Memorex Video Information System
Generation
4th
Developer
?
Launched In
1992
Decomissioned In
1994
Launch Price
$699
Games
4
The Memorex Video Information System (VIS) was a multimedia home entertainment system introduced by Memorex in 1992.
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Development and Release: The Memorex VIS was developed as a multimedia console designed to provide interactive entertainment and educational content to consumers. It was launched in 1992, during a period of experimentation with multimedia technology in the home entertainment market.
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Hardware: The Memorex VIS featured a compact and sleek design, resembling a VCR or DVD player of the time. It included a built-in CD-ROM drive for accessing multimedia content, such as games, educational software, and interactive movies. The system also featured composite video and audio outputs for connecting to a television set.
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Software Library: The Memorex VIS had a relatively small library of software titles, which included games, educational programs, reference materials, and interactive movies. Some of the notable titles for the VIS included "Dragon's Lair," "Space Ace," and "The Berenstain Bears' A School Day." The system's software library aimed to appeal to a broad range of consumers, including children, families, and adults.
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Reception and Legacy: The Memorex VIS received mixed reviews from critics and consumers upon its release. While praised for its innovative multimedia capabilities and user-friendly interface, it faced challenges in terms of limited software availability and compatibility issues. Additionally, the VIS faced stiff competition from other multimedia platforms of the time, such as the Philips CD-i and the Sega CD.
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Discontinuation: Despite initial hype and anticipation, the Memorex VIS failed to gain significant traction in the market and was ultimately discontinued after a short period on the market. Memorex ceased production of the VIS in 1993, and the system faded into obscurity. Today, the Memorex VIS is remembered as a curious footnote in the history of multimedia entertainment technology, representing an early attempt to bring interactive multimedia content into the home.