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LP (Long Play) 12 inch record (1948 – )
The LP (Long Play) record is an audio format for phonograph records, introduced by Columbia Records in 1948 and still in use today. LP records are made of vinyl (either virgin or recycled) and together...
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CD-4 (Compatible Discrete 4) / Quadradisc (1972 – 1979)
Compatible Discrete 4 (CD-4) or Quadradisc was a 12-inch LP format created by JVC and RCA and introduced in 1972. It was the only fully discrete quadraphonic phonograph record system to gain major...
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Quadraphonic Sound (QS) (1972 – 1978)
Quadraphonic Sound (QS) was developed at Sansui and introduced in 1972. It is a matric format for quadraphonic sounds from the 12-inch LP vinyl record. It was also referred to as Regular Matrix (RM)....
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12-inch single (1973 – )
The 12-inch (30 cm) single is a phonograph audio format played at 33⅓ or 45 rpm, with wider groove spacing than other records allowing greater dynamic range and volume. The first 12-inch single is...
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LV-ROM (1986 – late 1980s)
LV-ROM (LaserVision Read-Only Memory) was an optical disk format introduced by Philips in 1986. It was based on LaserDisc, and used the same 12-inch diameter discs. LV-ROM was developed to integrate...
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LD-ROM (1993 – 1996)
LD-ROM (for LaserDisc Read-Only Memory) was a variation of LV-ROM introduced by Pioneer in 1993 for use in its LaserActive home entertainment system. LD-ROM had a capacity of 540 MB, higher than that...
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Capacitance Electronic Disk (CED) / SelectaVision (1981 – 1986)
Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED) was an analogue video disc playback system developed by RCA, using a special stylus and high-density groove system similar to phonograph records. The name...
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LaserDisc (1983 – 2001)
LaserDisc was the first optical videodisc format. MCA and Philips demonstrated a laser videodisc in 1972, and it was initially marketed in 1978 in the US as MCA DiscoVision, with the first release...
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12-inch 78 rpm record (1903 – mid 1950s)
12-inch 78 rpm records were introduced slightly later than the 10-inch version, becoming widely available in 1903. They increased the playing time to 4 or 5 minutes per side, over the 10-inch...
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Laser-etched vinyl (1980 – )
Phonograph records with etchings on one side have existed since the early 1900s, and etched centre labels were used from the very start of phonograph record production. Laser-etching is different as...
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SQ Quadraphonic (1971 – 1979)
SQ Quadraphonic (from ‘Stereo Quadraphonic’) was a system for providing quadraphonic sound from four speakers on vinyl records. It was introduced by CBS Records in 1971, and was adopted by a number of...
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Timecode vinyl (2001 – )
Timecode vinyl is a 12-inch vinyl phonograph record used to control vinyl emulation software (also known as digital vinyl systems) and was first introduced in 2001 as part of the Final Scratch system....
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dbx disc (1979 – 1982)
dbx was a noise-reduction system that was employed on a number of 12-inch LPs in the late 1970s and early 1980s.. The dbx system was premiered in 1973 and a promotional disc produced, but no record...
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Pye magnetic disc (1953 – late 1950s)
From around 1953 to the late 1950s the UK company Pye produced the Record Maker. This device allowed the user to record onto pre-grooved 12-inch discs that had a magnetic coating. Users could record...
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Compact LaserDisc (1986)
Compact LaserDiscs were 12-inch LaserDiscs that combined a complete music album (as would be found on the equivalent Compact Disc) in digital audio, along with music videos for some of the tracks....
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LP (Long Play) 12 inch record (1948 – )
The LP (Long Play) record is an audio format for phonograph records, introduced by Columbia Records in 1948 and still in use today. LP records are made of vinyl (either virgin or recycled) and...
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Record album (late 1900s – 1950s)
Sometime during the late 1900s, record companies began to sell sets of 78rpm disc records in hardback ‘albums’. These were much like photograph albums, but with paper sleeves for multiple 10-inch or...
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White label vinyl record (1948 – )
White label vinyl records are generally 12-inch LPs, or 7-inch singles and come with a plain centre label (usually white) and are in plain packaging. The centre label might have handwritten details of...
View ArticleLaserKaraoke (1982 – 2001)
LaserKaraoke (also known as LD-G) was introduced by Pioneer in 1982, initially for the Japanese market for use in bars and restaurants. A home player was introduced in 1985, and LaserKaraoke was...
View ArticleMatrix H (1977 – 1978)
Matrix H was a matrix quadraphonic audio system devised by the BBC in the mid-1970s and first used in 1977. It was one of a number of systems tested by the BBC, lettered from A to H. One of the...
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