[1] It was designed for the PAL color television standard, but some models additionally handled SECAM.

Distribution of Video 2000 products began in 1979 exclusively in Europe, South Africa and Argentina and ended in 1988.

[2] Although some initial models and advertising featured a mirror-image "VCR" badge based on the logo of Philips's earlier Video Cassette Recording (VCR) system, Video 2000 was an entirely new (and incompatible) format, which incorporated many technical innovations.

[5][6] They have two co-planar reels containing half-inch (12.5 mm) wide chromium dioxide magnetic tape.

Both manufacturers' hastily moved the audio head 1.25 mm to a common position, but compatibility issues remained for recordings made on the first generation of machines.