The Walt Disney Signature Collection

[DisneyFan09]

I don't think it's condescending at all.

Aaaw, thanks Albert You're my man

[Jc]

Is it just me or "Signature Collection" sounds like all these new reissues should have had a really special touch applied to them? Of course it's the way of Disney making money, while loyal fans buying another reissue, however, Disney would definitely get more money if they were making more exclusive releases like the first Snow White Diamond Edition one...
https://youtu.be/LAXT_qeDzo0

[Mickeyfan1990]

I do agree that it could have more extras or in this case, porting more of the Diamond and Platinum extras (if I was in charge, you'd better believe it!).

But like I said (and I'm sticking with this), Disney gets your complaints so odds are they'll improve the line little by little.

With that, some new articles regarding the digital exclusive; Hungry Hoboes:

https://d23.com/oswald-historian-lauds- ... ry-hoboes/

http://blogs.indiewire.com/animationsco ... e-20160202

[Escapay]

But like I said (and I'm sticking with this), Disney gets your complaints so odds are they'll improve the line little by little.

If they've known something was wrong since 2011, they'd have done something about it by now. This isn't even a "too little too late" situation. After 2010's Beauty and the Beast, the quality in the Diamond line gradually went DOWN with every subsequent release. We went from two discs to one disc. We lost disc art. Some bonus features got trapped in the Virtual Vault, others relegated to Second Screen apps. New bonus features gradually became less and less relevant towards the film (I'd argue the last truly great Diamond Edition bonus feature was Growing Up with Nine Old Men, which isn't even specific to Peter Pan but helped save that disc from having largely forgettable "new" bonuses). Not even Diane Disney Miller's introductions proved of any lasting value unless you planned on going to the Walt Disney Family Museum. If anything, the Signature Collection will continue the downward trend to the point that the last few Signature Collection Blu-Ray releases in 2022 will soon look like their DVD counterparts of five years ago: single-disc affairs pared down to the absolute minimum.

This is history repeating itself, and any misguided optimism that Disney actually listens to complaints and that the Signature Collection will gradually get better because people have complained for years is sheer naiveté. I hate being a grump about it, but seriously, the evidence of the past twenty-odd years of home video trends points to the same cycle. We've already seen Blu-Ray's peak, this is the falling action before we reach the conclusion of this format and the beginning of another - be it Digital HD or 4K Blu-Ray - neither of which would penetrate the general market as well as DVD did and Blu-Ray tried to. Appealing to the collector/cinephile is a dying idea in North American home media unless you're Criterion or Twilight Time.

I can't wait until October when I can complain that Beauty and the Beast only has half its bonus features, just one version of the film, *maybe* a sneak peek at the 2017 film, and a slate of crap that includes the overly-fawning @DisneyAnimation featurette, a trivial five minute piece hosted by Prince Ben of Descendents, and that film's modern remix of "Be Our Guest," now set to a bizzarely-edited music video.

Disney, prove me wrong. I dare you.

Albert

[magicalwands]

Albert, I look forward to your opinions on subsequent home video releases. Whether they're positive or negative, they always are entertaining and informative. Looking forward to October!

[JeanGreyForever]

...a trivial five minute piece hosted by Prince Ben of Descendents, and that film's modern remix of "Be Our Guest," now set to a bizzarely-edited music video.

This is practically guaranteed. As is basically everything else you said, but especially this.

[Disney's Divinity]

Of course I agree with everything Escapay's said.

But since I'm not as in tune with Disney's home media, all these posts about Disney doing their best to force a complete transition to digital and trying to force physical media to fail in sales have been eye-opening for me (though unsurprising, since this is how Disney rolls). If they do drop their physical media, the VERY LITTLE I'm buying from them right now will instead become nil.

[ajmrowland]

I don't think Disney is actually trying to force a transition to digital media any more than other studios are. I think they just discovered that they could make just as much money from the general public by putting minimal effort in even their digital releases.

