The engineering of DVD format began first in 1991, though was not introduces to the public till 1996, and was meant to replaced the poor selling LaserDisc, a better quality form of Home Entertainment then VHS but still in analog format. Pioneer introduced the primitive DVD system called Karaoke System which used MPEG-1 compression, which was considerably larger then today's disc. The technology was improved by the partnership between Pioneer and Toshiba to propose a disc specification called SD in 1994, which now used red laser. At that same time, Sony and Phillips were developing MMCD which used similar but not the exact same technology. The manufacturers decided on the DVD standard in 1995, which is what is used today, including the more advanced MPEG-2 digital compression and it's size would be 0.6mm, the same as CDs. The first players went on sale in November 1996, first sold in Tokyo and on sale in the US in 1997. In 2000, the more expensive DVD player and recorders went on sale decreasing VCR's sales.
A LaserDisc Player