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Introduction set for year-end in test markets; library of 200-300 pieces is expected
MCA and Philips Corp. continue to gear up for the domestic introduction late this year of their
video-disk system, but both companies are keeping quiet about many of their specific plans.
The joint "Disco-Vision" marketing arrangement, in which MCA is to supply the program disks
and Philips the player, is set to kick off gradually in a few unnamed test markets. An official announcement is to
be made 30 days before the project is launched, but the companies are now downplaying the Christmas buying season as
a factor in their timing.
The player will bear the label of and be distributed by Magnavox, a Philips subsidiary, and
is to sell in the $500 range, according to Norman Glenn, senior vice president of programs and marketing for MCA.
Mr. Glenn said he plans to have a library of 200-300 disks available, about half of them carrying feature films and
the rest various how-to, educational and cultural subjects. Film titles include earlier classics such as
"Frankenstein," "Dracula" and Charlie Chaplain's comedies and such recent hits as "Jaws," "The Sting," "American
Graffiti," "Slap Shot" and "Animal House." Besides MCA/Universal titles, Mr. Glenn said other companies, including
publishing houses, will also supply product.
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Hardware.
MCA/Philips' Disco-Vision equipment. |
Feature films are to sell for about $15, while other programs such as Julia Child cooking
lessons, National Football League games and Jacques Cousteau documentaries will go for $6-$10, Mr. Glenn said, with
opera and other programs of more limited appeal selling at slightly higher prices.
MCA and Philips will not reveal the number of players to be made available in the regional
test markets, although some reports indicate 20,000 or so. Presumably the readings of consumer preferences gained
in those markets will be as important to the project as immediate sales. "When you face a long-term market
development," said Philips Vice President Robert T. Cavanaugh, "you do it very carefully."
Indeed, the Disco-Vision system was first demonstrated at least six years ago, and some
sources familiar with the history of it and other disk systems say they'll believe a marketing announcement when
they see the product in stores.
Because of the caution being exercised in Disco-Vision's introduction, Mr. Cavanaugh declines
to give sales projections. He did say that when the disk market reaches "maturity," it is hoped that one disk player
will be sold for every three color TV sets sold. He wouldn't venture a guess as to when maturity will be reached.
The players are to be manufactured by Magnavox in Tennessee, the discs by MCA near Los Angeles.
Mr. Cavanaugh said "there will be no problem in plant capacity if it takes off," a happy problem that plagued consumer
video-tape recorders last Christmas.
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