| 1935 |
|
|
| |
Gerald Cock, Director of BBC Television, forecasts that ‘telegram’ sets will replace
radiograms and long-running film records will be used instead of discs, the picture track being shown on the
home television screen. |
 |
| 1959 |
|
|
| August |
Grundig shows a simple monochrome video camera at the Berlin Radio Show (Funkausstellung).
It costs £190 and is aimed at the amateur market. It plugs into the television receiver aerial socket. |
|
| September |
 Toshiba of Japan demonstrates its prototype VTR-1 helical scan videotape recorder.
Two-inch tape runs at 15 inches per second. The demonstration spurs Sony to
start a research and development programme in helical scan video recording. |
|
| October 9 |
JVC applies for a patent on a two-head helical scan videotape recorder. |
|
| December |
General Electric Company of America announces
a new system of video recording called thermoplastic recording. The process uses a
high-melting-point film base coated with a transparent conducting layer and a thin layer
of low-melting-point thermoplastic. Video information is laid down by an electron beam and
the film is then heated to deform the surface in accordance with the information. Playback
is by means of diffraction optics. |
|
| December |
JVC completes KV-1, its
first production VTR and the first two-head helical scan recorder. |
|
| l |
Professor Okamura of Tokyo University of
Electro-Communications patents the slant azimuth method of video recording later used
extensively in all domestic video machines. |
|
| 1960 |
|
|
| January 9 |
JVC’s KV-1 helical scan VTR is shown publicly. |
|
| July |
Pulsed ruby laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation), invented by Dr Charles H Townes, is demonstrated by its maker Theodore H Maiman
(1927- ) at Hughes Aircraft Company Research Laboratories, Malibu, California. It is the
first practical laser of any kind. |
|
| autumn |
Colour version of JVC’s helical scan VTR, KV-2, is completed. |
|
| 1961 |
|
|
| January |
JVC announces a two-head helical scan colour videotape recorder, model 770.
Tape speed of 15 inches per second gives a recording time of 90 minutes. |
|
| March |
Stanford Research Institute (SRI) at Menlo Park, California, begins research into a
photographic television recording disc in conjunction with 3M. The aim is to produce
an inexpensive home video system. |
|
| September |
Kodak announces a new method for direct electron-beam recording on silver halide
film. This anticipates the recording techniques used for CBS's EVR system. |
|
| September |
At the Berlin Radio Show (Funkausstellung) German consumer electronics manufacturer
Loewe demonstrates its Optacord 500 videotape recorder. |
Loewe Optacord 500 |
| l |
Siemens and Halke of Munich develop a magnetic video disc for recording single frames. |
|
| 1962 |
|
|
| June |
Machtronics of California introduces high
standard portable helical scan videotape recorder MVR-10 using one-inch tape running at
7.5 inches per second (ips). Machine contains a monitor and records for up to 90 mins.
Followed by MVR-11, without monitor, weighing 65 lb. |
|
| October |
First images recorded and played back from 3M/SRI optical video disc. |
|
| 1963 |
|
|
| March |
Sony introduces the world’s first fully
transistorised portable videotape recorder, PV-100, for industrial use. |
|
| June 24 |
Telcan fixed-head
longitudinal videotape recorder intended for home-taping of television programmes is
demonstrated on BBC television news. Developed by Norman Rutherford and Michael Turner of
Nottingham Electronic Valve Company (NEVC), the machine uses quarter-inch tape running at
120 ips past fixed heads, carrying two 15-minute tracks. The intended price is £61 19s
(£61.90). Both Telcan and NEVC collapsed. |
Telcan |
| l |
US firm Machtronics introduces helical scan videotape recorder. |
|
| 1964 |
|
|
| April |
Winston Research Corporation, division of
Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation, introduces a low-cost fixed-head videotape
recorder using quarter-inch tape running at 120 ips. |
|
| 1965 |
|
|
| July |
MVR of California demonstrates a single-frame video disc
machine capable of recording 600 still frames or 20 seconds of action for immediate replay. |
|
| July |
US firm Westinghouse announces Phonovid system for recording
and playback of still pictures and sound on a television screen from an ordinary home record player. |
|
| August |
MVR video disc machine VDR-210CF built to CBS
specifications is used for instant replays on CBS coverage of an American football game. |
|
| l |
Matsushita introduces a compact half-inch industrial
videotape recorder to match the Sony CV series. |
|
| l |
Sony introduces the first monochrome half-inch tape
Video Rover portapak—used almost immediately by New York video artist Nam June Paik. |
|
| l |
German consumer electronics firm Loewe announces plans to market the
Optacord 600 home entertainment centre—a combined television
receiver and videotape recorder. |
Loewe Optacord 600 |
| l |
Wesgrove home video recorder is developed in the UK (based on the
Telcan). Outwardly resembling a Ferrograph audio recorder, it employs ¼-inch
tape running at 90, 120 or 150 ips and giving up to 30 minutes' recording time on 11½-inch reels. A
do-it-yourself kit, VKR-500, goes on sale for £97 10s (£97.50). |
|
| 1966 |
|
|
| March |
Sony announces Videomat and Video Color
Demonstrator machines using plastic discs for recording and playback of monochrome moving
pictures and colour still pictures respectively. These developments are forerunners of the
Mavica electronic stills camera system. |
|
| April |
Ampex announces VR-6000 fixed-head home video
recorder using one-inch tape and having built-in tuner for recording one programme while
watching another, and optional camera. |
|
| April |
Westel firm of California announces a portable
television camera and back-pack recorder, WRC-150, weighing 7 lb and 23 lb respectively.
