Disney/Pixar's Up DVD and Blu-ray Discussion

[DisneyJedi]

Okay, while I find all this cool, I only have a few complaints.

For starters, why in God's name are each of the four copies so freaking pricey? I can understand the combo pack with the Luxo lamp being $199.99, but $29.99 for the single-disc, another $10 for the double-disc, and $45.99 for the BD pack?! Sounds like they're being cheapskates, like Mr. Eugene "Cheapy the Cheapskate" Krabs.

And second, WHY THE HELL IS FUTURESHOP THE ONLY PLACE THAT SELLS THESE STUPID STEELCASES?!?!?!

[blackcauldron85]

$29.99 is just the suggested retail price. The DVD will be about $15-$17 when it comes out.

[2099net]

This looks like it may be one of their weakest blu-rays, yet. Definitely not up to quantity standards of past Pixar films. In fact, Disney could, yet again, be wasting discs just by putting all the "documentaries" on the second disc.

More than eighty minutes of HD material can't fit on the same disc as the movie. The quality would suffer.

I'm not so sure. For example, the B/C release of MGM's Valkyrie has about 5 hours of HD content, and the disc has received constant 4.5/5s in picture qualirty for its reviews. The main feature also has 5 soundtracks - 1 in DTS HD MA. I think Up should be able to confortably fit an approx 1.5 hour movie (with HD MA soundtrack + others) and approx 1.5 hours of HD supplements (with only DD2.0 or DD 5.1 soundtracks) and that still leaves about 2 hours for CineExplore features/branches. Of course, we'll have to see the contents of the CineExplore, but I don't think its as cut and dried as you make out. Plenty of CGI transfers easily fit onto HD DVDs (with lower disc space and lower bandwidth) and still managed 5s when it came to picture quality. I'm not sure the bandwidth is required (remember, compression should have been improved since the HD DVD days too).

There's no doubt that a 2 disc set is more sellable than a 1 disc set. I think Pinocchio would have fitted on a single Blu-ray. I'm not so sure about Sleeping Beauty or the upcoming Snow White though. But I do think sometimes 2 disc Blu-rays are being released because people expect them, rather than they absolutely need to be.

[Kyle]

I believe they could do it, they just wouldn't because of perceived value. people will see that it has an extra disc and think their getting more bang for their buck. The sad truth is they do this crap all the time with movies and more commonly tv shows. They dont need to spread whole tv seasons across 8 discs or whatever, but to the average consumer the more discs the better the value. I wish they would stop doing that so I didn't have to swap discs so much. its so frustrating.

Of course, its obvious they shouldnt have done what they did to the original B&TB dvd, but with all this extra space I think they could do it without much problem.

[Pluto Region1]

I'm not really wishing to add fuel to the fire about the whole Blu-Ray vs. DVD thing, but has anyone noticed that Disney seems to be walking away from their usual format of offering us a Blu-Ray version with all the extras along with the bare-bones DVD copy? Since I have decided to hedge my bets by buying the Blu-ray with extra DVD thrown in from here on out, I'm not too happy about my choices this time around for "Up." In the past to get the Blu-Ray plus single DVD disc, I was having to spend roughly $25 or so.... and now my options are if I want to buy the Blu-ray I need to shell out at least $5 more and they are giving us this "bonus" digital version which to me is totally useless. I have no desire to watch the movie on my computer or Ipod.

Also, as for the prices, they've obviously been adjusted since this thread got started. I see over at Amazon.com that the 4-disc Blu-Ray is selling for $31.99, the version with the Lamp is selling for $140, there's a single-disc widescreen version on DVD for $16.99, and a 2-Disc DVD selling for $21.99. Since I've already made the commitment and bought the last several titles on DVD, I suppose I'll have to shell out the extra $5 for the 4-disc Blu-ray version. At these prices, it becomes less economical for me to buy as many titles as I had when we were just dealing with DVD releases. For what its worth, I still do not own a Blu-ray player (perhaps this Xmas I'll get a player).

My decision to be an early adopter was because I did feel it was inevitable that we would end up with this new format. Plus, I personally do see a big difference in picture quality with Blu-ray. It's just my opinion. I have no personal stake in what happens. This is just the choice I've decided to make for myself.

