Videoring

Background

Videoring was a German video company founded by Paul Mockel around the late 70s. They were first known to distributing music videos around Germany around the late 70s. In 1980, they started selling videocassettes in Scandinavia, UK, Ireland, and other European countries.

Logo (1979-1981)

Visuals: There are many colorful, kaleidoscopic wallpaper-like designs rapidly change and zoom-in towards the screen. When the colors all freeze, the image breaks into lots of green wavy lines dispersing to all directions of the screen on a turquoise/yellow/white lava lamp-like background, which fades-out to reveal a magenta background with a sliding green eclipse. As the eclipse slides away in a circle shape, the Videoring logo appears. The logo consists of the word "Videoring" in a giant futuristic font where the right stem of the "V" and the leg of the "g" form a ring around the word (looking similar to the Original Video logo). The logo is slightly slanted. Then, it fades out and more colorful designs zoom-in towards the screen. As this happens, some blue, heliotrope and dark green wavy floors zoom-up from below and altogether, the colors morph into an aquamarine circle, which then morphs into the Videoring logo, now on a turquoise background.

Variant: A still version exists where the logo is orange on a black background.

Technique: Scanimate and video feedback effects.

Audio: A 70's-era synthesized disco tune, which sounds like "You're My Best Friend" by Queen, as well as "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum. The ending also is the same as the Videoklubben logo as well.

Availability: This was one of the first VHS distributors, and so far their latest releases date to 1981, so it'll be tough to find. Still, check video stores across Europe or look online.^[Examples?]