A visual information display and retrieval system (VID-R) is described for application to visual records. VID-R searches and retrieves events by time address (location) or by previously stored ovservations or measurements. Fields are labeled by writing discriminable binary addresses on the horizontal lines outside the normal viewing area. The system automatically produces a new second-order tape containing the original picture record with the inserted data block. Fast search finds the events having the specified descriptions that are then displayed sequentially at the viewing speed requested. VID-R automatically performs reorganizations of a single record or a series of records, producing new dubbed copies of visual events from the original tapes or earlier dubs. The equipment includes two video tape recorders; one video disc recorder; three high-resolution TV monitors; teletype with paper tape punch and reader; and a PDP-8. (Author)