Introduced in 1978, Video Laserdiscs Were Technologically More Advanced than Video Cassettes

Reading Passage Question

Introduced in 1978, video laserdiscs were technologically more advanced than video cassettes—they offered better picture quality without degradation over time—yet video cassettes and recorders were far more successful commercially, at least in part because relatively few movies were ever released on laserdisc. As this example illustrates, superior technology is no guarantee of success in the home audio and video market.

In home audio, vinyl records were the dominant format until the 1970s, when audio cassette tapes were introduced. Cassette tapes offered no better sound quality than vinyl records (in fact, some believed they offered lower quality), yet this format became widely successful for reasons having little to do with technical advancements in sound quality. Cassettes were more portable than records, and the ability to record from

records onto cassettes made the two formats complementary. In addition to buying prerecorded records and tapes, consumers could now make copies of vinyl records and listen to them outside the home. Thus, cassette tape sales grew even as vinyl remained a popular format.

The rise of audio compact discs (CDs) was quite different. Introduced in 1983, CDs clearly offered higher sound quality than records or cassettes, yet they were not an immediate success. However, CDs were persistently and aggressively marketed by the industry, and by the 1990s they had become the most popular audio format. The dominant position of CDs was further cemented later in the 1990s by the advent of new technology that allowed consumers to create their own CDs at home—thus combining one of the best features of audio cassettes with the higher sound quality of CDs.

In home video, after the failure of laserdiscs, video cassettes remained the dominant format until the advent of digital video discs (DVDs). Introduced in 1997, DVDs quickly gained widespread popularity. These discs were based on a technology similar to that of laserdiscs and offered several clear advantages over video cassettes, including better picture quality and better search features. Yet perhaps the real key to their rapid rise was the fact that manufacturers quickly made many titles available on DVD. This combination of better technology and smart marketing helped the DVD avoid the fate of the laserdisc.

“Introduced in 1978, video laserdiscs were technologically more advanced than video cassettes”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. The passage is primarily concerned with which of the following?

(A) Contrasting the success of DVDs with the failure of laserdiscs
(B) Describing the crucial role played by technology in the home audio and video market
(C) Questioning the wisdom of introducing new audio or video formats
(D) Illustrating that there is more than one path to success in the home audio and video market
(E) Proving that good marketing is the only way to guarantee success in the home audio and video market

2. The author of this passage would most likely agree that

(A) better technology alone will never cause the success of a new audio or video format.
(B) a combination of better technology and good marketing is the best way to ensure success when introducing a new format.
(C) there is no perfectly reliable way to predict the success or failure of new audio and video formats.
(D) companies in the home audio or video industry should invest less in product research and development than in marketing.
(E) consumer behavior is inherently irrational.

3. According to the passage, which strategy is LEAST likely to produce a successful media format?

(A) Aggressively marketing a brand new format
(B) Cautiously testing the market by releasing titles sparingly
(C) Relying on word-of-mouth advertising
(D) Creating a new format based on earlier technology
(E) Introducing a product that works with existing products

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