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Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

post #1 of 28
1/7/09 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 
BURBANK, Calif.—January 7, 2009 – As more and more families transition to high definition, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) concentrates its efforts on offering consumers unprecedented quality, value and portability in the purchases of their favorite Disney Blu-ray movies with the announcement of its new Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs.


Disney’s Combo Pack will be extended across an exciting new slate of Disney-branded theatrical and Platinum titles releasing on Blu-ray between February and October of 2009. Some of the upcoming Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack titles families can look forward to include the teen phenomenon High School Musical 3: Senior Year (February 17), Walt Disney’s animated classic Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition (March 10) and all those leading up to the highly anticipated release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Platinum Edition in October.


“These unique Combo Packs provide the opportunity for consumers around the world to take advantage of the quality of Blu-ray with the portability of a DVD disc in a single package, comments Bob Chapek, President of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “As always, we are committed to offering our consumers exceptional quality and value when purchasing our products.”

WDSHE first successfully introduced a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD in a single package) with the release of Sleeping Beauty’s 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition in 2008 across limited markets. The inclusion of the feature film on standard definition DVD allowed consumers without Blu-ray players to “future proof” their collections.

In addition, WDSHE North America will be packaging 14 of its hot new Blu-ray titles releasing in the U.S. and Canada with a DisneyFile digital copy of the movie for consumers to enjoy anytime, anywhere on their Mac, PC or compatible portable devices. Digital copies will be made available in both iTunes and Windows Media file formats and are set to be included with such titles as High School Musical 3: Senior Year, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Monsters Inc., and A Bugs Life.


As part of its continued worldwide Blu-ray release efforts, WDSHE is adding many exciting new titles to the line-up in North America, Europe and Asia. Titles include new theatrical releases, catalog, direct-to-video, top television series and some of America’s most requested movies.


WDSHE North America will be releasing several new theatrical titles to Blu-ray day-and-date with the DVD including Swing Vote (Touchstone Pictures) on January 13; Miracle At St. Anna (Touchstone Pictures) on February 10; High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures) on February 17; Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Pictures) on March 3; Morning Light (Walt Disney Pictures) in summer of 2009; as well as an all new direct-to-video Space Buddies (Walt Disney Pictures) on February 3.


In addition, WDSHE North America will also be expanding its Blu-ray catalog library with more than 30 exciting releases including such titles as Pretty Woman (Touchstone Pictures) on February 10; High School Musical Remix Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) on February 17; Monsters Inc. (Disney/Pixar); A Bugs Life (Disney/Pixar); Microcosmos (Miramax); Rounders 10th Anniversary Edition (Miramax); Lost: The Complete First and Second Seasons (ABC); Sin City (Miramax); Miracle (Walt Disney Pictures); Sling Blade (Miramax); The Greatest Game Ever Played (Walt Disney Pictures); Pulp Fiction Special Edition (Miramax); Good Will Hunting Special Edition (Miramax) and many more to follow in 2009.


In Europe/Australia, WDSHE will roll-out the following Blu-ray titles beginning with Space Buddies (Walt Disney Pictures) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures) in February; Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in March and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Pictures) in April; and Monsters Inc. (Disney/Pixar) sometime in 2009.


Japan will see the following WDSHE Blu-ray releases starting with Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition (Walt Disney Pictures) in March; Tinker Bell (Walt Disney Pictures) and WALL-E (Disney/Pixar) in April; and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Walt Disney Pictures), Monsters Inc. (Disney/Pixar) and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (Walt Disney Pictures) to follow at later dates.
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post #2 of 28
1/7/09 at 2:52pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Disney did the combo thing with vhs and dvd in the early days, didn't they? I remember it when Beauty and the Beast was released.
I only wish they would've done the dvd/Blu-Ray combination with Wall-E.
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post #3 of 28
1/7/09 at 6:39pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

I second that, but I'm not complaining about the titles being offered so far. All three will wind up in my home @ some point.
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post #4 of 28
1/7/09 at 6:44pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Good to see this happening as a trend/policy now although I wonder how much of a (hidden) price premium we'll be paying for it.

Also, wonder if Disney will continue/expand the $10 rebate offer they've been testing w/ certain catalog titles, especially those that they might deem not worthy of doing the BD/DVD combo.

_Man_
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post #5 of 28
1/9/09 at 7:50am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Nice. If they're gonna include a second disc, screw the stupid time-limited digital copies for 2-inch iPod screens and give us DVDs for the bedroom TV!
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post #6 of 28
1/9/09 at 10:17am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

So far it seems that they are only doing this with animated BDs. I would like to see them start to include the DVDs with more new release titles.
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post #7 of 28
1/9/09 at 3:37pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Only if you consider the characters in HSM3 to be two-dimensional cartoons.
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post #8 of 28
1/10/09 at 3:25am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

HSM 3 will be an interesting case, as Disney is doing both a DVD and a digital copy with the Blu-ray. I wonder if it will be (a) one release with both included, (b) one with DVD and one with digital copy, or (c) one with DVD and one with DVD and digital copy. I think if they do either (b) or (c) that DVD will cream digital copy. Just a hunch.
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post #9 of 28
1/11/09 at 10:35am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

They should consider doing this for Beautiful Girls. There's a lot of Roadies I've talked to who haven't seen this film (which "October Road" is based off of). I hadn't seen this indie myself until a year ago when Netflix still had this available to rent and even then, there was a long waiting list. And look no further then the high demand here.

