WORLD'S FIRST: Laser Video Disc Player made in 1982

Philips invented the first Laserdisc Player and Recorder in 1972, however this was an industrial machine and though demonstrated successfully, it was too large to be used by broadcasters or domestic users.
Through further development and the use of microchip technology it was considerably reduced. However being a recorder it created additional problems of copyright protection. In the end it was decided to work on reducing its size further by having it as Player only. Capable of playing pre-recorded video discs in a similar manner to the videos available for the video recorder.
Sony saw the disadvantage of having a competitor with a new far more powerful device to offer consumers. The sharp image and clear slow motion and search facilities were unmatched by the VHS video machine. As sony had bought up several film production houses at this stage it decided to use its influence to put a stop to the Laserdisc Player. New films would not be made available for the new machine, and from the old films only a limited number would be made available.
Needless to say the player failed in the face of a large initial cost, expensive laserdiscs, but most importantly a total lack of films. As expected people opted for the video recorder and Philips faced near bankruptcy. Eventually it was Sony who came to their aid, offering future co-operation in exchange for sharing laser technology and profits. Out of this co-operation came the world's first CD Player in 1982, a Philips invention using Sony's disc technology. It was followed in 1996 by the DVD Player. Philips had been busy buying out other electronics companies in the 1970s, and continued to do so in the 1980s.
Philips stopped all research & development work in electronics and moved into Pharmaceuticals. Leaving the electronics to some of the companies they had bought up in the 1970s & 1980s.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Philips
• VLP600
• vlp700
• magnavox
• VH8000
• magnavision
• WORLD'S
• FIRST:
• Laser
• VideoDisc
• Player
• made
• in
• 1982
• mkkiani
• electronics
• discovision
• record
• laservision

[jaworskij]

Beam me up Scotty! In 2007/08 I found a Magnavox VH8000 on eBay for $150 and $150 shipping. I don't know how well it works because the discs I have are the later varietyu with CX sound. All I hear is the motor spinning inside. Weeks later a friend of mine gave me a SONY industrial grade Laserdisc player. I wouldn't have bought the Magnavox if the friend had given me the LD player earlier.

[mkkiani]

@jaworskij So what are you saying??? Would you rather have the new Sony LD instead of the Super Extra Large sized box of tricks?

[rmx77]

i used to have one of pioneers first models. the one i had was a model that was manufactured both as a home unit and an arcade unit. i have since gotten 3 tray loading models but they are all manual flip. i wish i had the auto flip models

[mkkiani]

@rmx77 I'm afraid that all manufacturer's saw tray loading as a way to add sophistication cheaply & simply and boost sales to those want this look as opposed to the rough and rugged. Front loading and tray loading machines were made for longer so more exist, be it 4 or 8 track cartridge players, VCR's, Laserdisc Players or CD Players. Thanks for the comment.

[mkkiani]

But they thought it impractical. Thankfully the size was greatly reduced using new IC's & power transistors in the late 1970s. Sony indeed invested in the movie business before it actually bought Columbia Pictures. And investors have a big say. The prototype was indeed the Philips original 1978 prototype. Pioneer bought the license giving them the right to use the complete design to mass manufacture it. Philips changed their player's design for mass manufacturing.

[mkkiani]

The details are known to me but Youtube time limits are a constraint. The facts stated are correct and got from documentation of the time. D Gregg indeed proved the principle of lazer recording on disc in 1951, but Philips invented & demonstrated the first practical recorder. Valves continuously went faulty halting use. Powerful transistors created in late 1960s proved a better replacement but the machine took up half a room. So this machine would only be useful for tv broadcasters.

[devilman1962]

I remember when this player came out. I was 19 and was working for Hecht Company. They had a big display trying to sell this machine. I admit it was one of the coolest thing we had seen at the time, but the price was way too high for something that did not record.. They use to run a demo disk with paramount movie trailers and the Olivia newton-john TV special from 1978. I use to run down there every chance I got just to play with this player. Brings back memories.

[Psylliumhead]

Wrong date on it's release. The player came out in 1978 not 1982.

[Daffodil31LE]

The problem with these VLP machines is that about 99% of them will never play a movie again, sadly. The mirrors and prism that guide the laser beam are all out of focus due to inferiour glue. Without these mirrors and prism you can't make the laser beam focus on the disc. Of course the laser tube may also have died. Result: The machine spins the disc, but can't focus and shuts down. Too bad, because it is a beautiful piece of equipment.

[dandanthetaximan]

You never play it; what a disappointment. I have a model nearly identical to this that kind of works. It won't advance the laser, so it plays the same few few frames over and over.

[pimpingmrli]

so will these players play the early Discovision discs and the later ones from the 90's? Also what does CAV disc and CLV disc stand for? Isn't one the early type and the other the later type that played much longer on each side?

kinda like VHS's - SP, LP, & SLP (or EP)???

[noisedownloader]

where they were made? philips brand, In Japan? Holand? or the States?

[cengeb]

Philips owned MCA at the time, so they had movies to go. MCA owner of Spencer Gifts!! Yup.