Disney Channel DVDs (2.0 sound quality)

[Sharpay's poodle]

This always bugged me since the 2nd Cory in the House DVD came out, and Disney started doing this..

The "3-4 episode" DVDs that Disney puts out of their shows are now only 2.0 channel audio, as opposed to the 5.1 surround sound treatment they usually get. What's funny is, the TRAILERS on the "Newt & Improved Edition" were surround, but the episodes weren't. Released about a month or so later, The Suite Life DVD got the same treatment, with only the trailers being surround as well, and not the episodes.

Is this trend going to continue? These DVDs are already money-grabbers since Disney will never put out proper box-sets, and it's certainly not an issue of 'not enough space'. My little cousins love watching these compilations, so I always buy the sets and enjoy watching these with them. The fact that they stay the same price also turns me off from buying them. Can anyone give me any insight? Is this going to continue? I certainly hope they don't start doing this with their movies as well.

[goofystitch]

I don't know a lot about Disney Channel DVDs. I buy a few DCOMS and that's about the extent of it. My guess is that the average purchaser of these compilations doesn't even realize that the audio was remastered into 5.1 for the DVD and Disney probably realized "Why spend the extra money for something thats not a deal breaker in the customer's purchase?" Since the episodes aren't broadcast in 5.1 audio, I think its easy for most people to overlook. I don't think this trend will carry over to their other releases, probably just TV show compilations.

I have resisted buying Disney Channel shows in individual compilations ever since the Lizzie McGuire Box Set. I know it didn't sell well which is why the series was never completed on DVD, but I think that the number of people who purchase season sets of their favorite shows has increased and I think full season sets of Disney's more popular programs (Hannah Montana, That's So Raven) would sell reasonably well if the price was right. It will be interested to see how well Life With Derek, one of Disney Channel's least popular programs, sells when it's first season debuts on DVD (Disney doesn't own home video rights to the show).

Basically, to sum up my rambling, I wouldn't be surprised if future Disney Channel shows get released with their original 2.0 audio channel, but maybe when they make the jump to Bluray Disney will give you a better treatment.

[Sharpay's poodle]

Thanks for your response. 5.1 audio is very important to me when purchasing DVDs. I guess this will continue unfortunately. I don't know if I should continue to purchase these or not