Senior Government officials, company bosses and computer businessmen were among those treated last week to a glimpse of the latest in home entertainment -- compact disc-interactive (CD-I).

Demonstrations were held by Bermuda-based Five Rings Ltd., which provides computer software for CD-I, in conjunction with giant electronics firm Philips.

Among those attending were Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul, Telecommunications Minister the Hon. Mike Winfield and former Government Senate leader the Hon. Charles Collis.

Philips launched the world's first CD-I player, which is a cross between a video cassette player and a music CD player, in October 1991 and, since then, the firm has sold more than 100,000 worldwide.

A CD-I disc looks like a conventional music CD but instead of holding only sound, it stores a mix of sound, images (both still and moving), text, data and graphics -- all of them under the user's control.

With the advent of portable CD-I players and an improvement in technology to allow motion pictures of up to 72 minutes in length to be shown, the future of CD-I is looking bright, said Ms Linda Olsen, a regional sales manager for Philips Consumer Electronics.

"We're selling well over 4,000 players a week, both to the consumer and for professional applications,'' she said.

The growth of CD-I is expected to be similar to that of audio compact discs, said Ms Olsen.

"We expect that the player sales will be double this year and will then triple that figure in 1994,'' she added. "As we have said all along, mass market breakthrough is expected in 1995/96. The key issue is the attractivity of the titles.'' The main thrust of the local demonstration was to show off CD-I's increased capacity for handling motion pictures.

"Philips will have the first capability in the marketplace to show motion pictures up to 72 minutes in length by Christmas,'' she said. "This is a very exciting breakthrough.'' One of the possibilities of the breakthrough is that motion pictures may be released on CD-I with a choice of several different endings for the CD-I user to select from.

Despite the potential for movies, Philips intends initially to concentrate on music discs, which are expected to have a higher turn-over among the public.

Bermuda-based Five Rings is 40-percent owned by Mr. Rick Morbey, with other shareholders including Lynn and Peter Matcham, of Matchan & Matcham; Mr. Ian Marshall, of BermudaSound; Mr. James Pearman, Mr. David Gutteridge and video firm Panatel VDS.

Mr. Morbey said: "After years of research and little or no income, we're finally making some headway. The response we've had locally regarding CD-I has been very enthusiastic. I'm really excited about the future.'' RVOLUTIONISING HOME ENTERTAINMENT -- Philips sales manager Ms Linda Olsen shows off a portable and full-size CD-I player.