HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "DISNEY"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

Cheetah Girls to Rock Blu-ray with 'One World'

Wed Sep 17, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Music on High-Def, Disney (all tags)

Disney says the Cheetah Girls are coming to high-def, with the release of their first Blu-ray 'One World' in mid-December.

The latest direct-to-video musical adventure for the popular tween trio, 'The Cheetah Girls: One World' will make its Blu-ray debut on December 16, day-and-date with the standard DVD.

Extras shared between both versions include a never-before-seen musical sequence, a remix of "Feels Like Love," additional music videos, a karaoke "Rock-Along Mode," and "Cheetah Spots," an alternate version of the movie with pop-up fun facts.

Tech specs boast 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed PCM 5. Surround audio.

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.99.

You'll find the latest specs for 'The Cheetah Girls; One World' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 16.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Cheetah Girls: One World (Blu-ray)

Disney Unveils 'Sleeping Beauty' Blu-ray Specs, Exclusives

Mon Sep 15, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Exclusive HD Content, Disney (all tags)

Rolling out the red carpet for its premiere Platinum Blu-ray release, Disney has unveiled final specs for 'Sleeping Beauty' that include hours of high-def exclusives and never-before-seen bonus content.

Disney's most high-profile Blu-ray release of the year, the studio will debut 'Sleeping Beauty' on October 7, as the first in its much-touted Platinum series of animated classics. (As previously reported, future Disney Platinum titles confirmed for release in the coming years include 'Snow White,' 'Fantasia' and 'Beauty & the Beast.')

After months of anticipation amongst Disney fans, the studio has now finally confirmed complete tech specs and supplement details for the two-disc Blu-ray 'Sleeping Beauty,' and the title looks to easily earn the mantle of 'Platinum" with hours of bonus features and interactive next-gen content.

Blu-ray exclusives will include a "Cine-Explore" mode (with full-motion PIP commentary by Pixar's John Lasseter, Andreas Deja and critic Leonard Maltin), "Maleficent's Challenge" interactive game, the "ultimate audio experience" Dragon Encounter allowing you to immersive yourself in a 7.1 surround sensory adventure, the "Restoring the Soundtrack" featurette, and a "Customized Living Menu" facilitating real-time customization to the disc's menus.

Additional BD-Live content boasts a fully-functional "Disney BD-Live Network." Extras will include "Movie Chat" (allowing for synchronized viewing across the Internet), "Movie Mail" personalized user video messages, a "Movie Challenge" online interactive real-time trivia challenge, and "Disney Movie Rewards Live," featuring downloadable movie content such as avatars, wallpapers and more.

Features shared with the standard DVD Platinum release of 'Sleeping Beauty' enjoy an all-new "Picture Perfect: The Making of Sleeping Beauty" documentary, additional "Four Artists Paint One Tree" featurette, the "Original Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Walk-Through Attraction With Walt Disney Imagineering" 3-D experience, four deleted songs and an alternate opening, a pair of interactive games ("Briar Rose's Enchanted Dance Game," "Fun with English") the Oscar-winning short film "Grand Canyon" ad a episode of the legendary Walt Disney TV series "The Peter Tchaikovsky Story."

Tech specs for the Blu-ray will see the 75-minute feature film spread across a BD-50 dual-layer disc with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed English DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 7.1 Surround audio.

As previously announced, suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $35.98.

You'll find final specs for 'Sleeping Beauty' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 7.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Disney Confirms October Arrival for 'Sleeping Beauty' Blu-ray (Feb 12, 2008)
Disney Previews Upcoming Platinum Blu-ray Title Plans (Aug 27, 2008)

Disney Previews Upcoming Platinum Blu-ray Title Plans

Wed Aug 27, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

Walt Disney Studios has revealed the first news on its upcoming Platinum title plans, saying it will bring five of its most beloved animated classics to Blu-ray over the next two years.

In a New York Times article detailing the studio's efforts to accelerate consumer adoption of the Blu-ray format, the company confirmed that it will release five Platinum titles from its animated library by the end of 2010.

The films due to receive the Platinum treatment (though not necessarily released in this order) are : 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' 'Fantasia,' 'Fantasia 2000,' 'Pinocchio' and the Oscar-nominated 'Beauty and the Beast.'

The release of Disney's upcoming animated titles will follow 'Sleeping Beauty,' which will kick off the studio's Platinum support on October 7.

Disney did not confirm any street dates or outline further spec details, though each title will feature extensive bonus features and next-gen enhancements, including a continued emphasis on BD-Live interconnectivity.

"BD Live is not a niche product," said Bob Chapek, president of Disney Home Entertainment, adding that the studio expects its animated favorites will reach a wider group of consumers. "We see mass adoption of the technology.

