New Disc Player Uses TV for Computer Games

NEW YORK —  Commodore International Ltd. announced a new interactive home entertainment and education system Thursday that provides reference tools, games and other features on an ordinary TV.

The computer company says the $999 device combines many of the features of home computers, video game machines and compact disc music players.

The device marks a comeback of sorts for Nolan Bushnell, the founder of game pioneer Atari who now works for Commodore.

The CDTV Interactive Multimedia player looks like a home compact disc player and can play ordinary music CDs. But it is designed to be hooked up to a TV and play special CDs containing games, encyclopedias and other programs. Though software for home computers offers similar games and educational tools, Commodore says no such product exists for general consumers.