Smart Discs

by Jim Mikles
Summer/Fall 1999

Warren Miller Ski World

DVD Multiplay format

Multicom Publishing
www.multicom.com
Powder hounds and media aficionados alike can rejoice with this title from Multicom Publishing: Warren Miller's Ski World. Taking full advantage of the versatility of DVD, these titles feature on the same disc interactivity for both consumer set-top DVD-Video and computer-based DVD-ROM platforms.

Anyone who's ever seen one of the dozens of Warren Miller flicks available will be familiar with the adrenaline-spurring combination of harrowing descents, deep powder bashing, insane airborne maneuvers, heart-stopping crashes and heart-pounding music that makes a killer ski and snowboard video. Ski World is more than your typical Miller fare, however, offering ski lessons, an interactive resort locator to find over 700 resorts, links to related Internet sites and a ski trivia game. As testament to the versatility of the DVD format, both consumer set-top and computer DVD-ROM content is included on the same disc. The set-top version includes the ski lessons and skiing videos, while the interactive DVD-ROM has the interactive resort finder and links.

Dragon's Lair

Interactive DVD-video game

Digital Leisure

www.digitalleisure.com
One of the original and most popular animated video arcade games, Dragon's Lair is also one of the first video games to be successfully ported to the DVD set-top platform. It makes sense since the original was played from a laserdisc. Video gamers from the early 1980s will recall how the game works: Dirk the Daring faces more than two dozen evil and potentially deadly obstacles in his quest to save the beautiful Fair Princess Daphne from the clutches of Singe the Evil Dragon. When Dirk faces a perilous situation, the player is prompted to make a "move" using the remote control of the DVD player. Moves are simple: jump right, left, front, back or use the sword. Like its arcade brethren, the game is about correct choices and correct timing. It might sound simple, but it takes longer than one might think to solve each puzzle. With incredibly vivid character animation by Don Bluth and remastered for DVD by Digital Leisure of Ontario, Canada, Dragon's Lair for DVD-Video is a highly compelling rendition of an arcade classic.

Mickey Hart--Planet Drum

Indoscrub

DVD music video

Rykodisc

www.rykodisc.com
While "enhanced" music CDs are becoming increasingly popular, they require a computer with a CD-ROM to get their full value. DVD-video provides a high-quality multimedia music solution to the TV. The folks at Palm Pictures and Rykodisk are some of the early innovative entrants in this category, bringing Third World beats and themes together on a variety of titles, including Indoscrub, best described as progressive percussion by former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and a backup entourage Planet Drum. Music fans will appreciate this percussion treat accompanied by a stirring video commentary.

Tender Loving Care

DVD-ROM Interactive Movie

Aftermath Media

www.aftermathmedia.com
A nurse moves in with a young couple to help out after the wife suffers a breakdown following the death of their daughter. The husband falls for the nurse and things snowball from there. How does this sensuous psycho-thriller end-up? That all depends on the decisions you, the viewer/player make. There are more than 100 possible endings. You can't help but be drawn into this innovative and interactive media experience.