An interactive videodisk is a computer-assisted instruction technology or CAI technology that uses a computer in order to give a user access to up to two hours of video material that is stored on a videodisk. Videodisks are a precursor to the much more well-known CD-ROMs, and are read-only optical storage media, much like CDs are. Videodisks, however, are designed specifically to store and randomly access and retrieve images, stills, and continuous video.
Technipages Explains Interactive Videodisk
In order to read and interact with them, a user needs a front-end program that lets them access the information on the disk, and usually specifies more clearly exactly what imagery they want to retrieve. In an example of a videodisk of the National Gallery, a user could instruct the program to show them all images that include animals, for example, and the disk would then show the relevant content to the user.
Outdated as it is now, videodisks are random-access discs that contain both audio and analog video signals (in any combination of both) recorded in an analog form. Compared to modern DVDs and even more modern recording options, the lower quality and limited storage capacity of videodisks make them an unviable option for all but the most specific purposes. Early versions of the videodisk were already around in the year 1965 when Westinghouse Electric Company released a version that could store up to 400 images and 40 minutes of sound – a far cry from the larger storage media like VHS and DVD that replaced the video disk soon enough.
Common Uses of Interactive Videodisk
- An Interactive Videodisk is built on the same design philosophy as a CD using a laser to read data.
- he Interactive Videodisk helps to drive engagement in a learning environment through its interactivity.
- Advocates of the interactive videodisk have claimed that it can be a powerful educational tool.
Common Misuses of Interactive Videodisk
- The Interactive Videodisk is just another name for DVD.
