It used a laser optical system to read images and audio from the laserdisc, and could play both single-sided and double-layered laserdiscs.

Although popular with home users looking for better picture quality than videotape, laserdisc technology was eventually overtaken by more advanced technologies such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs.

Nevertheless, the VLP 720 is still considered an important milestone in the history of home video playback and some collectors are still searching for working examples.