislature staffer Jim Lowe publishes the first issue of “The Videophile Newsletter.” In it, collectors trade videos recorded off broadcast television and offers technical advice on using the machines. Its list of subscribers grew dramatically over the following months, eventually evolving into a full-color magazine.