Needless to say, we'll bring your more on this story as it develops. In the meantime, we've added all five of Disney's new Platinum title announcements to the "Release Dates Pending" section of our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
At Disney, Blu-ray Sales Team Is a Cast of Characters [New York Times]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray)

'Wall•E' Blu-ray Specs to Include Exclusives, Digital Copy

Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney, Pixar (all tags)

Confirming previous rumors, Disney has announced a November Blu-ray debut for Pixar's 'Wall•E,' which will come to Blu-ray with exclusive content and Digital Copy.

As previously reported, Disney had earlier alerted retailers to a November 18 Blu-ray release for the Pixar blockbuster (day-and-date with the DVD), but the studio stopped short of officially announcing the date to the press or issuing specs.

The first confirmed details are now in, with Disney bringing 'Wall•E' to Blu-ray as a two-disc edition, along with single-disc and three-disc DVD configurations.

Extras on the Blu-ray will contain all of the DVD bonus features, including audio commentary with director Andrew Stanton, five featurettes ("Animation Sound Design: Building Worlds from the Sound Up," "Sneak Peek: WALL-E's Tour of the Universe," "The Pixar Story by Leslie Iwerks," "BnL Shorts," "Wall-E's Treasures and Trinkets"), deleted scenes, the new animated short: "Burn-E" and a "Lots of Bots" storybook.

Included on a second disc will be a Digital Copy of the film (in standard-def) playable on PCs and other portable video devices.

Exclusive to the Blu-ray release will be additional picture-in-picture commentary, and a suite of three as-yet-untitled interactive games

Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

You'll find the latest specs for 'Wall•E' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 18.

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Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Wall•E (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Rumor Patrol: 'Wall•E' to Get November Blu-ray Bow? (Aug 15, 2008)

Disney to Debut Two Versions of 'Prince Caspian' on Blu-ray

Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

Walt Disney has announced it is bringing two versions of 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' to Blu-ray in early December, including a "DisneyFile" edition with Digital Copy.

Following a first alert to retailers last week (which originally pegged the release date as late-November), Disney has now officially confirmed a December 2 Blu-ray arrival for the $100-plus million-grossing hit, day-and-date with the standard DVD).

Set for release in standard two-disc and 'DisneyFile' editions, each will feature an identical presentation of two BD-50 dual-layer discs with matching tech specs and supplements. The 'DisneyFile Edition' will also contain a bonus third standard-DVD disc with a Digital Copy of the film.

Extras shared by both editions include audio commentary with director Andrew Adamson, a suite of featurettes ("Inside Narnia: The Adventure Returns," "Sets of Narnia: A Classic Comes to Life," "Big Movies Comes to a Small Town," "Previsualizing Narnia," "Talking Animals," "Walking Trees: The Magical World of Narnia," "Secrets of the Duel," "Becoming Trumpkin," "Warwick Davis: The Man Behind Nikabrik"), deleted scenes, and "The Bloopers of Narnia."

Tech specs for the main feature boast 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 7.1 Surround track.

In a break from the industry-standard practice of including Digital Copy at no extra cost to the consumer, Disney will retail the standard two-disc edition of 'Prince Caspian' for $34.95, and the 'DisneyFile Edition' for $39.98 (an increase of $5).

You'll find the latest specs for both versions of 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 2.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Blu-ray)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (DisneyFile Edition) (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
First Alert: 'Prince Caspian' Headed to Blu-ray this November (Aug 14, 2008)

Rumor Patrol: 'Wall•E' to Get November Blu-ray Bow?

Fri Aug 15, 2008 at 03:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Pixar, Disney (all tags)

Disney has yet to officially announce it, but a new trade ad has revealed the studio appears to be planning a mid-November bow for the Pixar hit 'Wall•E.'

Opening to rhapsodic reviews (with many critics hailing it as an instant classic) and a box office gross now topping $200 million (and counting), 'Wall•E' is one of the most highly-anticipated Blu-ray releases of the year.

Though we are still awaiting an official announcement, retailers have reported receiving a trade ad touting a November 18 Blu-ray arrival for 'Wall•E,' day-and-date with the standard DVD.

No tech specs or supplemental details are available at this early juncture, though the ad does tout the Blu-ray as a two-disc set, which certainly bodes well for extensive extras.

There's also no suggested list price, but we'll keep you posted.

As we await further word, you'll find preliminary specs for 'Wall•E' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 18.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Wall•E (Blu-ray)

Disney Planning 'Sin City,' 'From Dusk 'Til Dawn' Blu-rays for October (UPDATED)

Fri Aug 15, 2008 at 09:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

UPDATE 08/15/08: We've received word from Disney that despite retailer reports, the studio has now pushed back the Blu-ray release date for 'Sin City' to sometime in early 2009. We've updated our database accordingly.

