Optical disc format from the 1980s—larger than DVD, higher resolution, prone to decay. Archival relic now; irrelevant for modern production.
LaserDisc
Anyone who worked in a decent post-production office or archive in the 1980s and 90s knew the LaserDisc. The thing was impressive—30 centimeters in diameter, metallic sheen, and when held up to the light, you could see the fine grooves like on a vinyl record. Technically, it was the first optical digital storage medium for video ever: a laser beam read the data, not mechanical heads like with VHS. The resolution was around 425 lines, significantly better than VHS quality—a selling point back then that worked.
However, its practical use was limited to specialized areas. Archivists loved LaserDiscs for master insurance because the image quality remained stable and didn't degrade over time like magnetic tape. Editors occasionally used them for uncompressed or higher-quality test mixes—especially for classic restorations. In Asia, particularly in Japan and Hong Kong, the medium was extensively used for film releases. Hollywood also produced titles, but never with the same passion.
The problem was always wear and storage stability. While the marketing department promised "archival stability for 50 years," in reality, problems quickly emerged: fungal growth under the protective coating, LaserRot (oxidative discoloration), playback errors due to scratches. A few hundred plays, and you'd see the first digital artifacts. Anyone who wanted to use a LaserDisc permanently had to store it in a climate-controlled environment—which became economically pointless for most studios once DVDs emerged.
Today, almost no one is interested in it anymore, except for collectors and archives preserving historical media. If you come across old LaserDiscs—for instance, in archival holdings or at flea markets—they are usually unplayable. Those who need to digitize them require specialized players, which are now scarce. The LaserDisc remains a relic of a transitional technology: too bulky for the consumer market, too prone to failure for long-term professional use. For current archival work, migration strategies to digital file-based systems have long been the standard.