Home video: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The home video business rents and sells videocassettes or DVDs to the public.

Most movies released at theatres are now released on DVD and VHS. This usually follows the end of the theatrical release period. Many older TV programs are now also available on DVD. These copyrighted movies and programs have legal restrictions on them preventing them from (amongst other things) being shown in public venues, shown to other people for money, or copied for other than fair use purposes (although even this is questionable now: see below).

There is great controversy about recent attempts to increase the protections for the rights owners using technical means such as Macrovision and CSS, and by the enactment of laws such as the DMCA, at the expense of consumers fair use rights.

Major United States players in the home video business include Blockbuster Video and Netflix.

See also:

• videocassette recorder
• copyright law
• rental shop