Video is a digital medium for the transmission, reproduction, replay, and viewing of live visual media. Video has been developed for mass production over the past century, but it is still widely used as a promotional tool today. The first use of video in any form was in radio programs. Today, it is used in many forms of advertising, from television commercials to animated movies.
Video was initially developed as a substitute for mechanical television stations, which soon after had to be replaced with cathode ray tubes which proved to be costly and difficult to operate. The first commercially successful video cameras were developed in the 1940s. Video recording systems were also developed and they could record high-definition (HD) videos. These HD broadcasts became extremely popular with the end of World War II and allowed individuals to view movies in High Definition (HD) quality. HDTVs, or High Definition Television systems, were also released in the United States in recent years, although the popularity of these has waned.
Video on demand (VOD) services are a type of video distribution that allow viewers to watch video on demand from a network, cable, satellite, or home entertainment system. This is similar to DVD rental services but is more affordable and convenient for many consumers. VOD services allow the viewer to choose the duration of time that they want to view their video.
Video games have become extremely popular with both the general public and the gaming industry. Although video games and movies do not compete directly, they are often closely related. Computer games can be played for hours on end and have become so popular that many companies produce computer games that feature action or realistic graphics. Many games have their own dedicated video game discs that are sold at retail stores.
The popularity of video games has led to the creation of television shows that are specifically designed for playing video games. Video game shows are generally based on their subject matter and may include real-life celebrities who play video games. Some video games show clips from actual shows that are set to music and are being broadcast to game consoles. Video game show hosts often comment about the latest happenings in the video game industry, while presenting information to the viewing audience.
Video games continue to evolve into new technological developments. Today, video games are used to create movies, animation, music, and television programs. They are also used in educational settings to teach children about different subjects and to children of all ages.
