Video High Density facts for kids

Video High Density (VHD) was a special type of videodisc. It was a way to store video and sound, mostly sold in Japan by a company called JVC. There was also a version just for audio, called Audio High Density (AHD).

How VHD Technology Worked

VHD discs were about 25 centimeters (almost 10 inches) wide. Each side of a disc could hold up to 60 minutes of video.

Disc and Player Design

VHD discs came in a plastic case. This was like the cases for CED discs. The case protected the disc so people wouldn't touch it. You put the whole case into the VHD player. The player would take out the disc, and then you could remove the empty case. If you wanted to watch the other side, you had to take the disc out, flip it over, and put it back in.

Reading the Disc

VHD discs used a special diamond needle to read the information. Unlike some other disc systems, VHD discs did not have grooves. Instead, the needle stayed on track using electronic signals. This meant the needle didn't actually touch the disc. This helped the disc and the needle last longer. For every spin of the disc, the player would read two frames of video and audio.

Interactive Features

VHD was designed to be very interactive. This made it useful for different things. It was even used in some video game systems. It also helped with tools for checking car engines.

History of VHD

The VHD system was first shown to the public in 1978. After being advertised in magazines, it was released in Japan and the USA in 1983.

Competition and Release

By 1983, other video systems were already popular. Laserdisc and CED were not selling very well. VHS and Betamax VCR systems were much more popular. Because of this, JVC decided not to sell VHD to regular people in North America. However, it was sold to the public in Japan. It was also sold for business use in the UK and the US.

Main Uses

During its time, VHD was mostly used for karaoke systems. It was also used for anime video games. Another big use was for interactive training systems. In the UK, VHD helped with training, showing demonstrations, and finding problems in machines.

3D Version

In Japan, there was even a 3D version of VHD. These discs spun twice as fast. You also needed special glasses to watch them.

VHD Today

VHD was not a big success for people to use at home. But it sold well for businesses. In Japan, VHD discs and players are still collected by some people today.

Images for kids

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  A VHD disc, showing a movie called "Girl With a Suitcase"

See also

In Spanish: VHD para niños