Sharper Images

THE SOUND: For the picky, it's DVD's Achilles' heel. Due to so-called compression technology, DVDs' six-channel AC-3 audio tracks (also available on many laser titles) can sound unnaturally brittle, especially the dialogue channels (a prime offender: the visually stunning Batman Forever). And that's the impression it makes with a fancy-schmancy new AC-3 audio receiver, $600 and up, to decode the digital info. Otherwise you get an even weaker-sounding two-channel output. If you only use TV speakers, DVDs sound fine, but, by and large, laserdiscs still offer superior audio.

THE PROSPECTS: Mixed. With Warner and related labels leading the charge, there should be close to 200 titles available by year's end. But major questions remain: Will disc prices stay this low? And how quickly will digital TVs and digital VCRs offer an even higher-quality image? Still, if you want dynamite picture quality now, consider DVDs your Digital Valhalla Discs.

NOW PLAYING
Among the 120 DVD titles already on sale at most Tower Video, Virgin Megastore, and Best Buy stores, or for rent at selected Blockbusters are:

Animation Greats!
The Birdcage
Blade Runner
Bonnie and Clyde
Dumb and Dumber
Fly Away Home
GoldenEye
GoodFellas
In the Line of Fire
JFK
Jumanji
Legends of the Fall
Mars Attacks!
The Player
Species
Strangers on a Train
The Wild Bunch