In 1983, RCA launched a version of their CED VideoDisc system that offered random access to enable interactive features for educational and entertainment titles. The discs were ‘banded’ to allow the user to skip to a different segment.
Two models of VideoDisc player offered the ability to play the interactive disks – the SJT400 and the SKT400 – and these could be used with their own 30-button remote control, or RCA’s Digital Command Centre which could also operate certain RCA televisions and VCRs.
Just a handful of VideoDiscs were produced that made use of the interactive features, including initially ‘A Week at the Races’ (with races arranged so that participants didn’t know which horse would win) and ‘Many Roads to Murder’ (with 16 different murder mystery scenarios). The interactive titles were housed in black caddies to distinguish them.
RCA ceased production of CED VideoDisc players in April 1984. Although CED VideoDiscs continued to be sold into 1986, there were only ever a handful of interactive titles produced and these are now rare.
A couple of titles, NFL Football CED-1 (San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders) and NFL Football CED-2 (Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins), were designed for use in the Bally Midway NFL Football arcade console. This console offered live action footage via the CED VideoDisc played in an RCA SJT400 player inside the machine.