Smart Home
the first optical disk storage system abandoned for being ahead of its time
During the history of the reproduction of audiovisual content, we have known amazing Technologys that have changed the paradigm of this industry. And it is that from the first moving images in the cinema, to the reproduction of streaming content from our living room, it has rained a lot. However, it cannot be said that there have not been failures, but that they say so to 3D televisions, or to curved Smart TVs. Although there are those who say that failure is usually the best teacher. Y one of the video formats that can perfectly fit into this group is LaserDisc.
LaserDisc had the misfortune of being the first optical disc storage system on the market. From him came those that we always mention today: the CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc. However, due to various factors, the format did not finish convincing the users. In this article we wanted to pay tribute to him and try to give reasons for the reasons for his abandonment.
A technological breakthrough
The Laserdisc was a joint development of MCA and Philips, with the former producing the discs and the latter the players. The first demonstration of this technology was made in 1972, which was put up for sale at the end of 1978 in the United States with the release of the movie Jaws.
LaserDisc was primarily used for movie playback. It was first marketed under the name Discovision in 1978. This technology was given many names, including Reflective Optical Videodisc, Laser Videodisc, Laservision, Disco-Vision, and more. However, it was not until Pioneer Electronics took over the majority of the shares in this company that it began to be commercialized with the name of LaserDisc in 1980.
For viewing content in this format, during the same year LaserDisc-compatible players were launched. They also had the endorsement of MCA (Music Corporation of America), with the rights to the largest catalog of films in the world. Besides, the image quality was much better than VHS and Betamaxwhich was what existed at that time.
Image: HistoryofInformation.com
LaserDisc discs had a diameter of 30 centimeters and were made of two aluminum discs covered with plastic and glued together. It was an analog format, although later some discs included the audio in digital format.
As in the case of LPs, LaserDisc also featured double-sided, so if the film took up more than one side (most did) it was necessary to get up to change it. However, some time later, high-end players emerged that included a mode that rotated the lens and a direction of rotation to continue playing the movie without having to get up from the sofa.
The video quality on Laserdisc was much higher than VHS, with 440 lines compared to 240 on VHS. Besides, Being an optical format, it did not require contact between the reader and the disc.so it did not wear out or suffer damage, contrary to what happened with video tapes.
In addition, in the case of NTSC Laserdiscs, they had various audio tracks available, so you could include on the same disc the normal audio and another with the director’s comments, which is impossible on a VHS. In addition, allowing to go from one frame to another arbitrarily instead of sequentially led to the appearance of some games like Dragon’s Lair.
Despite its virtues, it failed to catch on with consumers
Having all the ingredients for a successful technology, LaserDisc never quite took off. On the one hand, his discs were somewhat more difficult to manipulate than a videotape, mainly because of their size. In addition, due to their capacity, some movies had to be stored on several of these drivessomething impractical.
Image: The Retro Adventures (YouTube)
Another problem with this format is that recording units were never made available for sale to consumers, although there was some intended for the professional public. Likewise, its price was higher than that of VHS, at least in the United States. In Japan, on the other hand, a low price policy was implemented, so that the cost was similar to that of VHS, so the format did become more popular there. On the other hand, in Europe, its use was almost anecdotal.
It is estimated that LaserDisc was found in only 2% of households in the United States in 1998, while in Japan this figure exceeded 10%.
His life extended to the year 2000 approximately, when the last films in this format were commercialized. In Japan they lasted a little longer, although with the arrival of the DVD, everything changed. In fact, it was Pioneer who developed a player that could play both LaserDisc and DVD content: the Pioneer DVL-9.
Smart Home
With this pack of “smart” bulbs with Alexa you can decorate your home and create different environments (and on top of that, at half the price with a coupon)
If you have a house with an integrated home automation system, this Aigostar smart bulb pack It will give a warm touch to your home very interesting. Also, you can get it for half price at Amazon with a couponwhich is applied before purchase, for 17.99 euros.