However Disney is throwing a wrench in it when they raise the price on the Blu-ray copy. At $30, for some, it will be a deal-breaker and they will opt to buy the DVD version to save money. Also, they've thrown in a digital copy with the DVD version. I don't think too many people know what the heck to do with a digital copy, especially those who are still buying the DVD format because they don't know what a "Blu-ray" is.

[goofystitch]

Pluto Region1, I think you are looking at it the wrong way. The typical Disney Blu-Ray release lately has been 1-disc Blu-Ray, 1-disc DVD, 1-disc Digital Copy, equaling a total of a 3-disc combo pack. The first week deals for those releases are typically around $25. However, when they drop one of the bonus discs, as in you get the Blu-Ray/DVD combo or the Blu-Ray/Digital Copy combo, the price is still $25. The whole point of the bonus discs is that they are free. I know, I know, I've heard the argument that we are really paying for them, but at $25 for the whole set, no you're not. Not when the average new release Blu-Ray without any extra discs is also $25.

What needs to be pointed out about Up is that this is a 2-disc Blu-Ray set. You always pay more for extra Blu-Ray discs because they cost more to make. Up is a 4-disc set (2-disc Blu-Ray, 1-disc Deluxe DVD, 1-disc Digital Copy) and first week deals will be around $30, $5 more than what you pay for a 1-disc Blu-Ray, regardless of any bonus discs thrown in. Also note that it is the Deluxe DVD that is included, which is around $21 with first week deals and also comes with the Digital Copy. So basically, you are paying an extra $9 to future proof your purchase and you also get a whole extra disc of Blu-Ray exclusive features to enjoy when you get a Blu-Ray player.

As for Disney not offering multiple Blu-Ray options, I think the reason is purely based on last year's sales of Wall-E. The 3-disc combo packs (2-disc Blu-Ray, 1-disc Digital Copy for $35 first week) sold out almost everywhere. The 2-disc Blu-Ray only sets were readily available everywhere.

So even though you have no use for the Digital Copy and even though you can't play the Blu-Ray discs yet, you are still getting a good value for $30.

[Scamander]

Gosh, in Germany every single Disney BD (like Enchanted for example) costs converted from $40 to $47 oO (and just Disney is that expensive -.-)

[yukitora]

same with australia, the cheapest the Sleeping Beauty BD has even been is about 37USD, and that's without the shiny slipcover.

[The_Iceflash]

I just saw that the Deluxe Edition/Digital Copy DVD version has an SRP of 39.99!!! and to make things worse there's little extra added. I'm disgusted at the pricing and what's being offered for the price.

[DisneyJedi]

Pluto Region1, I think you are looking at it the wrong way. The typical Disney Blu-Ray release lately has been 1-disc Blu-Ray, 1-disc DVD, 1-disc Digital Copy, equaling a total of a 3-disc combo pack. The first week deals for those releases are typically around $25. However, when they drop one of the bonus discs, as in you get the Blu-Ray/DVD combo or the Blu-Ray/Digital Copy combo, the price is still $25. The whole point of the bonus discs is that they are free. I know, I know, I've heard the argument that we are really paying for them, but at $25 for the whole set, no you're not. Not when the average new release Blu-Ray without any extra discs is also $25.

What needs to be pointed out about Up is that this is a 2-disc Blu-Ray set. You always pay more for extra Blu-Ray discs because they cost more to make. Up is a 4-disc set (2-disc Blu-Ray, 1-disc Deluxe DVD, 1-disc Digital Copy) and first week deals will be around $30, $5 more than what you pay for a 1-disc Blu-Ray, regardless of any bonus discs thrown in. Also note that it is the Deluxe DVD that is included, which is around $21 with first week deals and also comes with the Digital Copy. So basically, you are paying an extra $9 to future proof your purchase and you also get a whole extra disc of Blu-Ray exclusive features to enjoy when you get a Blu-Ray player.

As for Disney not offering multiple Blu-Ray options, I think the reason is purely based on last year's sales of Wall-E. The 3-disc combo packs (2-disc Blu-Ray, 1-disc Digital Copy for $35 first week) sold out almost everywhere. The 2-disc Blu-Ray only sets were readily available everywhere.

