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WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

#1
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Here is a current Disney press release with some title announcements:

WDSHE Expands Blu-ray Line-Up with First Platinum Blu-ray Release, BD-Live and Full Motion Picture-in-Picture

Also Announces the Extension of Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour

Burbank, CA , January 4, 2008 – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) announces an exciting new line-up of Blu-ray initiatives in 2008, an ever-expanding Blu-ray slate and new technological-advancements in bonus feature materials, all which guarantee a superior high-definition home entertainment experience.

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For the first time ever, WDSHE will begin releasing its treasured animated classics on Platinum Edition Blu-ray Disc™ launching with Sleeping Beauty in the fall of 2008. Taking advantage of the numerous technological advancements of the Blu-ray format, these all time favorites have been revitalized to include exceptional high-definition picture and sound quality and compelling interactive content such as virtual games, full motion picture-in-picture and online shopping capabilities via BD-Live broadband connection.



Sleeping Beauty will be WDSHE's first Platinum Edition Blu-ray Disc and will feature a Virtual Castle, utilizing the new BD-Live technology, as well as the interactive game Maleficent's Challenge which puts viewers face-to-face with one of Disney's greatest villains.
Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc will also feature an all-new enhanced home theater mix in 7.1 surround sound.



Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo Blu-ray Disc will debut the first Cine-Explore featuring full motion picture-in-picture (BonusView). This interactive visual commentary with director Andrew Stanton, co-writer Bob Peterson and co-director Lee Unkrich allows the viewer to dive deeper into the making of Finding Nemo without ever leaving the film. For kids and families, there is the all-new BD-Java enabled learning mode "Mr. Ray's Ed-venture." Hosted by Dory, Marlin and of course Mr. Ray, viewers will learn all about sea life and have the opportunity to earn stickers for their virtual sticker book by answering "quizlettes" while watching the movie. Viewers can also go to their sticker book at any time and create their own scene. Finding Nemo will also feature an all-new enhanced home theater mix in 7.1 surround sound.



As part of its continued worldwide Blu-ray release strategy, WDSHE will be announcing the addition of many exciting movie titles to their 2008 Blu-ray line-up in North America, Europe and Asia.



In North America, WDSHE will be releasing new theatrical titles to Blu-ray Disc day-and-date with DVD including The Game Plan (Walt Disney Pictures) on January 22; Gone Baby Gone and Becoming Jane (both Miramax) on February 12; and Dan In Real Life (Touchstone Pictures) on March 11. WDSHE will expand its catalogue titles on Blu-ray Disc with the releases of The Rock (Hollywood Pictures) and Con Air (Touchstone Pictures) on January 8; Crimson Tide (Hollywood Pictures) on February 5; The Rookie (Walt Disney Pictures) on March 4; Hidalgo (Touchstone Pictures), Coyote Ugly: The Double Shot Edition (Touchstone Pictures), Unbreakable (Touchstone Pictures), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Walt Disney Pictures) and National Treasure: Collector's Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in spring 2008.



In Europe/Australia, WDSHE will roll out Blu-ray Discs in 2008 beginning with The Recruit (Touchstone Pictures) in January; and Dark Water (Touchstone Pictures) in February; Underdog (Walt Disney Pictures) and Starsky & Hutch (Buena Vista) in February; Coyote Ugly (Touchstone Pictures) and The Rookie (Walt Disney Pictures) in March; Hidalgo (Touchstone Pictures) and Gone Baby Gone (Miramax) in April; Signs (Touchstone Pictures), There Will Be Blood (Miramax), Shall We Dance (Miramax), Ladder 49 (Touchstone Pictures), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Walt Disney Pictures) and National Treasure: Collector's Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in May; and The Game Plan (Walt Disney Pictures) and Unbreakable (Touchstone Pictures) in summer 2008.



Japan will see WDSHE release Blu-ray titles starting with Hollywoodland (Miramax) in February; The Rookie (Walt Disney Pictures), Hidalgo (Touchstone Pictures), Meet The Robinsons (Walt Disney Pictures), and Starsky & Hutch (Buena Vista) in April; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Walt Disney Pictures), Coyote Ugly (Touchstone Pictures) and National Treasure: Collector's Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in May; and Unbreakable (Touchstone Pictures) and Signs (Touchstone Pictures) in summer 2008.



