EP vs LP: Record Formats Explained
EP, LP, 45, 78, single — the record formats can be confusing, and Indian film music used all of them. This page explains what each format is, how Indian labels used them, and why the difference matters when you are buying or valuing an old record.
LP: the long-playing record
An LP is a 12-inch disc played at 33⅓ rpm, holding around 20 minutes a side. It is the format most people mean by "a vinyl record". For Hindi film music, the LP usually carried the complete soundtrack — every song, sometimes with dialogue or background score. Most of our catalogue is LPs, across Hindi, Tamil, English and other sections.
EP: the extended play
An EP — extended play — sits between a single and an album. In India it almost always means a 7-inch disc with two songs a side, so four songs in all. Most Indian EPs play at 45 rpm, though some 7-inch releases play at 33⅓; the speed is printed on the label. EPs were cheaper than LPs and were how many listeners bought the hit songs of a new film.
Single and 45 rpm
A single is a 7-inch 45 rpm disc with one song a side. In Western markets the single dominated; in India the 4-song EP was far more common for film music. Collectors and sellers often use "45" loosely for any 7-inch record. Our 45 rpm and 7-inch EPs collection holds 410 of them.
78 rpm: the gramophone record
Before vinyl, records were 10-inch shellac discs played at 78 rpm, holding one song a side. In India they remained in production until the late 1960s, which is why so much early film music survives on 78s. They need a turntable that plays 78 and a suitable stylus — see gramophone records.
At a glance
| Format | Size | Speed | Typical content (India) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LP | 12-inch | 33⅓ rpm | Full soundtrack or album |
| EP | 7-inch | 45 rpm (sometimes 33⅓) | Four songs, two a side |
| Single | 7-inch | 45 rpm | One song a side |
| 78 | 10-inch | 78 rpm | One song a side, shellac |
Why the EP and LP of the same film are different records
A film's EP is not just a shorter LP. EPs often carry a different selection of songs, different sleeve art, and sometimes a different take or edit. For some films — especially smaller productions with few songs — the EP was the only vinyl release, so no LP exists to find. Collectors of a particular composer or singer, such as R.D. Burman or Mohammed Rafi, usually want both.
Which is worth more, the EP or the LP?
There is no fixed rule. LPs generally command more because they hold more music and have larger sleeves. But a scarce EP from a film that never had an LP can be worth more than a common LP, and picture-sleeve EPs in good condition are hard to find because the thin sleeves rarely survived. Our guide to what old records are worth covers the factors in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EP stand for in music?
Extended play. It holds more than a single but less than an album — on Indian vinyl, typically four songs on a 7-inch disc.
Can I play EPs and 45s on a normal turntable?
Yes, if it has a 45 rpm setting, which almost all do. Some 7-inch records have a large centre hole and need a small adapter. 78s need a turntable that supports 78 rpm.
Is an EP a vinyl record?
Yes. In the vinyl era, EPs were 7-inch vinyl discs. Today the term also describes short digital releases, but the format began on vinyl.
How many songs are on an Indian film EP?
Usually four, two a side. Some carry three, or include an instrumental. The track list is on the label and, for picture-sleeve EPs, on the back of the sleeve.
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45 rpm and 7-inch EPs · 1960s Hindi film LPs · 1970s Hindi film LPs · Old records for sale
See also: gramophone records · record grading guide · how to clean vinyl records