LaserDisc players were initially released back in 1970, but, they helped to revolutionize 80s home entertainment, setting the stage for DVDs.
The 80s was a very transformative., Especially in entertainment and technology. Countless groundbreaking innovations completely changed how people consumed media. At a time when most households owned either a VHS or Betamax player, LaserDisc players introduced wealthier homes to digital home entertainment. LaserDisc players were a marvel in home entertainment technology and provided viewers with high-quality images and interactive features. Naturally, due to their high price, LaserDisc players were not very successful, commercially.
The Rise of LaserDisc Players in 80s Home Entertainment
The 80s was a decade of rapid change, and nothing drove this change more than the desire for better home entertainment options. VHS technology had been released in the late 70s but grew in popularity throughout the 80s. Virtually every household across the country had at least one Blockbuster rental card. Families would go out every single Friday to rent several movies for the weekend. Fridays became family night, a time when families could sit down order a pizza, and watch a movie.
However, there were many drawbacks associated with VHS technology. And, Philips and MCA wanted to introduce the world to a better alternative. At the time, MTV was revolutionizing music, and the home video market was exploding. With all the money spent on blockbuster films, there was a need for a better recording medium. LaserDisc players provided Hollywood with the perfect recording medium to provide the highest quality video and audio imaginable. However, due to the cost associated with purchasing a LaserDisc player, and the availability of the discs themselves, their popularity and 80s home entertainment were not nearly as successful as hoped.
How LaserDisc Technology Changed Home 80s Home Entertainment
The LaserDisc player was at the forefront of home entertainment technology. And, its existence helped pave the way for the DVDs of the 90s.
Superior Video and Audio Quality in 80s Home Entertainment
There was a demand during the 80s for superior video and audio quality. When compared to VHS, LaserDisc players excelled in this area. They provided a much better video quality, that can provide up to 425 lines of resolution. This was nearly double what was offered by VHS. As a result, LaserDisc players provided a significant improvement in picture quality and color depth. They were the preferred format for film enthusiasts, and for those who had their own home theaters. The audio quality was also much better than compared to the VHS format. After all, they were the first to offer the masses stereo and Dolby Digital surround.
Interactive Features in 80s Home Entertainment
Another unique feature that LaserDisc players introduced to the mass market, was interactive features. This interactive capability was far ahead of its time. After all, these same capabilities were available in the DVDs of the 90s. But it’s important to remember that the LaserDisc player was introduced back in the 70s. This is why major movie productions like Star Wars were first introduced on LaserDisc players. They provided bonus material to viewers such as behind-the-scenes footage, and director commentaries.
Moreover, LaserDisc players were perfect for use in schools. There were a number of excellent educational discs that were available throughout the 80s, and this allowed teachers and students to jump between various segments as well as access additional information with a simple press of a button.
One of the standout interactive uses of LaserDisc technology was in arcade games. The famous game “Dragon’s Lair,” released in 1983, utilized LaserDisc to deliver high-quality, animated sequences that players could control based on their inputs. This was a revolutionary concept, merging cinema-quality animation with gameplay and offering a truly unique interactive experience.
Niche Appeal of LaserDisc Players
LaserDisc players although not commercially successful, did have a niche appeal to people around the country. For example, in 1983 a game called Dragon’s Lair was released on LaserDisc and provided people with high-quality, animated sequences. It was a revolutionary concept that helped to merge cinema-quality animation with gameplay. And, it helped to inspire future game system designs that utilized discs as a game storage medium.
When it comes to their use for home entertainment, it’s important to remember that VHS dominated the mainstream video market. Anyone could go to a Blockbuster video and rent VHS movies on the weekend. But LaserDisc players were more niche. The format costs more not just for the player, but for the discs themselves. This made them a luxury item. And, they found a dedicated audience among film collectors and those with their own high-end home theater systems. Many collectors throughout the 80s I appreciated the longevity and quality that LaserDisc players offered. When compared to VHS tapes, LaserDiscs were less prone to degradation.
Who Created the LaserDisc
LaserDisc players would not have been possible if it weren’t for the collaboration between Phillips and MCA. The companies had joined forces in order to create a new digital format that would provide 80s home entertainment with some of the highest quality video and audio imaginable. More importantly, though, they work closely with Pioneer who manufactured LaserDisc players throughout the 80s and 90s. This allowed directors like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg to provide high-quality home releases of their films to the mass market.
What Happened to LaserDisc Players in 80s Home Entertainment
Due to their higher price tag, LaserDisc players never achieved widespread commercial success. Nevertheless, their cultural and technological impact was profound. During an era when VHS players were the most common form of movie format, LaserDisc players offered people higher quality video and audio than could be found in VHS systems. They also offered people interactive features that allowed them to see behind-the-scenes footage and director’s commentary.
The biggest success that LaserDisc players had in 80s home entertainment, was laying the groundwork for the development of DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Both of these technologies adopted the disc-based format that had been popularized by LaserDiscs. And, they featured the same functionality and capabilities that were standard in home media formats by the end of the 90s.
Conclusion
In the end, LaserDisc players were a stepping stone in the evolution of 80s home entertainment. While never becoming a true commercial success, they laid the groundwork for the future technology that we take for granted today. They offered people superior video quality that provided more than double the resolution of VHS systems. And, they provided superior audio quality by introducing the world to stereo and Dolby Digital surround systems.
