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Initially, RCA garnered some traction with the CED, selling over half a million players and millions of discs. Potential owners showed enthusiasm, often purchasing multiple discs in the first year. However, this optimism quickly faded. RCA underestimated consumer preferences for video rental, which ultimately put their ownership model at a disadvantage.
The rise of affordable, rental-based VCRs created a landscape in which consumers preferred to borrow films rather than invest in ownership. This change in consumer behavior left little room for RCA's model to succeed.