You bought that digital video disc player, and have been not-so-patiently waiting for the discs to arrive so you could view super-crisp flicks on a machine hyped as the replacement for the video cassette recorder. Digital video disc
movies are here!The wait is over, though the pickings are still slim. Only about 100 movies are scheduled for release by year end for rent or purchase, with prices ranging from $20 to $25 each. (Several major studios haven't even announced their DVD movies .)
Long's Audio/Video of Hawaii Kai (not affiliated with Longs Drugs Stores) is the first retailer in Hawaii to sell the movie software, including "Space Jam," "Batman," "Blade Runner," "The Bodyguard," "Bridges of Madison County," "Eraser," "The Fugitive," "Get Shorty," "Raging Bull," "Streetcar Named Desire," "Twister," "Unforgiven" and "The Wizard of Oz."
The futuristic discs are the size of compact discs, yet hold enough data to play a full-length movie in crisp images far more vibrant than videotape. Flipping around is as easy as with a CD. Press a button and the dialogue can be switched from English to Spanish to Chinese, or other languages. Another button can cuts offensive material making films suitable for the whole family.
Panasonic's two DVD players -- $600 and $1,000 -- were the first models in Hawaii stores in January. Sony, which has the advantage of owning movie studios, plans to release its $900 DVD model in April with four free software titles: "In the Line of Fire," "Fly Away Home," a Tony Bennett concert and a Sesame Street special.
Warner Bros. has just released 35 movies in the new format and Columbia Tristar will release four titles at the end of the month.
Long's Audio/Video is at 7192 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite D-214. For information call 395-1973 or 395-6576.
By Tim Ryan, Star-Bulletin