Laserdisc
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
(written from a Production point of view)
Laserdisc (LD) was the first commercial optical disc storage medium, and was used primarily for movies for home viewing. The format was introduced in 1978 . Although Laserdisc was a major leap forward quality wise compared to its contemporary rivals VHS and Betamax, the format never really gained ground in the USA. In Europe it remained an obscure format, relegated to a niche market of videophiles. The most success it had was in Japan, where the format only disappeared well into the DVD age.
Star Trek was one of the earliest TV-shows published on this format. In the US TOS, TAS, TNG, the first 3 seasons of DS9 and the first 8 movies were released in this format as well as the Star Trek 25th Anniversary Special. In Japan TOS, TAS, TNG, the first 5 seasons of DS9 and the first 5 seasons of VOY were released in season or half-season box sets as well as the first 8 movies and some specials that were not released in the US as a LD. The TV shows were released in a 2 episodes per disc (double sided) format.
Pioneer (the owner of the format) for the US and Pioneer/CIC-Video for Japan terminated production of Star Trek on laserdisc in October 1999.
| Home video formats |
|---|
| VHS • Laserdisc • DVD • HD-DVD • Blu-ray Disc |
