Regarding DVD Editions

Pri · Post by **Pri** » Fri May 28, 2004 5:53 pm

I'm new, and I'm not really sure where to post this. I was wondering if someone could explain the difference between the Special, Platinum, Master, Gold, etc. Editions of the Disney DVDs, or point me in the direction of a place that does this. I've recently started collecting the Disney animated classics, and I'm a bit confused by the different titles. just found this site, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Anyway, thank you for any help you can provide!

Post by **Luke** » Fri May 28, 2004 6:13 pm

Welcome to the forum. A look above should have revealed this link called "Release Types Explained":

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/releasetypes.htm

It's a bit outdated, but then we stress the release types much more than Disney does anymore.

Just Myself · Post by **Just Myself** » Fri May 28, 2004 6:19 pm

Okay. I'm not very good at this, but basically this is the rundown:

Platinum: These were originally supposed to be films that had never been released on Disney DVD before and would come out every October. So far we've had Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King come out, and Aladdin is coming this October. Recently they decided to make it so there's a Platinum Release every March and October, and there is a list of (I think) 11 DVD's including the four that will be out by the end of this year. Normally they go out of print the following January, but The Lion King won't go out of print until January 2005.

Special: These are basically DVD's that came out that are either under the Platinum or Masterpiece banner. I believe the only Special Edition not under either banner is Sleeping Beauty, which went OOP(Out Of Print) in January, but you can still find in some stores.

Masterpiece: These DVD's just recently started to roll out, with the premiere being Alice in Wonderland last January. They have a list of (I think) 5 DVD's so far including Alice.

Gold: A much lower form of Disney DVD's, these are for all the Animated Classics and Other Animation films that are either not listed in the other four columns or are not released independently.

Limited: The lowest form of Disney DVD's, these DVD's rolled out in 1999 and quickly went OOP within 2 months of release. Having no special features(unless you count the then unpopular full DVD disc art) and mostly coming out in fullscreen, they wern't exactly a big sell, especially at $40 a pop. Some of the 9 DVD's chosen have been rereleased in the Gold Collection; the rest slated for release under the Masterpiece or Platinum banners.

I know a lot of other posters who can explain better, but this should be good for now.

Ric-Mx · Post by **Ric-Mx** » Fri May 28, 2004 6:23 pm

You can check the section about Release Types here at Ultimate Disney

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/releasetypes.htm

As a summary I can tell you that (at least for Region 1 releases):

Limited Issue was released around 1999 and only had 9 titles available, it included The Little Mermaid, 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, Pinocchio Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan, Mulan, Hercules, Lion King 2. As I personal advice, it isn't worth try to get any of this discs, it's quality it's not as new releases... we talked about it on this other post:

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=3897

Gold Classic Collection was released after LI, around 2000, but got discontinnued on 2002. This line was for the "not so special" classics (Alice, Robin Hood, Pocahontas, Mulan, Hercules, Black Cauldron, Aristocats... and many others) Some titles are worth getting, but most of us hope that Disney somaday will release better editions , as they did with Alice in Wonderland this year.

The Masterpiece Edition was supposed to start with 4 titles this year, but just Alice got released. Last year Sleeping Beauty and this year Mulan are called "Special Edition" and I don't see why didn't thay labeled under "Masterpiece" as this releases seem very similar. We don't know if next years Pocahontas and Lilo and Stitch will keep the "masterpiece Edition" label.

The Platinum Edition is the finest of them all. It's supposed to have the 14 best seling (and most beloved) Disney movies. Under this line just Snow Whithe, Beauty and the Beast and Lion King have been releases. This year Alaadin will premiere on this collection, followed by Bambi and Cinderella next year. This are good 2 disc sets, but not always as expected. Lion King was dissapointing regarding bonus features, but the video and audio quality is among the top dvd's ever released.

"Special Edition" has been udsed in so different ways (as explained on this site) they can be very simple like 2001 Peter Pan release, or very special like last year's Sleeping Beauty.

