Marketing challenges
Added 2018-01-28 21:36:02 +0000 UTCI've been waiting to make the next video on Laserdisc for a couple of things to show up in the mail. I've had the ad on the right (from 1981) framed for a while, but I thought I'd buy an ad for the VCR I'm comparing this to (from 1979). I only had this idea a few days after I released the first video, but I think it will perfectly explain the issue Laserdisc faced.
See the problem?
The continuation of Laserdisc video will be available within a week or so. Tomorrow I'll be making a quick video for the interim.
See you soon!
Comments
Well, let's hope you're able to release this video on time. You've got my attention with this teaser, that's for sure!
Roger Beal
2018-01-28 23:40:39 +0000 UTCYou're exactly right with how RCA doesn't mention Hollywood movies--Laserdisc in essence started the home video market. Pre-recorded video cassettes appeared later, and weren't at all the reason you would buy a VCR.
Technology Connections
2018-01-28 23:26:28 +0000 UTCAlong the same lines as Verysofisticated: The RCA ad almost entirely talks about its utility in your life, and doesn't even mention Hollywood movies or other pre-recorded entertainment; the Magnavox almost exclusively about the quality of Laserdisc and the available "videodisc albums". (Which makes me wonder why DVD took off the way it did, when it did... I think the DVR didn't rise for most people until a few years into DVD. Maybe TVs had finally come along far enough that the quality improvement was noticeable?)
Rufo Sanchez
2018-01-28 23:20:04 +0000 UTCAn appliance vs a toy, in a way.
avfusion
2018-01-28 23:08:27 +0000 UTCThe one on the left seems like it's marketed toward the everyday consumer while the one on the right comes across like one made for people who really want the most out of every part of their media experience. Your *present* TV, your *present* Stereo. Most people at the time had common grade, mono audio TVs. Getting a laser disk really wouldn't have made your experience that much better over a VCR since most people hadn't invested in so many extras.
avfusion
2018-01-28 23:07:25 +0000 UTCSort of. That's certainly a part of it. What I'm getting at (and I'm deliberately being vague here) is what the RCA ad doesn't mention, and why the contemporary view of seeing Laserdisc and VHS as in competition with one another isn't necessarily correct.
Technology Connections
2018-01-28 22:06:12 +0000 UTCI'm guessing that for consumers of the time, automatically recording TV programs is a much more desirable feature than fancy video playback features?
Scribblers
2018-01-28 21:54:36 +0000 UTC