[Escapay]

Albert, I look forward to your opinions on subsequent home video releases. Whether they're positive or negative, they always are entertaining and informative. Looking forward to October!

Haha, for all our sakes, let's hope they'll be positive in October...

This is practically guaranteed. As is basically everything else you said, but especially this.

Frankly, I'm surprised that when Aladdin came out, they elected to have some random Disney Channel kid do the fluff piece instead of Booboo Stewart of Descendants. Not that it would have made that piece better, just more synergistic.

But since I'm not as in tune with Disney's home media, all these posts about Disney doing their best to force a complete transition to digital and trying to force physical media to fail in sales have been eye-opening for me (though unsurprising, since this is how Disney rolls). If they do drop their physical media, the VERY LITTLE I'm buying from them right now will instead become nil.

It all started in 2008 when, after two years of releasing Blu-Rays, they made a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack for Sleeping Beauty, whilst also releasing Blu-Ray/Digital Copy combo packs for a few other films (Prince Caspian and WALL-E come to mind).

Then, in 2009, Disney released Bolt on Blu-Ray a few days before the DVD came out.

Later that fall came news that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs would be released on Blu-Ray/DVD combo in October, but the standalone DVD would be released seven weeks later.

The Diamond Edition line is really where we can trace the continuing changes and transition from DVD to Blu-Ray to Digital based simply on how many editions had to be released across time. First, they eased the collector into buying Blu-Ray by offering it in DVD packaging. Then they gradually added the Digital Copy, either as an additional edition, then as the default. Now, they offer the Digital Copy two weeks before the physical release:

Phase One: Easing into Blu-Ray, DVD is the Standard
First, they ease the consumer into wanting to go Blu by offering the Blu-Ray in either Blu-Ray packaging or DVD packaging, so that the spines are consistent, and also as an incentive to "future-proof" their collection later. Dedicated DVD buyers have to wait seven weeks if they want the DVD only version, which are still two-disc affairs.

October 2009: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD (7 weeks later)

October 2010: Beauty and the Beast
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD (7 weeks later)

March 2011: Bambi
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD (7 weeks later)


Phase Two: Easing into Digital Copies, Blu-Ray is the Standard, Phasing out DVD
Next, despite having offered Digital Copies for new releases for 3 years (it began for Disney in 2008 with Prince Caspian, WALL-E, and The Nightmare Before Christmas), they now offer it on the Diamond Edition line. But rather than make it a standard the way that Blu-Ray+DVD was, it's a separate edition, again to ease consumers into choosing to buy it. DVD buyers are now treated to single disc releases, still seven weeks after, and now with less bonus content than before, usually one of the new features and one of the old ones.

October 2011: The Lion King
Blu-Ray 3D + Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD (7 weeks later)

February 2012: Lady and the Tramp
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD (7 weeks later)

October 2012: Cinderella
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD (7 weeks later)


Phase Phase Two and a Half: Continuing the Digital Copy Push
The same formats as Phase Two, but now the DVD contains the Digital Copy, as they now realize the remaining DVD buyers will not upgrade to Blu-Ray, so they might as well try upgrading them to Digital Copy.

February 2013: Peter Pan
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD + Digital Copy (6 months later)

October 2013: The Little Mermaid
Blu-Ray 3D + Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (Blu-ray Packaging)
Blu-Ray + DVD (DVD Packaging)
DVD + Digital Copy (2 months later)


Phase Three: DVD's Final Days
At this point, they've now retired the "Blu-Ray in DVD Packaging" option, and realized they can't sell DVDs with Digital Copies. But for the proud few who only want the DVD, they now get them day-and-date with the Blu-Ray, with far far less bonus content than ever before.

