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.
March 22nd, 1981 (Star Tribune, 1981/03/08, p. 9D)
RCA Selectavision SFT100W (CED)
RCA finally launches their videodisc system, a format called Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED). The player goes for $500 and the discs in the $20 range. The first title to roll off the presses is Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977).
April, 1981 (Back Stage, 1981/04/24, p. 1)
Technicolor Video Showcase 335T (CVC)
Technicolor launches the first portable TV and VCR unit in one. Its small and compact (for its time), only weighing approximately 20 lbs. The only catch to the device is that it uses Technicolor’s own 1/4″ videocassette format, the compact video cassette (or CVC). The format is unpopular and of poor quality.
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.