"October Road" attracted audiences of all generations, both men and women, and has international appeal. Some I know have (like myself) made the transition to high-def, or will eventually in time which is the whole point of these combo packs.

And with "Life on Mars" putting this series back into the spotlight (it exists in the same fictional universe) and a continuously growing fan base for the prior ABC series, this would be a great opportunity for this studio.
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post #10 of 28
1/14/09 at 11:31am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan Beckman
HSM 3 will be an interesting case, as Disney is doing both a DVD and a digital copy with the Blu-ray. I wonder if it will be (a) one release with both included, (b) one with DVD and one with digital copy, or (c) one with DVD and one with DVD and digital copy. I think if they do either (b) or (c) that DVD will cream digital copy. Just a hunch.
The cover art is up at thedigitalbits.com and shows both DVD and digital copy in the same package. Whether that means 4 discs or 3, I don't know. Disney double dipped on both HSM and HSM2; I wouldn't be shocked if they did the same with HSM3.
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post #11 of 28
1/15/09 at 2:55pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

I think it's a great idea. I missed out on getting WALL-E on Blu-Ray because my wife wanted to be able to make it playable on all of our televisions instead of the one with the Blu-Ray. I rented the BR from Netflix and wanted to cry when I saw how beautiful it looked. Thankfully, SLEEPING BEAUTY had the DVD. It will definitely make the case for buying PINOCCHIO on BR a little stronger.
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post #12 of 28
1/15/09 at 3:10pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

This is precisely why I held off on Wall*E until I have a BD player (looking like tax return time, as I need to get an HDMI receiver as well). Sleeping Beauty was a no-brainer, and was easily explained to my wife: "We can watch the DVD version now, and we'll already have the BD version for when we get our player."
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post #13 of 28
1/28/09 at 10:24am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go. This time our work brings you a first look at Disney's big Platinum Edition Blu-ray Disc this fall. This cover for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, viewable by clicking through the disc details below, is likely identical to what you'll find on store shelves later this year.

Disney has yet to formally release the final cover art with full disc specs so naturally what you see is subject to change. It does fit in nicely with the Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio Platinum Edition Blu-rays, doesn't it?
Current rumors point towards an October 6 release date for Snow White on Blu-ray.
First Look: Snow White Blu-ray Cover Art | HDR TheHDRoom
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post #14 of 28
1/28/09 at 11:00am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

I have "Sleeping Beauty" on DVD already. Why should I pay extra for a DVD copy in the BD release? I'm still waiting for the BD to come down to some reasonable price. 34.00 Canadian before PST and GST is ridiculous. It's almost Forty bucks when taxes are included.

The same applies to "Snow White" if it is being released as a BD/DVD combo. I have the Platinum version on DVD, so why should I have to shell out extra dollars for a DVD copy that I don't even need?
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post #15 of 28
1/28/09 at 2:51pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
I have "Sleeping Beauty" on DVD already. Why should I pay extra for a DVD copy in the BD release?
Somehow I doubt those fifty cents would translate into a noticeable dent in the MSRP.
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post #16 of 28
1/28/09 at 3:39pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by ATimson
Somehow I doubt those fifty cents would translate into a noticeable dent in the MSRP.

Fifty cents on the manufacturing end has nothing to do with what they decide to set the selling price at. They spend fifty extra cents and charge the consumer $5.00 or more extra at the retail end.
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post #17 of 28
1/28/09 at 3:40pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
Why should I pay extra for a DVD copy in the BD release?
I agree but I don't think the price was increased for Sleeping Beauty. It appears that Disney's MSRPs are between $35 and $40 and Sleeping Beauty falls right in that range.
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post #18 of 28
1/28/09 at 4:26pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravisR
I agree but I don't think the price was increased for Sleeping Beauty. It appears that Disney's MSRPs are between $35 and $40 and Sleeping Beauty falls right in that range.

Yes. Actually, I believe you are correct. I just see Disney and Fox discs with their 35 dollar price tags and it makes me want to rant. In reality, the extra DVD on their part had no appreciable effect on the price.

Disney and Fox product is generally overpriced, regardless of the contents. I probably shouldn't complain. Disney and Fox are helping me save a lot of money with their BD prices.
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post #19 of 28
1/28/09 at 6:06pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
Yes. Actually, I believe you are correct. I just see Disney and Fox discs with their 35 dollar price tags and it makes me want to rant. In reality, the extra DVD on their part had no appreciable effect on the price.

Not sure about Fox since they don't generally offer 2 versions, but Disney seems to go w/ $5 higher MSRP, eg. WALL-E, Prince Caspian, etc., when both versions are available. Of course, your favorite (r)etailer might not actually charge you that much more -- maybe $1 more in practice.