Following overwhelming consumer response WDSHE is also announcing the extension of Disney's Magical Blu-ray Tour, sponsored by Panasonic, to eight additional North American cities. The first stop will be to Toronto, Canada the weekend of January 25th and continue on to Nashville, Denver, Dallas, Raleigh-Durham, Hartford and conclude with Chicago at Unity 2008 in July.



The results of the 2007 tour not only reaffirmed consumers continued desires for high-definition picture without compromise but reaffirmed the need to be educated on how to achieve the ultimate high-definition home entertainment experience beyond just owning an HDTV.

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#2
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

I am pleased to see the BD tour extended. As it looks like we will have one format in hte next few months, there needs to be a greater focus on letting the public see and hear the difference between HD and DVD.
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#3
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Nice! Thanks for the update, Adam!

I can't wait to see more PIXAR films on Blu-Ray, and now with Sleeping Beauty on Blu-Ray coming, that means the rest of the great Disney classics should be coming soon!

Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, etc.
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#4
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Is Disney "vaulting" their Blu Ray releases -- releasing titles serially for a short period and then pulling them out of production for a while?
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#5
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveF
Is Disney "vaulting" their Blu Ray releases -- releasing titles serially for a short period and then pulling them out of production for a while?
I believe that Disney usually keeps those titles on sale for at least a year or so and then will pull them. And I don't think any of the releases (maybe Cars or Ratatouille will?) they've had yet really fall under the 'Vault' category.

No doubt that when it happens, you'll hear about it and have time to pick up copies.
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#6
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Dave,

I'm sure they will. That has nothing to do with "format" (ie, they did that with laserdisc, VHS, and DVD regardless).

I'm PSYCHED to get Finding Nemo on Blu-ray... with 24-bit lossless sound (as Disney always does). AWESOME NEWS.
Be an Original Aspect Ratio Advocate

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#7
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

I don't think they have ever vaulted Pixar titles. I wouldn't be surprised to eventually see them do it with BD, but it may take them longer since they will want titles available as customers start migrating from DVD.
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#8
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet
Dave,

I'm sure they will. That has nothing to do with "format" (ie, they did that with laserdisc, VHS, and DVD regardless).

I'm PSYCHED to get Finding Nemo on Blu-ray... with 24-bit lossless sound (as Disney always does). AWESOME NEWS.
I was thinking they might not "vault" BR discs until they are mainstream.
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#9
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

that every territory but the U.S. gets Signs

* No longer looking for Hi-Vision Laserdiscs *
(I buried that format)

www.16cylinder.com
www.jet-x.com

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#10
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich
I don't think they have ever vaulted Pixar titles.
I remember the original Toy Story DVD going for a nice penny before the 10th anniversary re-release.
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#11
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

I wonder if Crimson Tide will be the theatrical cut or the unrated extended cut. I hope it's the former.

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

www.myspace.com/macphoen

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#12
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Disappointed to see Signs and There Will Be Blood not on the North America list. I'm really excited about Sleeping Beauty, however I'm not sure about Finding Nemo. I've already watched it so many times with the kids I can't imagine watching it in the home theater. Unless I get a BD player for downstairs... *ding ding ding*

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
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#13
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich
Here is a current Disney press release with some title announcements:
Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Disc will also feature an all-new enhanced home theater mix in 7.1 surround sound.

Don't like the sound of this. The original theatrical release was 6 channel mag stereo. How are they going to accomplish this? We all know what happened with some of the "enhanced" home theater mixes.

STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!

My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray

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#14
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

So far Disney has had a good track record of also providing original sound mixes on their DVDs with "enhanced" tracks. Let's hope we get the original mix for Sleeping Beauty... in lossless 24-bit.
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#15
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris S
Disappointed to see Signs and There Will Be Blood not on the North America list.

