laserdiscs
Pre-DVD video format
Laserdiscs were optical discs the size of vinyl records that stored video and audio, read by laser rather than a stylus.
Popular from the 1980s through the mid-1990s, they offered superior picture quality to VHS tapes but couldn't record and were expensive.
DVDs made them obsolete: My uncle still has a collection of laserdiscs in his basement.
Feature-length filmed entertainment
- filmsProjected motion pictures
- concertsLive musical performances
- karaokeSinging to backing tracks
- animeJapanese cartoon art form
criterion · widescreen · letterbox · supplements · commentary · transfer · theatrical · collectors
Comparable equivalent
- opticalOf vision or light
- 12-inchOne foot measurement
- videoRecorded moving imagery
- audioTransmitted sound content
analog · composite · chapter · side · rotation · encoding · pits · reflective
Game participant
- PioneerAudio-visual equipment manufacturer
- SonyJapanese electronics and entertainment corporation
- PhilipsElectronics and healthcare conglomerate
- capacitanceElectrical charge storage measure
Seldom found or seen
- out-of-printNo longer being published
- sealedClosed to prevent entry
- mintAromatic culinary herb
- collectionGathered set of items
eBay · thrift · hunt · haul · grading · condition · jacket · gatefold
No longer available
- supersededReplaced by something newer
- DVDOptical media format
- Blu-rayHigh-definition optical media
- digitalOf discrete data
streaming · outdated · retro · transitional · niche · enthusiast · preservation · archival
movies
Feature-length filmed entertainment
anime · criterion · widescreen · letterbox · supplements · commentary · transfer · theatrical · collectors · imports
analog
Comparable equivalent
audio · analog · composite · chapter · side · rotation · encoding · pits · reflective · aluminum
player
Game participant
- PioneerAudio-visual equipment manufacturer
- SonyJapanese electronics and entertainment corporation
- PhilipsElectronics and healthcare conglomerate
capacitance · spindle · motor · component · surround · decoder · remote
rare
Seldom found or seen
- out-of-printNo longer being published
- sealedClosed to prevent entry
- mintAromatic culinary herb
collection · eBay · thrift · hunt · haul · grading · condition · jacket · gatefold · obi
discontinued
No longer available
- supersededReplaced by something newer
- DVDOptical media format
- Blu-rayHigh-definition optical media
digital · streaming · outdated · retro · transitional · niche · enthusiast · preservation · archival · degradation
- motion picture collectingfilm archives, movie memorabilia, film reels, vintage posters, rare footage
- filmsfeature films, action films, horror films, comedies, dramas
laserdiscsVHS tapes
Magnetic film cartridges
Betamax · cassette tapes · magnetic tape · reel-to-reel · compact cassettes
laserdiscsstreaming
Real-time digital delivery
Blu-ray · digital downloads · Netflix · streaming services · cloud storage