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Channel: ABC Science
Video title: Introducing The Amazing Compact Disc | 1982 | Retro vintage 80s technology

 

That was a very comprehensive report. The Sony looks to be a prototype as the first player they sold was a tray loader. The display looks to be Texas Instruments units that were off the shelf back then. It was impressively shock proof. My first generation Hitachi was nothing like that good. A shame that CDs were almost twice the price of LPs at launch. How things have changed.

Here is one of the UKs first glimpse of players on much missed science and technology programme Tomorrow's World

Either they have cut the bit where they put jam on the disc and drilled a hole in one before playing it or that was on a different programme.

 

I just found some details on the Sony website about the switch to tray loading. https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/2-09.html
It seems like the record companies all thought CD was a terrible idea.

 

One of the coolest videos I have seen for a long time

It shows just about everything Sony were making in the 1960s. Although I this must include the early 1970s as U-Matic VCRs were launched in 1971. Seeing the scale of the production lines makes you realise how many products they were producing each day.

 

This one is for @Recaptcha and @Jorge

Obviously a prototype I like the way he spins up the disc before closing the lid.
The BeeGees seemed to be very popular in early CD advertising.

 

OK, so this is pretty awesome... that prototype CD player acts like a turntable, and the operator closes the lid like a dust-cover. Also, what is that crazy display with the digits on the front for?

1976 is what the Vivaldi CD in the video is dated. The CD also looks like a 45 rpm single with the small label in the middle. I think the BeeGees were just popular in general during this time, and their popularity was used to kickstart the CD in this particular round.

 

I guess the display is for track time etc. Interestingly Sony appear to have used the same display on their prototype player
https://twitter.com/nostalnerd/status/980334199780642816
Having used them at work I recognise the display as an off the shelf Texas Instruments part. They were expensive though at about £5 for a single digit.

A couple of other people have commented on the date of the Vivaldi CD, but of corse that is the date of the recording, not when the disc is pressed.
After watching that one there was a link to a video which looks at a couple of early CD players and makes an interesting comment on disc labelling and metalisation