Videodiscs

Videodiscs refer to a family of optical disc formats used to store video and audio information. The earliest forms emerged in the late 1970s, with the LaserDisc being one of the most prominent. These discs, typically larger than later formats, required specialized players and offered superior analog video and audio quality compared to contemporary VHS tapes.

The technology evolved with the introduction of digital formats. The first successful digital videodisc format was the Compact Disc Digital Video (CD-i), launched in the early 1990s, though it had limited success. A significant advancement came with the DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) in the mid-1990s. DVDs utilized laser technology to store significantly more data than LaserDiscs or CDs, enabling higher resolution video and multi-channel audio.

Later, the Blu-ray Disc emerged as a successor to the DVD, employing a blue-violet laser that allowed for even greater storage capacity. This enabled the distribution of high-definition (HD) and later, ultra-high-definition (UHD) video content. While streaming services have become dominant, videodiscs, particularly DVDs and Blu-rays, remain a popular medium for physical media collection and high-quality playback. The underlying technology of reading data from a disc surface using a laser is a common thread throughout these formats.