Lawrence B. Johnson

G<I>lenn Close, Julianne Moore, Liv Tyler, Chris O'Donnell, Charles S. Dutton, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty, Courtney B. Vance, Donald Moffat, Lyle Lovett, Danny Durst. Directed by Robert Altman. Aspect ratios: 1.85:1 (widescreen), 1.33:1 (pan&scan). Dolby Digital 5.1. 118 minutes. 1999. USA Home Entertainment 0518. PG-13. $24.98.</I>

C<I>harlize Theron, Bill Paxton, David Paymer, Regina King, Rade Sherbedgia, Peter Firth. Directed by Ron Underwood. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (letterbox). Dolby Digital 5.1. 114 minutes. 1998. Walt Disney 16538. PG. $24.98.</I>

B<I>urt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, Jeanne Moreau. Directed by John Frankenheimer. Aspect ratio: 1.37:1 (black & white). Dolby Digital monaural. 133 minutes. 1964. MGM 907539. Not rated. $19.98.</I>

With the reality of digital television now almost within our grasp, manufacturers of big-screen sets must feel like sky-divers in free fall. Until the 'chute opens with the snap of digital displays finally hitting the stores, the market for large, expensive, conventional rear-projection models might appear to be controlled by nothing but the force of gravity. In a highly unscientific survey, I asked a few dealers around the country whether big-screen television sales were down and whether consumers seemed to be waiting for the coming of the first digital sets. The answer to both questions was a uniform and unequivocal yes.