Lost in DVD Space

Looking to expand the market for fledgling DVD technology, New Line Home Video plans to release in October a digital versatile disc that for the first time takes advantage of the format’s PC capabilities.

New Line hopes to start a new category for DVD with “Lost in Space,” which is designed to appeal to those who own a PC with a DVD-ROM drive. The movie, which works both on a DVD-ROM and on a DVD player, will be available Oct. 6 for $24.98.

Until now, DVD titles released by major studios have fallen into two camps: director’s cuts with extra material including audio clips and deleted scenes; or catalog titles that feature the movie only. DVDs, which look like CDs, can hold seven to 25 times more information and thus provide clearer pictures and better sound.

“It’s time someone concentrated on the DVD-ROM market,” said Donald Evans, marketing manager for New Line Home Video. “This allows the format to grow. We’re committed to making DVD the movie format of the future.”

“Lost in Space” will feature links to the movie’s Web site, which is saved on the disc so users don’t have to wait for it to download. It also allows users to print out the script, or to view the film scene by scene. Viewers can also play several video games; and view theatrical trailers, cast biographies, deleted scenes and music videos.

With the falling prices of PCs, DVD-ROM sales are expected to grow much faster than DVD player sales. About 1.2 million DVD players will be sold worldwide this year, rising to about 2.8 million in 1999, said Ted Pine, president of market research firm Infotech.

By contrast, about 6.5 million PCs with DVD-ROM drives will be sold worldwide this year, rising to about 21.9 million in 1999, Pine said. Studios are hoping that capitalizing on DVD-ROM sales will help jump-start the DVD market, which hasn’t been as profitable as the industry expected. They also hope it will extend the life of their films.