Early word has come from retailers that Disney is planning to bring a Robert Rodriguez double-header to Blu-ray this October, with the simultaneous bow of the cult hits 'Sin City' and 'From Dusk 'Til Dawn.'

Long-awaited by Blu-ray fans, both Rodriguez's 'From Dusk 'Til Dawn' and 'Sin City' (the latter co-directed by Frank Miller with "special guest director" Quentin Tarantino) have finally been given a retail date of October 21. (Both titles were previously-released on standard DVD in extensive special edition versions.)

As Disney has yet to formally announce either title, there are no tech specs or supplemental details as of yet. As always, we'll keep you posted.

Suggested retail price for each Blu-ray is $34.95 a pop.

As we await an official announcement, you'll find preliminary specs for 'Sin City' and 'From Dusk 'Til Dawn' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under October 21.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Sin City (Blu-ray)
From Dusk 'Til Dawn (Blu-ray)

First Alert: 'Prince Caspian' Headed to Blu-ray this November

Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 01:00 PM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

Disney has yet to announce it, but early word is coming from retailers that the studio is planning a late-November bow for the fantasy hit 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.'

Though considered somewhat of a disappointment thanks to a "mere" $140 million Domestic gross (one that fell far short of the nearly $300 million haul taken in by its predecessor 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'), Disney will nevertheless roll out the Blu carpet for 'Prince Caspian' when it releases the film on high-def November 25 (day-and-date with the standard DVD).

There's been no formal media announcement made by the studio as of yet, but retailers are beginning to report a special edition release of the film, so extensive extras are expected. As always, we'll keep you posted.

As we await further word, we've added a listing for 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' to our Blu-ray Release Schedule, indexed under November 25. Stay tuned!

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Blu-ray)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (Blu-ray)

Disney Sets 'Kill Bill' Blu-ray Specs, Adds Bundle

Wed Aug 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

Walt Disney has announced final specs and box art for the September Blu-ray bow of both volumes in the 'Kill Bill' franchise, which will come to high-def in stand-alone versions and a two-pack bundle.

As previously reported, Disney has set a September 9 date for the eagerly-awaited 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' and 'Kill Bill: Vol. 2,' with the studio releasing each installment as a stand-alone Blu-ray. The 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2' two-pack bundle, which features the individual releases packaged together, will also debut the same day.

Newly-confirmed tech specs see each stand-alone release enjoying a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video (2.40:1) and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit) audio.

Extras on 'Vol. 1' include "The Making of Kill Bill: Vol. 1" documentary, bonus musical performances, and a trailer gallery with trailers for both 'Kill Bill' films as well as other Quentin Tarantino titles.

Extras on 'Vol. 2' include "The Making of Kill Bill: Vol. 2" documentary, a deleted scene, and an additional musical performance.

As the 'Kill Bill' two-pack features the stand-alone versions bundled together, specs remain identical.

Suggested list price for the stand-alone Blu-ray releases are $34.99, and $69.98 for the two-pack.

You'll find complete specs for the 'Kill Bill' series linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 9.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Kill Bill Vol. 1 (Blu-ray)
Kill Bill Vol. 2 (Blu-ray)
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Kill Bill' Coming to Blu-ray this September (Jun 17, 2008)

Disney Unveils 'Nixon: Election Year Edition' Blu-ray Specs

Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM ET
Tags: Disc Announcements, Disney (all tags)

Walt Disney Studios has announced specs for 'Nixon: Election Year Edition,' which will hit Blu-ray in a newly-extended version along with a never-before seen documentary.

As previously announced, Disney will bring Oliver Stone's controversial epic to high-def for the first time on August 19, day-and-date with a new special edition DVD re-issue.

Confirmed supplements are toplined by "Beyond Nixon," a never-before-seen documentary by Sean Stone (Oliver's son) featuring insights from author Gore Vidal and interviews with Washington insiders, including White House counsel to President Nixon, John Dean and notable political columnist and author, Robert Novak.

Other extras include two separate audio commentaries from director and screenwriter Oliver Stone, deleted scenes (introduced by Stone), a "Charlie Rose Show" interview with Stone, and the film's original theatrical trailer.

Tech specs include an extended cut of the film (with 26 minutes of additional footage) spread across a BD-50 dual-layer disc, presented in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and uncompressed PCM 5.1 Surround audio.

Suggested list price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98.

You'll find final specs for 'Nixon' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 19.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Nixon: Director's Cut (Blu-ray)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
'Nixon' to Be Sworn in on Blu-ray This August (May 27, 2008)


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