Although the SC4020 was the main device for recording computer animation early on, other systems were tried and later other microfilm recorders were used. By 1970 the list included:
- SC4060, 4096 × 4096 addressing
- Benson-Lehner 120, view of Culham Laboratory's Benson-Lehner 120
- BETA 90
- BETA COM 600
- CALCOMP 890 and 1670, 4096 × 4096 addressing
- Scangraphics 1200, 1200 × 1600
- III FR80, 16384 × 16384
Of these, by far the most successful was the III FR80