videodiscs

Shiny movie circles

Videodiscs are optical discs that store video content for playback on a television or monitor.

The term covers various formats from the late 20th century—most notably LaserDiscs, which preceded DVDs.

Though the technology is largely obsolete, videodisc persists as a general term for any disc-based video medium: The library's videodisc collection includes rare concert footage.

obsolescence

discontinued

No longer available

supersededReplaced by something newer
DVDOptical media format
BetamaxDefunct videocassette format

VHS · legacy · outdated · retro · niche · defunct · transitional · precursor · historical · phased-out

content

movie

Recorded visual narrative

filmMovie or coating
concertLive musical performance
documentaryFactual film about reality

karaoke · widescreen · letterbox · pan-and-scan · theatrical · bonus · commentary · supplements · catalog · title

format

LaserDisc

Optical disc video format

opticalOf vision or light
analogComparable equivalent
digitalOf discrete data

player · Philips · Pioneer · 12-inch · pressing · encoding · spiral · track · rotation · substrate

playback

player

Game participant

spinnerThing that rotates
remoteDistant or controller
chapterDivision of a book

skip · pause · freeze-frame · slow-motion · scan · eject · tray · loading · tracking · read

collecting

rare

Seldom found or seen

out-of-printNo longer being published
sealedClosed to prevent entry
mintAromatic culinary herb

collection · criterion · import · Japanese · slipcase · gatefold · sleeve · condition · grading · eBay

Opposites

storage medium format

videodiscsvideotapes

Magnetic recording cartridges

VHS tapes · videotape · VHS · Betamax · cassette tapes

physical vs. non-physical media

videodiscsstreaming

Real-time digital delivery

digital streaming · digital downloads · video on demand · cloud storage · streaming services

technological era

videodiscsdigital distribution

Sending content via internet

4K streaming · streaming media · streaming services · cloud storage · live streaming

Family

videodisc

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G