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Ilia IN'd and iti.uk IimIu\. March 2. 1979
Pa nr :t
VERSATILE VIDEO DISK
May alter entertainment industry
By BEN FUGITT
Entertainment editor
Last Christmas, something
happened that may well
change the face of motion
picture entertainment and the
record industry forever
In Atlanta, the first Phillips-
MCA Magnavision videodisc
players went on sale for $695
and they were promptly
snapped up. People stood in
lines for hours Hundreds paid
in advance for players that
could not be delivered for
months
The demand was such that
some of the first owners were
offered upwards of $3000 for a
single set.
Why? First, let’s take a look
at these players. They resem
ble, for all practical purposes,
current record players. But.
there all similarities end.
The videodisc you spin on
this contraption reproduces
pictures as well as sounds—
with excellent fidelity There is
no record wear because the
player reads the disc optically
Scratches don’t show
Currently there are 120 films
on videodiscs, ranging from
multiple album sets of movies
like Psycho. The Sting. Ameri
can Graffiti— which cost $15.95
each-and shorter films like
the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup,
and selected TV episodes like
“Kojak” for $9 95
It is quite possible this inno
vation will entirely alter the
way movies are marketed. A
lot of people in the film
industry would like to see
videodiscs replace theatres
The videodisc, you see. would
mean more profits for the
industry, because no money
need pass through any middle
men.
Within the next decade,
movies may go ‘‘Platinum’’ or
, “Gold,’’ just as records do
today Grosses may be figured
from the number of copies sold
instead of the number of box
office receipts
The videodisc can be run
backwards, forwards, and at
several different speeds. A
big screen attachment will
soon be available as well.
The videodisc is not only a
major threat to theatres, but
also to the record industry
Who wants to just listen to the
Rolling Stones when for two
bucks more you can listen
to-and see them.
MCA is already promoting a
Discovision videodisc of an
Elton John concert produced
especially for videodisc sale
When the sound is channeled
through stereo amplifiers—you
have got something that beats
Elton's Here and There to a
bloody pulp
Such a disc would run about
$10—only slightly more than
current albums If you thought
movies made money last
year—record industry grosses
were even more astronomical.
There is a vast market out
there for rock videodiscs
The fifth member of a
possibly re-united Beatles (ha.
ha) may well be a good
filmmaker -someone who can
provide visual accompaniment
to the music
But the possible impact of
the videodisc doesn't end
there. Theoretically, because
the disc can hold 60 billion-
yes. 60 BILLION binary bits of
information, it makes possible
inexpensive mass reproduction
of anything that now appears
on film. tape, or paper from
The Atlanta Constitution. 1892-
1946 to Encyclopedia Hritan-
nica.
Does it sound silly, far
fetched'' Well, they laughed at
the idea of talking movies, too
Caught any good silents lately?
States *Brlef 5
Jury may indict aide
ATLANTA (CPI)—A federal grand jury in Washington.
D.C . was reported today to be ready to indict Daniel
Minchew. onetime top aide to .Sen Herman Talmadge.
D-Ga., on charges of embezzlement
The Atlanta Constitution quoted Justice Department
sources in a Washington dispatch that an indictment of
Minchew is expected before March 26—the day a
five-year statute of limitations expires on a key piece of
evidence on charges of financial misdeeds against
Talmadge
Minchew is a key witness against the veteran Georgia
senator in the accusations brought against Talmadge by
the Senate Ethics Committee Minchew has charged
Talmadge directed him to open a secret checking account
in a Washington bank and that $39,000 in campaign funds
and Senate expense checks was funneled through the
account.
Talmadge has denied knowledge of the account.
MARTA raises rates
ALTLANTA < CPI)—Atlanta bus riders paid their last 15
cents bus fare Wednesday night.
At midnight Wednesday, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid
Transit Authority fares jumped to 25 cents, stripping the
capitol city of its seven-year title as the city having the
lowest bus fare in the nation. The increase marks the first
fare hike by MARTA since the public transit authority
bought the old, privately-owned Atlanta Transit System in
1972"
Transit officials predicted a smooth transition, with
most riders aware they will have to hand over 25 cents
when boarding a bus. They said the fare increase has
gotten wide publicity
‘‘I don’t see much problem,” said Tom Duvall,
MARTA’s transportation chief He said fareboxes will be
plastered with a decal reminding passengers of the new
rate.
Atlanta students, the elderly and handicapped riders,
however, will continue to get a break on the fare
PIZZERIA AND DELI
si!
"ATHENS HOLDS WHAT MUST til. A
KK( OKI) FOR GREATEST NUMBER
OF PIZZA PARLORS. BIT SONS 01 ITALY
LS STII1 THE BEST."
—Atlanta Journal
NEW YORK STYLE NKOROIJTAN PIZZA CITDCD PANT
WHOLE WHEAT OUST nillVIDV
OVEN BAKED Sl’BS V T.K I
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Attention
Fraternities
and Sororities
Our 4x6 pictures can save you up to $3,000
or more a year!
f
We use Kodak paper
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r
Jhe picture man;
P.O. BOX 1852 ATHENS. GEORGIA 30603
(404)353 7565
( .0 Of
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175 East Clayton
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