DiscoVision
posted 21 hours ago #
Today I learned that LaserDisc's initially started out being called DiscoVision, a format demonstrated as far back as 1972 and released commercially in 1978 with Jaws. It did not take off and MCA sold the rights in 1981, at which time it slowly became LaserDisc and still didn't catch on. The VCR / Betamax beat them too badly because they could record, not just playback.
Anyway, the point here is that DiscoVision is a fairly terrible name for a product that may be referred to as a noun. "Can I borrow your DiscoVision of Jaws?" just doesn't roll of the tongue. Sure, "Can I borrow your V-H-S of Jaws?" is pretty weird too but at least VHS only means one thing. Disco is pretty specific!
But it's not all bad - the early logo animation (1977) and the refined version (1981) are pretty sweet. Not as good as the LaserDisc Turtle but what is?
Anyway, the point here is that DiscoVision is a fairly terrible name for a product that may be referred to as a noun. "Can I borrow your DiscoVision of Jaws?" just doesn't roll of the tongue. Sure, "Can I borrow your V-H-S of Jaws?" is pretty weird too but at least VHS only means one thing. Disco is pretty specific!
But it's not all bad - the early logo animation (1977) and the refined version (1981) are pretty sweet. Not as good as the LaserDisc Turtle but what is?