RCA EM-2 CED Player Prototype in 1975

CED in the History of Media Technology

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1975: RCA EM-2 CED VideoDisc Player Prototype

The RCA Engineering Model 2 was the first CED player that RCA demonstrated to the technology press on March 19th, 1975 on the 49th floor of 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. The chief demonstrator was Richard Sonnenfeldt (pictured), who had recently been appointed staff vice president for VideoDisc operations. This demonstration came just four days after Philips and MCA held a similar event for DiscoVision, also in New York. These demonstrations may have been timed to coincide with the introduction of the Teldec system in Europe, as proof that superior VideoDisc systems were being developed. During the demo RCA emphasized the simple nature of the CED system, since at that time the laser required by the Philips/MCA optical system was based on gas tube technology rather than the laser diode technology that was available when compact discs hit the market in 1983. Sonnenfeldt stated "Our philosophy is to put a simple, low-cost, easily serviced player in the home and to keep the space age technology in the factory."

These presentations, at least in the eyes of the press, suggested another competition for the market, not unlike the Color TV standard and EVR vs. Holotape contests of years past. This higher profile for VideoDisc did result in more corporate resources becoming available. Anthony Conrad replaced Robert Sarnoff as RCA CEO in November 1975, and he continued support for the CED system.

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