February 2014: The Jungle Book
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
DVD

October 2014: Sleeping Beauty
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)
DVD


Phase Four: You get a Digital Copy, you get a Digital Copy, everybody gets a Digital Copy!
The digital copies now get released two weeks earlier, with the same content as the Blu-Ray. While a few Diamond Edition releases did have digital-exclusive content, they were quiet about it. However, thanks to Disney Movies Anywhere, both the Diamond Editions and various new releases now have digital-exclusive content, and that's part of their marketing push. The live-action Cinderella, for example, includes Deleted Scenes only via Disney Movies Anywhere, the Blu-Ray itself only carries the alternate opening. Aladdin has the majority of its 2004 supplements on Blu-Ray, but the 43-minute documentary is only offered digitally. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has a digital-exclusive of the Oswald short "Hungry Hoboes."

February 2015: One Hundred and One Dalmatians
Digital Copy (2 weeks earlier)
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)

October 2015: Aladdin
Digital Copy (2 weeks earlier)
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)

February 2016: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Digital Copy (2 weeks earlier)
Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy (Blu-Ray Packaging)

So, based on these trends, we can see that what was the established product gets joined with the new one, gradually phased out, and the new one suffers the same fate. I predict that either this year or next, the Signature Collection releases will no longer include DVDs. And by the line's end (sometime in the early 2020s, if they follow the same release pattern), we may see the first, entirely digital re-issue of a Disney film without any physical media to go along with it. Because, like the move from VHS to DVD, then DVD to Blu-Ray, they have already groomed a portion of the early-adopter consumer base to accept digital copies. They can focus on pushing it now on the rest of the consumers in the next six years or so, until it's the only option they offer.

Albert

[Mickeyfan1990]

They try releasing a Marvel animated film exclusively to digital and if I remember correctly, that idea failed miserably.

I agree with ajmrowland, Disney s not trying to make digital the new medium, they're just giving us an option. I don't want to think or dream of the day physical media is no more and it seems like we won't have to worry about that for a long time and according to this...:

http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31924

Physical media is still strong even at Disney and there are a few other examples. Sure streaming is convenient, but it's never going to replace the physical media. Heck some people still don't have a Blu-ray player.

So yeah, physical media, especially at Disney, isn't going anywhere.

[JeanGreyForever]

I wonder if anyone ended up getting this release

[chadhobbick]

I purchased this for the digital copy only, since I had the Diamond release of Snow White from a few years back. I ended up giving the blu-ray/dvd to my sister for my nephews. I guess it helps that I just used some rewards certificates from Best Buy to purchase this release.

[JeanGreyForever]

I purchased this for the digital copy only, since I had the Diamond release of Snow White from a few years back. I ended up giving the blu-ray/dvd to my sister for my nephews. I guess it helps that I just used some rewards certificates from Best Buy to purchase this release.

The digital copy is the only reason I am even remotely tempted to get this edition. Is there anyone out there who bought the signature edition and didn't use the digital copy? I have some non-Disney movie codes (as well as some Disney ones) I would be willing to trade with.

[unprincess]

I completely forgot to pick this up! I was gonna get the digibook at Target. I even went to Target last week for a quick errand. Totally skipped my mind. Guess it shows how excited I was for it.

[Disney Duster]

I would only get this for the longer making-of, and the new deleted scene of the Prince meeting Snow White, if in fact there is a longer making-of and a new deleted scene of the Prince meeting Snow White. Can anyone confirm this for me?

[JeanGreyForever]

I would only get this for the longer making-of, and the new deleted scene of the Prince meeting Snow White, if in fact there is a longer making-of and a new deleted scene of the Prince meeting Snow White. Can anyone confirm this for me?

Yes the making of is longer although I don't remember how much longer. There also is a new deleted scene with the Prince meeting Snow White. I remember that the platinum edition had storyboards of this but I don't think it was a full deleted scene back then.

[Disney Duster]

Ok thanks. Well...I might buy it. I dunno. I'll take a look at it when I go to the store.

The ones I am anticipating most are Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, because how the film LOOKS should be fixed for them. Beauty and the Beast had darker colors on the 3D Edition so that might get the darker colors back, and Cinderella's restoration may be fixed since Don Hahn heard about it.