So even though you have no use for the Digital Copy and even though you can't play the Blu-Ray discs yet, you are still getting a good value for $30.

Sorry if this is off-topic, but I do recall when I got Bolt on BD, I got the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy, and that was during the first week, with the bulky case, DVD case thick.

Weeks later, the case is slimmer. Would that happen to be now just a Blu-ray+DVD/Blu-ray+Digital Copy or still the entire combo pack in a slimmer case?

[goofystitch]

Sorry if this is off-topic, but I do recall when I got Bolt on BD, I got the Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy, and that was during the first week, with the bulky case, DVD case thick.

Weeks later, the case is slimmer. Would that happen to be now just a Blu-ray+DVD/Blu-ray+Digital Copy or still the entire combo pack in a slimmer case?

I have yet to see the slimmer case of Bolt on store shelves, but I would assume that the contents are still the same (1 Blu-Ray, 1 DVD, 1 Digital Copy). Disney has been erratic with the cases they use for the 3-disc sets. The majority have been DVD-width cases, bust there were a few that were released in standard Blu-Ray cases (Bedtime Stories). The upcoming Blu-Ray case for Snow White has been confirmed to be the slimmer case as well, so it seems that Disney is now sticking with the average sized case that can hold up to 4 discs. Disney has done this with some of their old DVD releases as well that were released in the now defunct double-wide cases. When you find Swiss Family Robinson on store shelves, it is in a standard case.

What I meant when I was talking about certain releases coming with either a Digital Copy or a DVD are releases like Earth (1-Blu-Ray, 1-DVD) and A Bug's Life (1-Blu-Ray, 1-Digital Copy). Even though they aren't 3-disc combo packs coming with all three, the prices were the same as when all three are present. The main point of my post was to say that the reason Up is $5 more is because its a 2-disc Blu-Ray.

[jrboy]

Weeks later, the case is slimmer. Would that happen to be now just a Blu-ray+DVD/Blu-ray+Digital Copy or still the entire combo pack in a slimmer case?

It's still the entire combo, I got mine from toysrus.com and it was in the slimmer case.

[magicalwands]

I have yet to see the slimmer case of Bolt on store shelves, but I would assume that the contents are still the same (1 Blu-Ray, 1 DVD, 1 Digital Copy). Disney has been erratic with the cases they use for the 3-disc sets.

I can stand witness. On the day of Bolt's release, I went to a Best Buy and saw the Blu-ray + DVD Combo pack in slim and thick cases. I could feel the slim cases feel puffed up (to hold all 3 discs.) With cases I don't think we can ever rely on Disney keeping them consistent. I also think the cover was meant for a thick case so on a slim case, the binding part of the cover was overlapping into the back.

It's the same with the locks for DVDs. I've been lucky that my most recent purchases don't have them and UD reviews have stated they come with locks. But really, it's not consistent...ever.

[rexcrk]

The 4-disc set of Up (which I believe is a 2-disc Blu-ray plus a DVD of the movie and a Digital Copy) is down to $27.99 on amazon.

And if you pre-order it (like I did ) you're guaranteed the lowest price.

[jrboy]

From xphoenix23 at blu-ray.com ( post #78 )

[rexcrk]

very cool! I can't quite tell from the pic, but is that in the normal Blu-ray case or the thick case? (hoping for the regular case, I can't stand the thick one).

[PixarFan2006]

Those are great pictures, but how do you keep getting those Blu-Rays early?

[magicalwands]

very cool! I can't quite tell from the pic, but is that in the normal Blu-ray case or the thick case? (hoping for the regular case, I can't stand the thick one).

Looks to me it is in fact a thin case! From Bolt's release which had both a thin and thick case, there are two things in the picture that I can tell makes it is a thin case: the dark blue-ness and the "cheap" blu-ray logo where it is just flat.

But, COOL! Thanks jrboy for sharing these!

[MrIncredible]

Wow! A 4 disc comes in a case that's almost half as thick as a 3 disc title. Also can't help but notice this is the first Pixar film to carry a PG up here in Canada, even The Incredibles is G here.

[PixarFan2006]

I am worried that the case may be a little flimsy.