Remembering Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED)

In summary, the TMC channel is currently airing "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" which reminds some people of RCAs Capacitance Electronic Discs (CEDs). However, the speaker mentions that in Singapore, they skipped over CEDs and went straight to LaserDiscs. They also mention the progression from Video CDs to Super Video CDs and ultimately, the dominance of Blu Ray now.
  • #1
dlgoff
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The TMC channel is showing "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" which brings back the memory of RCAs Capacitance Electronic Disc. Anyone remember these?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ed/Ced_cart2.jpg/670px-Ced_cart2.jpg

The first "video disk" I ever purchased/watched was:

$%28KGrHqF,!hcE1iIvgPizBNho2!Jp8g~~_3.JPG
 
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  • #2
No, here in Singapore we kind of "jumped" over CEDs to LaserDiscs immediately.

Cool piece of nostalgia though.

After LDs, we went to Video CDs (whose quality was marginally worse than LD) which lasted for a while, then Super Video CDs enjoyed a very brief stint in the limelight before being crushed by the DVD Video specification. Of course, it's all Blu Ray now.
 

FAQ: Remembering Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED)

What is a Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED)?

A Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED) is a type of analog video disc playback system that was developed by RCA in the 1980s. It used a special stylus to read information encoded on the disc through capacitance changes, similar to how a vinyl record player works.

How did the CED work?

The CED player used a stylus to read information encoded on the disc through capacitance changes. The disc had a conductive layer and a non-conductive layer, and the stylus would make contact with the conductive layer, measuring changes in capacitance as it moved across the disc. This information was then translated into video and audio signals that were sent to a TV for playback.

What were the advantages of the CED compared to other video formats?

The CED had several advantages over other video formats at the time, including its ability to store up to 60 minutes of video on a single side of the disc, its durability, and its relatively low cost compared to other formats like VHS and Betamax.

Why did the CED ultimately fail?

The CED ultimately failed due to a combination of factors, including the rise of competing video formats like VHS and Betamax, the high cost of the CED player, and technical issues such as poor image quality and difficulty in finding replacement parts for the player.

Are there any CED players or discs still available today?

While production of CED players and discs stopped in the early 1980s, there are still some available for purchase on sites like eBay or in vintage stores. However, due to the limited availability and age of these products, they may be difficult to find and may not be in working condition.

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