Computing

War of the formats

Laserdisc v DVD

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Laserdisc v DVD

The winner: DVD

Laserdisc was the first commercial optical disc storage medium and could be found on shop shelves by the end of 1978. A huge hit with movie enthusiasts especially in Asia the format was not as successful with the general public.

By 1993 there was a new competitor on the scene, a name that is now very familiar - DVD. Smaller and cheaper to produce DVD was set for war from the get go.

In 2003 DVD surpassed Laserdisc (and VHS) rentals for the first time. The conflict was over and DVD stood proud.

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