[JeanGreyForever]

Ok thanks. Well...I might buy it. I dunno. I'll take a look at it when I go to the store.

The ones I am anticipating most are Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, because how the film LOOKS should be fixed for them. Beauty and the Beast had darker colors on the 3D Edition so that might get the darker colors back, and Cinderella's restoration may be fixed since Don Hahn heard about it.

Same. I have hopes for Cinderella because of Don Hahn's comments, although I'm not sure when they will re-release it considering the diamond edition is still in circulation.

For some reason, I'm not too optimistic for BATB. The 3D colors are closer to the original, but they weren't completely accurate either (still I'd much rather have that than the platinum or diamond 2D colors). Disney's new line of books that are supposed to be more accurate to the movies seemed to have a color scheme for BATB that was closer to the diamond 2D colors, so I don't consider that to be a good sign for Disney returning to the original darker colors.

The other release I hope gets a more accurate restoration is Alice in Wonderland. It looks gorgeous but the colors aren't accurate either. This is one of the few examples I've seen where the DVD transfer was accurate but the blu-ray changed things up.

[Disney Duster]

I picked this up today. Honestly I have no idea when I will watch the bonus features. I still haven't watched the ones from the Diamond Edition. You see, unless it's one of my very top faves like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, I feel like I'd rather wait till I have a lot of time without anything else I want to do more to watch all the bonus features. And actually the main reason I bought this was to support Disney's home video sales and also because I accidentally tore the sticker off the front. I felt like I had to buy it then, lol. If someone wants me to tell them something about this release, since I bought it, ask and maybe I can help you. I'll watch a bonus feature or so to help someone.

As for Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, I forgot Cinderella is still in circulation. That doesn't mean they aren't working on a better restoration as we speak. And as for Beauty and the Beast, if we don't get the darker colors, I'm ok with that because the reason the colors got brightened in the first place was because the film turned out darker than they wanted when it first came to theaters and home video. So the brighter colors are more what they wanted, the colors just didn't end up like how they wanted in it's first releases. But they really need to fix one thing: the shot of Belle and the Beast reading by the fire while the enchanted objects say "There's something there that wasn't there before." In the newest release, they kept the Special Edition shot of the characters without Belle and the Beast behind them.

I had no idea Alice in Wonderland got messed up in restoration, too. Any comparison shots somewhere I could see? Oh, and I forgot, The Lion King needs the cloud fix and The Little Mermaid needs it's fixes and Sleeping Beauty needs it's re-mixed soundtrack fix (if it hasn't been corrected on the Diamond Edition, didn't check) and it's pink dress fix (when Flora changes the splattered pink and blue dress to pink before Briar Rose comes in, the restorers changed it from pink spreading over the dress to the blue parts of the dress fading to pink), and finally, the entire The Sword in the Stone!

[JeanGreyForever]

Although I don't want to open that can of worms, I'm not sure I believe that the brighter colors for BATB were the intended ones. I just find that difficult to swallow, considering that means that they messed up the colors 2/3 times on physical media (not counting VHS and laserdisc). Then again they messed up both tries at Cinderella, so maybe that is credible yet.

Alice's colors have been pumped up to new levels of intensity. The best example is Alice's hair which is now a bright yellow akin to Cinderella's hair in the clipart. From what I've read, this transfer's colors are all over the place so adjusting brightness or intensity would not fix this. Lion King definitely needs that cloud. Little Mermaid should be fine now though with the replacement blu-ray and DVD. I've never heard of Sleeping Beauty's problems though. Sword in the Stone is definitely a complete mess. Peter Pan's colors I think may be off as well although I'm not positive. There isn't as much out there on that film for some reason. The other release I can think of is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh which also has turned up the brightness.

This website has some really handy info.
http://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Recomm ... s/id/15617

Here's one especially on Alice
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/threads ... ay.301971/