Quote:
Disney and Fox product is generally overpriced, regardless of the contents. I probably shouldn't complain. Disney and Fox are helping me save a lot of money with their BD prices.

One thing going for Disney (at least here in the USA) is that they do often seem to be offering various "upgrade" offers like $10 rebate, if you're willing to cut up your DVD and BD covers for the UPC. And Paramount seems to be following suit nowadays.

_Man_
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post #20 of 28
1/28/09 at 7:01pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
Not sure about Fox since they don't generally offer 2 versions, but Disney seems to go w/ $5 higher MSRP, eg. WALL-E, Prince Caspian, etc., when both versions are available. Of course, your favorite (r)etailer might not actually charge you that much more -- maybe $1 more in practice.
I think you're conflating the digital copy versions with the movie DVD versions. There, I can understand a price difference, because Disney has to pay Apple and whoever's handling the Windows Media servers (even if it's themselves) for the bandwidth, etc.
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post #21 of 28
1/28/09 at 7:03pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwin-S
I have "Sleeping Beauty" on DVD already. Why should I pay extra for a DVD copy in the BD release? I'm still waiting for the BD to come down to some reasonable price. 34.00 Canadian before PST and GST is ridiculous. It's almost Forty bucks when taxes are included.

The same applies to "Snow White" if it is being released as a BD/DVD combo. I have the Platinum version on DVD, so why should I have to shell out extra dollars for a DVD copy that I don't even need?
One of the many advantages to living in Alberta: no PST. I got my SB @ Costco for under $35 after taxes, and I will vouch for the fact that the new DVD is far superior to the 2003 release. Hopefully the new version of Snow White will show similar improvements.
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post #22 of 28
1/30/09 at 6:26pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by ATimson
I think you're conflating the digital copy versions with the movie DVD versions. There, I can understand a price difference, because Disney has to pay Apple and whoever's handling the Windows Media servers (even if it's themselves) for the bandwidth, etc.

Bandwidth? I thought the file is actually on the digital copy DVD, and only thing that needs the online server is authentication/authorization of the copy. And since they're doing digital copies even for their SE DVDs nowadays, I'm not sure why the added cost of that should be significant.

Yeah, I guess they'll pay some sort of licensing fees to Apple, et al, but then, they're probably not paying similar fees to the DVD consortium though.

Only thing that would obviously cost extra for each digital copy release of an individual movie would probably be the extra authoring/mastering cost for creating each of them me thinks. But again, they were already doing it for the SE DVD version, so that cost would at least be shared by the (likely?) larger SE DVD market.

Anyway, these companies are in this to make $$$. And I don't see why we should doubt that they're loading a BD release w/ digital copy and/or additional DVD version and whatever other special features in order to charge more. Now, I'm not trying to complain that they would charge a bit more for this -- in some cases, I certainly wouldn't mind paying a bit more to have the DVD included. I'm just pointing out what I'm observing (and of course, concluding) about the matter. And of course, there's the concern about fair use involved here (that is not always explicitly said)...

_Man_
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post #23 of 28
1/30/09 at 7:25pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
Bandwidth? I thought the file is actually on the digital copy DVD, and only thing that needs the online server is authentication/authorization of the copy.
Windows Media versions are typically on the disc, but any iTunes versions are actually downloaded from Apple.
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post #24 of 28
1/31/09 at 12:45pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

That's file size dependent. A dual layer disc can easily hold both the iTunes and WMV versions of an average length film.
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post #25 of 28
1/31/09 at 3:29pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen_J_H
That's file size dependent. A dual layer disc can easily hold both the iTunes and WMV versions of an average length film.
The disc could hold it, yes, but I don't believe that Apple's DRM solution allows for it.
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post #26 of 28
2/1/09 at 10:08am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by ATimson
Windows Media versions are typically on the disc, but any iTunes versions are actually downloaded from Apple.

Nope. This is frequently repeated and incorrect.

Check the file size of the iTunes digital copy. They are usually 1.5gB or so. No way it could download a file that size in the 4 or 5 minutes it usually takes to get the digital copy over to iTunes.

Brian
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post #27 of 28
2/1/09 at 10:09am

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Man-Fai Wong
Bandwidth? I thought the file is actually on the digital copy DVD, and only thing that needs the online server is authentication/authorization of the copy.

_Man_

Absolutely right, at least as far as the iTunes version is concerned.

Brian
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post #28 of 28
2/1/09 at 4:39pm

Re: Buena Vista Press Release: Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian L
Check the file size of the iTunes digital copy. They are usually 1.5gB or so. No way it could download a file that size in the 4 or 5 minutes it usually takes to get the digital copy over to iTunes.
Interesting. I'll have to take a look at my only digital copy movie (Wall-E) again. Because I couldn't find the file on the disc, the disc drive was sure not acting like it was being copied from, and the time it took was just about right for downloading a 1 GB file on my connection.

It's also possible that the one movie is atypical, I suppose.
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