Aigostar Edison Alexa LED Bulbs E14 Smart Bulbs 4.5W 470LM WIFI Vintage Bulb C35 Dimmable Filament Bulbs 2700K-6500K, compatible with Alexa/Google Home. transparent 4 pack
Being able to control when to turn the lights on and off in your home makes life and your electricity bill much easier, since you can schedule a time according to your needs. In this case, this pack of four “Smart” LED bulbs have a 4.5W voltage and its color intensity is adjustable, from 2,700 K to 6,500 K.
They work with 2.4GHz Wi-Fiand are compatible with both Alexa as with Google Assistant. In addition, you can adjust all the parameters through the mobile app.
Images:
Shipping & Returns
Shipments on Amazon have a cost of 3.99 euros but are free on purchases over 29 euros. Also, customers Prime They have free shipping. If you are not yet try it free for 1 month.
you have 30 days for free returns on all items sold/shipped by Amazon.
Note: Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may bring a benefit to Xataka Home. Despite this, none of the items mentioned have been proposed by either the brands or the stores, their introduction being a sole decision of the team of editors.
Prices and availability may change after publication
Cleaning robots have been on the market for some time and are one of the great allies in our day to day to keep the house spotless. Also, Xiaomi has a wide catalogue, and within all of them the Vacuum Mop P It is a great value for money option. Now you can find it at Amazon with a saving of more than 155 euros, so that you can buy it for 194.97 euros, compared to 349.99 euros at its previous price.
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum Mop P – Robot Vacuum Cleaner and floor cleaner with Intelligent Laser Navigation System (LDS), 2100 Pa suction, mopping system, 3200 mAh, Mi Home App
A Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner that vacuums, scrubs and is controlled from the mobile
This Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner not only aspire the dirt on the floor, too scrub thanks to the integrated water tank. It has a suction power of 2100 Pa and a water tank with a capacity of about 550 ml.
An interesting feature is that it is equipped with LDS laser, which allows the use of a navigation system with 12 precision sensors. In addition, it is capable of detecting the room to which it is going.
It can control with mobile through the Mi Home app, so you can manage the device even from outside the home. It also has a long-lasting charge, since it can continuously clean up to 180 m2 with one 110 minute battery life.
Images: Xiaomi.
Shipping & Returns
Shipments on Amazon have a cost of 3.99 euros but are free on purchases over 29 euros. Also, customers Prime They have free shipping. If you are not yet try it free for 1 month.
you have 30 days for free returns on all items sold/shipped by Amazon.
Note: Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may bring a benefit to Xataka Home. Despite this, none of the items mentioned have been proposed by either the brands or the stores, their introduction being a sole decision of the team of editors.
Prices and availability may change after publication
Smart Home
Away with smoke and works with this bioethanol stove from Leroy Merlin that is reduced to half the price. And forget about the cold!
If you do not want to heat your entire house with the heating system that you use on a daily basis, because you want to save on the electricity bill, a good solution is to have a bioethanol stove and heat the room where you are. leroy merlin It has this 2.5 kW TANTALO stove model that is now at half price at 489 euros, compared to 1,051 euros for its previous price.
2.5 kw TANTALO bioalcohol stove
A powerful stove, without electricity and greatly reduced
This TANTALO model bioethanol stove has a 2.5 kW power and it has a 1.5-litre capacity tank, ideal for heating a medium-sized room. In addition, it has a flame regulator and a autonomy of 3.5 hours.
These types of stoves are not the most suitable for heating an entire house, but they can be used to heat any room you want and, in this way, you can save on heating and electricity.
In addition, this stove has a modern design and is very decorative, so you can place it wherever you want, although it is not recommended to use it while you sleep. On the other hand, his fuel is ecologicalso it does not produce pollution, and its measurements are: 76 x 70 x 26 cm.
Images: Leroy Merlin and Taryn Elliott from Pexels.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping costs are automatically calculated at the time of ordering, as they depend on the volume of the product and the shipping area. Anyway, we have free pickup with Click&Collect and free shipping on a multitude of products only available online.
In addition, we have 100 days for returns. You will find more information in Leroy Merlin.
Note: Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may benefit Xataka Home
Prices and availability may change after publication
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