Recorder holds 30 minutes’ supply of one-inch tape. |
|
| 1967 |
|
|
| July |
Newell Associates of California announces a
high speed fixed-head videotape recorder using tape speeds of up to 1,000 ips. |
|
| October |
CBS announces Electronic Video Recording
(EVR) using twin-track 8.75mm film onto which signals are transferred by electron beam
recording, one track for luminance, the other for either chrominance (to produce colour
images) or luminance (to produce a second monochrome track). The 750 ft film is on a
seven-inch diameter spool in a plastic cartridge. It is thus barely electronic, not really
video and certainly not intended for home recording. The development team is led by Dr
Peter Goldmark. CBS's partners are ICI and the Swiss chemicals company Ciby-Geigy. |
â 1968 |
| November |
International Video Corporation (IVC) of America introduces low-cost one-inch helical
scan videotape recorder, model 800, weighing 52 lb and giving 60 minutes’ recording. |
|
| l |
Matsushita announces magnetic sheet concentric video recorder, VSR. |
|
| 1968 |
|
|
| February |
Arvin Industries in US introduces prototype fixed-head colour videotape recorder.
It uses 4,800 ft of half-inch tape compressed in a self-threading cartridge running at 160 ips. |
|
| l |
CBS demonstrates its EVR system of video playback to the US press. |
à 1969
 EVR |
| 1969 |
|
|
| April |
Sony announces its first colour videocassette recorder. Known as the Magazine
Videocorder, it uses one-inch tape running at 3.25 ips giving 60 minutes’ recording time. Sony’s
one-inch videotape recorder model EV310, costing £1,200, is introduced this year. |
|
| June 17 |
JVC announces plans to market cartridge video recorder
using half-inch tape running at 7.5 ips for a maximum playing time of 30 mins. Audio to be
on dual stereo tracks. JVC, Matsushita and Sony discuss standardisation of colour format under
auspices of Electronic Industries Association of Japan (EIAJ). |
|
| July 21 |
First public demonstration of EVR home video system at
the International Audio-Visual Exhibition (Internavex) at Olympia in London. |
â 1970
EVR |
| September 30 |
RCA demonstrates its HoloTape video playback system. This appears to be a rushed response
to EVR as the prototype machine has no audio facility. |
HoloTape |
| October 27 |
Vidicord teleplayer is demonstrated in London. Using Super 8 cine film, stored in a cassette,
it plays back in monochrome via the aerial socket of a conventional television receiver. The player
costs £370. |
Vidicord |
| October |
RCA announces SelectaVision HoloTape holographic video playback system. |
|
| October |
EIAJ Type 1 video cartridge specifications are agreed and announced. |
|
| |
Electronic Industries Association of Japan sets CP-504
unified standards for non-broadcast open-reel videotape recorders. |
|
| November |
Matsushita introduces a magazine video recorder
with audio-type cassettes containing two reels of EIAJ standard reels of videotape. |
|
| November |
Sony announces a new home videocassette machine called Color Videoplayer, using
three-quarter-inch tape running at 3.15 ips, giving 90 minutes' playback with two audio tracks. A
revamped version of this machine is re-introduced in 1972 as the U-matic system. |
|
| 1970 |
|
|
| February |
JVC launches its first portable videotape recorder, model PKV-830. |
|
| March |
First demonstration by CBS of colour EVR. |
|
| March |
Sony introduces a new version of its colour videoplayer and mass printing system. |
|
| May |
Memorex of California announces a thermal contact method for duplicating videotapes. |
|
| June 24 |
Teldec television disc (later known as TeD) is demonstrated in Berlin-the result of
a joint venture between AEG-Telefunken and Teldec (the latter a joint venture of AEG-Telefunken and Britain's
Decca Record Company). |
TeD video disc |
| June |
Philips announces and gives the first public demonstration of its Video Cassette Recorder
(VCR) system using half-inch tape coaxially mounted in a cassette and running at 5.6 ips. |
|
| July |
Cartridge Television division of Avco Corporation announces its Cartrivision half-inch
videotape, giving 100 minutes of record/play from a continuous loop cartridge recorder. |
|
| September |
Ampex announces the Instavideo cartridge video system, using half-inch tape compatible
with EIAJ standards designed in modular form so that the basic monochrome recorder
could be portable with an optional camera. It is to be manufactured by Toamco, a
joint venture with Toshiba, but Ampex later backs out of the arrangement. |
|
| October |
Du Pont describes a thermo-remanent process for
