Sony, Philips Still Believe in Disc Formats

Last fall, with the introduction of two new digital formats for playing and recording music--Sony’s mini-disc (MD) and Philips’ digital compact cassette (DCC)--the question was which would be the winner.

Six months later, the answer is that both are losers. Neither retailers nor the manufacturers are trying to hide the fact that these formats have done only a trickle of business.

Both the mini-disc, a small disk that can play and record, and the DCC offer sound that’s near-CD quality. The MD machines are portables while the DCC is available as a home deck only. A big attraction of the MD is that it’s supposedly skip-proof (actually, it doesn’t skip as much as a portable CD player, but it does skip at times if jostled firmly). The major selling point of DCC is that the machine can also play standard cassettes.

The main reason these formats haven’t lured consumers is because they’re too expensive. A DCC deck sells for $800 while a recordable MD goes for about $750. That’s not all. To take full advantage of either format, you have to buy all new software--an unattractive notion in this struggling economy.

What’s more, neither machine offers anything special. CDs still sound better.

Since the machines haven’t been selling, neither is the software. In fact, stores that stock DCC and mini-disc software--priced roughly in the $14-$16 range--often don’t make it accessible. Some retailers put the software behind counters or away from heavy traffic.

Nor, for that matter, are MD and DCC machines being given primary spots in audio-video outlets. You can’t blame retailers for not pushing products that aren’t selling, but such marketing practices have hampered sales.

The backers of these formats aren’t ready to toss in the towel. A DCC portable is due later this year, along with more MD machines--car units and a boombox. You have to wonder, though, how long the backers will tolerate slow sales before backing out of the format wars.

Among New Releases:

“Used People” (FoxVideo, $95). In late-’60s New York, a cynical Jewish widow (Shirley MacLaine) is romanced by an affable Italian (Marcello Mastroianni) in this feel-good comedy/drama. Dubbed “Moonstruck” set in a Jewish community, it’s very mild entertainment cluttered with ethnic stereotypes. A waste of a great cast, which also includes Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy and Sylvia Sydney.

“Hoffa” (FoxVideo, $95). Three heavyweights--Jack Nicholson in the title role, director-co-star Danny DeVito and screenwriter David Mamet--collaborate on can’t-miss material. The result: one of last year’s biggest misfires. Nicholson’s performance is on one noisy note. Also, there’s just a sketchy, uninvolving story about the dynamic Teamster boss and his epic struggles with gangsters and the government.

“Toys” (FoxVideo, $95). Even hard-core fans of Robin Williams will struggle through this chaotic, labored, big-budget fantasy. More lost than zany, Williams plays an idealist who wrests the family toy business from his evil, militaristic uncle. Visually a feast, but a famine on every other level.

“Hallelujah” (MGM/UA, 1929, $20). Like “The Green Pastures” from 1936, this is a big-studio movie with an all-black cast, including Daniel Haynes and Nina Mae McKinney. About a sinful Southern black preacher, this overripe melodrama is another example of how Hollywood viewed blacks in the early days of talkies. If you can stand the racist stereotypes, it’s an interesting piece of history.

Upcoming:

Just announced: MCA/Universal’s “Scent of a Woman,” featuring Al Pacino’s Oscar-winning performance, is due July 28.

Also: “Howards End” (Wednesday); “Forever Young” (June 9); “Body of Evidence,” “Damage,” and “The Lover” (June 16); “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and “Jennifer 8” (June 23); “A Few Good Men,” “Leap of Faith” and “Matinee” (June 30); and “Unforgiven” and “The Crying Game” (July 7). “The Bodyguard,” “Lorenzo’s Oil,” and “Teenage Mutant Turtles III” (July 14).

Videobits:

Distributor sources say that Orion Video is planning to release a four-hour version of the formerly three-hour “Dances With Wolves,” perhaps this year. But will the millions who already own a copy want to see more of this Oscar-winning Western? It was available last Christmas for $8 as part of a McDonald’s promotion and was released to video outlets in March at $15. It’s been doing brisk business at the higher price, appealing to the movie’s fans who don’t do their video shopping at fast-food restaurants.

But if you like a video with your hamburger, McDonald’s will be offering some Paramount movies for $6 this holiday season: “Wayne’s World,” “Ghost” and “Addams Family.” Naturally video retailers hate these promotions because it cuts into their business--particularly opportunities to sell used copies of the movies. To soothe the retailers, Paramount will include rebate coupons in the McDonald’s videos for the sale and rental of Paramount movies--which in theory should build traffic at video outlets.