MCA Videodisc

From the Audiovisual Identity Database, the motion graphics museum


Background

MCA Videodisc Inc. was a brand name used by MCA Video Distributing Corporation from the assets of the defunct MCA DiscoVision plant, formed in 1981, to release titles for the Laserdisc, as well as RCA's SelectaVision format, as well as an aborted attempt to release it to VHD, which went unreleased in the USA. The MCA Videodisc branding was discontinued in 1983 when MCA Video Distributing Corporation was renamed to MCA Home Video.

Logo (1981-1983)

Visuals: On a black background, the words "A PRESENTATION OF" zoom out, in the corporate MCA font, before fading out in the center. Then, rainbow-colored streaks zoom out to the middle of the screen and flash to form the text:

MCA
VIDEODISC

The text is also in the MCA font. More rainbow streaks of light shoot out of the words and then settle back in.

Technique: Motion-controlled animation.

Audio: A deep low pitched whoosh noise which transpires into a dreamy arpeggiator, ending with some synth bass notes.

Audio Trivia: Besides the whoosh, the audio is borrowed from Tom Elliot's Syndicate. This is sampled in the Boards of Canada track "Split Your Infinities."[1]

Availability:

  • It's seen on all MCA Videodisc releases, both LaserDisc and CED, from 1981 to 1983.
  • Some MCA Home Video releases from early 1983 on LaserDisc and CED, such as Psycho II, may have this instead of the MCA Home Video logo at the start.
  • This appears on a pre-production United States VHD of Smokey and the Bandit, but VHD never made it to commercial release in the US.

References

  1. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/906702/Boards-of-Canada-Split-Your-Infinities-MCA-Videodisc-Logo-Intro/ Boards of Canada's 'Split Your Infinities' sample of MCA Videodisc's 'Logo Intro' | WhoSampled]
MCA DiscoVision
MCA Videodisc
MCA Home Video
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