high-speed duplication of chromium dioxide videotapes. |
|
| l |
Sony announces a portable half-inch open-reel colour videotape recorder. |
|
| 1971 |
|
|
| April 19-23 |
First International Cartridge TV, Videocassette and Videodisc Conference (VIDCA)
organised by American Billboard publications and attended by over 600
commercial representatives is held at Cannes, France. |
|
| October |
Sony, Matsushita and JVC announce 3/4-inch U-matic cassette format for colour video recording. |
|
| October 26 |
JVC announces its first U-format video recorders. |
|
| December 23 |
CBS announces its withdrawal from the EVR Partnership. |
|
| l |
JVC markets the U-format video system based on Sony’s three-quarter-inch standard. |
|
| 1973 |
|
|
| May |
JVC unveils a U-format videocassette recorder with integral tuner for off-air reception. |
|
| August |
Kodak announces VP-1 videoplayer for showing Super 8 film on television receivers. |
Kodak VP-1 |
| 1974 |
|
|
| January 8 |
  JVC announces its CR-4400 U-format portable
videocassette recorder. |
|
| September 23 |
Philips and MCA agree on a merger of their respective video disc systems, Philips to
produce and sell VLP hardware, MCA to develop and market Disco-Vision software. Formally ratified by
the companies’ boards of directors on October 7. |
|
| l |
Philips acquires American consumer electronics company Magnavox. |
|
| 1975 |
|
|
| March 17 |
TeD video disc system is launched commercially in West Germany. |
TeD |
| April 16 |
Sony announces the launch of the Betamax videocassette recorder format in Japan. Using
half-inch tape cassettes, the format is launched in the US in November/December. |
|
| l |
Japanese companies Mitsubishi and Nintendo collaborate
on the development of a video game application for the EVR video format. |
EVR |
| 1976 |
|
|
| September 9 |
 JVC unveils its VHS (Video Home System) half-inch
videocassette recorder format at the Hotel Okura, Tokyo. |
VHS |
| September |
Sony develops a laser-read digital audio disc system
based on Laservision video disc format giving 30 mins playing time per side at 1,800rpm. |
|
| October |
Sony announces development of digital audio processor
for use with videotape recorder for 12-bit quantised two-channel recording and playback. |
|
| 1977 |
|
|
| March 20 |
JVC places two-page advertisement in Asahi
Shimbun newspaper to launch VHS video format in Japan. |
|
| June 4 |
 VHS videocassette format is introduced to America under the name Vidstar
at a press show the day before the Consumer Electronics Show starts in Chicago. |
|
| June |
Sony and NHK develop PAU-1602 digital audio processor for
use with the U-matic videocassette recorder. |
|
| September |
Sony launches PCM-1 digital audio processor on
consumer market for use with Betamax videocassette recorders. |
|
| September |
Digital audio disc system using PCM direct recording method developed by Sony. Player
uses laser read-out to give one hour’s recording and playback per 900 rpm disc side. |
|
| October |
Six Japanese manufacturers have by now adopted the
VHS videocassette recording format. |
|
| October |
Japanese manufacturers develop optical digital audio disc. |
|
| November 8 |
Philips/MCA optical audio disc, playing 30 minutes a side, is demonstrated in London. |
|
| December |
JVC signs contract for OEM supplies of VHS recorders to Saba in West Germany. |
|
| 1978 |
|
|
| March |
JVC signs contract for OEM supplies of VHS recorders
to Thomson-Brandt in France and Nordmende in West Germany. |
|
| spring |
Recommended retail price in the UK of a JVC HR 3300 VHS videocassette recorder—the
only JVC model available—is £710 plus VAT, making a total of £781. A three-hour tape costs £13.43 plus VAT
(total: £14.77) but 30-minute, one-hour and two-hour versions are also available. |
JVC price list |
| June |
Thorn EMI Ferguson in UK adopts the VHS videocassette recording format. |
|
| October |
Sony develops a long-play digital audio optical disc
system using laser read-out of 450 rpm discs to give 150 mins playing time per side. |
|
| December 15 |
The Philips/MCA LaserVision video disc system is launched on the US market in three stores
in Atlanta, Georgia. Magnavision players, made by Magnavox, have a retail price of $695. Discs of recent
feature film sell for around $15.95, classic films and television programming for $9.95. |
|
| 1979 |
|
|
| April |
Sony announces a small-format optical digital audio disc. |
|
| September |
Electrostatic digital audio disc developed in Japan by JVC is adopted by 29 manufacturers. |
|
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