Pronunciation: [lˈe͡ɪzə dˈɪsks] (IPA) 
"Laser discs" is the correct spelling of the optical video disc format popularized in the 1980s and 1990s. The word "laser" is spelled with a long "a" sound as in "lay-zer" [ˈleɪzəɹ], and "discs" is spelled with a hard "c" as in "disk" [dɪsk]. The phonetic transcription of "laser discs" would be ['leɪzər ˈdɪskz]. While the technology is now widely obsolete, the spelling of the term remains unchanged.
Laser discs, also known as LaserVision or LaserDiscs, refer to an optical medium for storing and playing analog video and audio information. Introduced commercially in the late 1970s, laser discs were the predecessors of DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
A laser disc consists of a 12-inch diameter vinyl-like disc made of a durable, reflective material. One or both sides of the disc are coated with a thin film of aluminum, which is used to store the audio and video information. The audio is analog, while the video can be either analog or digital, depending on the encoding used.
To play the laser disc, a specialized player called a LaserDisc player or LaserVision player is required. These players use a laser beam to read the information stored on the disc. The laser beam scans the disc in a spiraling motion, reading the data as it goes along.
Laser discs have several advantages over other video formats of their time. They offered superior video quality and audio fidelity compared to VHS tapes, with less image degradation over time. Additionally, laser discs provided various features, such as multiple language tracks, subtitles, and bonus materials, which were not common in other home video formats.
However, despite their advantages, laser discs faced limitations. The large size of the discs made them less portable and convenient than other formats. Additionally, the production cost of laser discs was higher, making them more expensive for consumers.
In summary, laser discs were early optical discs used for storing and playing analog video and audio information. Although they had superior quality and additional features, their large size and higher cost led to limited popularity, eventually being replaced by DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
The word "laser discs" is derived from the combination of two components: "laser" and "discs".
1. Laser: The term "laser" stands for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation". The origin of "laser" dates back to the 1950s when the concept and technology were first developed. The word was coined as an acronym, initially lowercase "laser", by physicist Gordon Gould, who is credited with independently conceiving the idea of a laser. "Laser" became a common noun from its original status as an acronym.
2. Discs: The term "discs" refers to a flat, round, and typically thin object with a hole in the center. The word "disc" can be traced back to the Latin word "discus", which means "a round flat plate" or "a dish".