IN THE END. The label doesn't matter that much, it seems like Disney it's never going to stay with a line for too long (hpefully they'll complete the Platinum releases under that label). I recommend you to find good reviews in this and other specialized sites about any particular disc you're looking for, and then make your choice.

Pri · Post by **Pri** » Fri May 28, 2004 7:20 pm

Thank you all so much for your help. I apologize for failing to notice the link above. I think I'm up to date on the Masterpiece and Platinum collections, I just need to buy some of the Collector's Editions. I think I'll spend the next day perusing this site to figure out what I need. Thanks again!

Ludwig Von Drake · Post by **Ludwig Von Drake** » Sat May 29, 2004 3:45 pm

Some of the old editions are not necesarrily worth buying becuase better version will be comming out.

DisneyQuack · Post by **DisneyQuack** » Sat May 29, 2004 3:46 pm

Good luck Pri on completing your collection or what not.

Matt Q.

bmadigan · Post by **bmadigan** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:16 am

Ludwig Von Drake wrote:Some of the old editions are not necesarrily worth buying becuase better version will be comming out.

And most of the new special two-disc editions are cheaper than the original gold editions.

I think I agree with those who think that Disney wants to push everything out the door in the near future so that they can then re-release everything in Hi-Def and hit us again.

For myself, I don't see where hi-def will add anything to my enjoyment of the Disney classics. The newer CGI titles are another matter and I may wait for the HD editions before I commit to them.

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:37 am

Cosidering you need to buy a new TV and a new DVD player to take advantage of HD-DVD (plus there's still debate about the correct format between the manufacturers) I don't see HD-DVD's take up being as quick of DVDs!

I think Disney have plenty of time to get their plain DVDs out.

yoda_four · Post by **yoda_four** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 4:31 pm

I heard the FCC had to push back the mandate to 2009, because it just wasn't possible to get everything in HiDef before 2006/2007.

Now, Regarding DVD Editions, I just read on Jim Hill Media's Alice DVD review that Disney is planning to eventually bring back the "Disney Archives Collection" on DVD. Now while I've heard so much about these awesome LaserDisc sets, does anyone know of a site with complete info about these LDs? Has anyone heard at all bout these sets being restarted. It would make sense after the Platinums are done and we move into HD-DVD/Blu-ray. Any thoughts?

Joe Carioca · Post by **Joe Carioca** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:27 pm

Well, the Saludos Amigos/The Three Caballeros combo would be the perfect edition to start this collection.

MisterMalificent · Post by **MisterMalificent** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:28 pm

What is the difference between the exclusive DVD's coming out from disney?

Snow White, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast have the same features as Sleeping Beauty which is called speical edition and Alice which is called masterpiece edition. So whats the difference, they are all only available for a limited time, all have a lot of special features, all have 2-discs, have nice slip-covers, and are classic movies, so why not all be dubbed platinum? I just dont get it, and why wasnt sleeping beauty labeled platinum edition it is like the most classic one

MickeyMousePal · Post by **MickeyMousePal** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:33 pm

Just look at the link it will explain very clearly.

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/releasetypes.htm

Platinum Editions are the very best Disney editions while Special Editions are also great to get.

I hope the link helps.

Mermaid Kelly · Post by **Mermaid Kelly** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:35 pm

The Platinum collection was created in 2001, and is the ten best selling animated Disney titles. These are
Snow White
Beauty and the Beast
The Lion King
Aladdin
Bambi
Cinderella
The Little Mermaid

Lady and the Tramp
The Jungle Book
and 101 Dalmatians

For more info check out http://ultimatedisney.com/releasetypes.htm

AwallaceUNC · Post by **AwallaceUNC** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 4:16 pm

And in addition to that, there's a recent thread that should be no more than 2 pages back on this too.

Edit: Here it is: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=3919

-Aaron

Post by **Luke** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 5:00 pm

Merging with existing thread. It never hurts to run a search on a topic that might have been recently covered.

DVDizzy Forum

Latest Movie Reviews

🎬 DVDizzy Top Stories️️

Regarding DVD Editions

Regarding DVD Editions

Whats the difference?