I don't know how accurate this list is since we've already seen the release announcement for No Country For Old Men on BD in March, yet it's not mentioneded on this list. Since that title has the same company behind them (Paramount Vantage/Miramax) as There Will Be Blood, I would expect it to have a BD release in North America around the same time.

If that's winds up not being the case, I'm going to be extremely pissed. There's absolutely no reason why there shouldn't be a BD release that's day/date with the SD release.
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#16
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

I'm really looking forward to The Chronicles Of Narnia, Unbreakable and Finding Nemo on Blu.
Recently watched- The Matrix Reloaded[BD], Underworld[BD], Crimson Tide, Rock N Rolla[BD], Enemy Of The State, Masters Of Horror: Season 1 - Vol. 4[BD]

Currently watching- Riptide: Season 2, Rome: The Complete Series[BD], Adventures Of Superman: Season 1
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#17
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Colella
I don't know how accurate this list is since we've already seen the release announcement for No Country For Old Men on BD in March, yet it's not mentioneded on this list. Since that title has the same company behind them (Paramount Vantage/Miramax) as There Will Be Blood, I would expect it to have a BD release in North America around the same time.

That's good to know. I had heard No Country For Old Men had been announced but I hadn't tied it to a WDSHE release. Of course that may be the reason that it wasn't mentioned in this list. Also if the overseas distributor for There Will Be Blood is more closely related to WD that could be reason for it not to be included on the NA list.

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
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#18
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

I don't see "Tron" in there anywhere :/
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#19
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Matthew,
Your concerns aren't unfounded in regards to the "Enhanced mixes" for some of Disney's dvd's.
I think "The Lion King" was their first and best DEHT to date. The worst was "Mary Poppins" but I partially blame Warner Bro's for that, because they did the mixes, not Disney. It is Disney's responsibility though to say that this doesn't meet our standards for a DEHT mix...and they didn't.

I wouldn't worry about "Sleeping Beauty" in 7.1 because Disney spent a lot of time and money doing this one right. Using not only the best elements available but the best personnel available too. I can't say much more about it since I haven't seen the feature in 7.1 but I will bet that you will be very pleased with this new "Enhanced Mix".

Disney (almost) always puts the original soundtrack along with their "Enhanced" versions.

David B.
I also hope for 24bit Lossless audio on this title. Even if it's Dolby True-HD instead of PCM. They may need the space since there is also a French 7.1 track going on the disc I believe.

This will be a quality disc no doubt. Disney's first Platinum BD release should be special indeed.
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#20
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Was there any word on a release date for Nemo?

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#21
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Roogs!

Sigh, how satisfying to read a post like this from you. Thank-you! Please put in a word to wheover you can that, as great as that new 7.1 DEHT mix might be, to present the original mix (with its original EQ in tact and no noise reduction) in lossless form as well. TrueHD is just fine... and hopefully Disney will not put Dialog Normalization needlessly on a lossless/reference-primary track.

Quote:
The worst was "Mary Poppins" but I partially blame Warner Bro's for that, because they did the mixes, not Disney. It is Disney's responsibility though to say that this doesn't meet our standards for a DEHT mix...and they didn't.

Warner? Now it makes sense... But how any Disney person with 2 ears could have let that one hit the store shelves sounding the way it did is beyond me. Perhaps they were in the habit of listening to their speaker monitors wrapped with thick towels, and so didn't realize that all the naturalness and high-frequency detail had been filtered away from Julie's voice...

dave
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#22
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

Don't know how that could have happened with "Mary Poppins" either. But it deserved the worst soundtrack of the year award that this site so lovenly bestowed on that title.

Hopefully Disney learned from it's mitake and we won't have that problem again.
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#23
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

So the audio for Sleeping Beauty should be fine. I just hope they don't screw with the colors like they've become so fond of doing lately.

STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!

My DVD List at DVD Aficionado, Now Featuring Blu-Ray

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#24
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Re: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT ROLLS INTO 2008 WITH BLU-RAY™

According to Engadget, at the DBA press conference today Bob Chapek mentioned an October release for Sleeping Beauty.

DVD & Blu-ray - It's all about the movies!
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