DVD titles take another babystep.................
widebandmag.com
July 29, 1997
[ÿNewsÿ|ÿQ&A |ÿPast Digital Dailiesÿ]
DVD Software Takes Babysteps In The Right Direction
After three months of DVD hardware availability, there's some new movement in the DVD software front. According to VideoScan, consumers have purchased a total of 95,000 DVDs this year. In retaliation to this number, software companies are beginning to see the profit light at the end of the DVD tunnel, highlighted particularly by Polygram's recent announcement to increase DVD outputs by at least 20 titles from originally planned 10-20. Although Columbia TriStar Video (CTHV) is one of the few companies to have already released titles, a spokesman says it will accelerate the pace of DVD packages. This decision is said to be based on a good consumer reaction of the company's first titles released, including Fly Away Home; In the Line of Fire; Jumanji; and Legends of the Fall. CTHV also expects to release DVD version of Jerry Maguire on June 24th along with titles Sleepless in Seattle and Desperado at $24.95 each. Republic Pictures, a Viacom-affiliated studio, recently announced it hired a new executive who is expected to play a larger role in the DVD business. Subhead:It Ain't Just Movies Other suppliers entering the realm of DV include Central Park Media (CPM), which released a Japanese animation DVD in May and UAV, a South Carolina-based music and video supplier and now budget DVD label. June 30th will mark the shipping of UAV's 10 DVD titles, including catalog titles such as Night of the Living Dead; Invaders from Mars; Fists of Fury; and Red Sun--along with some newer titles. CPM released a feature in May based on a Japanese videogame. The title, Battle Arena Toshinden, is the first dual-language animated title in the DVD format. The company followed this up by signing up Image Entertainment as its distributor. New York City-based retailer Anime Crash was the first to sell this DVD title, dubbed as "Japanimation" at an SRP of $29.95, though it is being readied to sell at national retail stores such as HMV, Musicland, Tower, Trans World and Virgin. Music lovers will also be happy to know that DVD is flourishing in the music video category. Warner-affiliated labels are expected to release Alanis Morisette's "Jagged Little Pill" at an SRP of $24.98. |
