Buena Vista Home Entertainment Announces Launch of Blu-ray Disc Titles

Buena Vista Home Entertainment Announces Launch of Blu-ray Disc Titles

First Titles to Include 'Dinosaur,' 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,' and Others; Second Wave of Releases to Include 'Dark Water,' 'Gone in Sixty Seconds,' and Others

BURBANK, Calif., July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) president Bob Chapek today announced that BVHE will begin releasing titles beginning September 19, 2006 on the Blu-ray Disc format. Titles available on that date will include Walt Disney Pictures' "Dinosaur" and "Eight Below;" Miramax Films' "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "The Great Raid." These four titles mark the first wave of an ongoing release strategy from BVHE which will support the Blu-ray format. Both "Eight Below" and "Dinosaur" will feature Blu-Scape, exclusive high-definition short films inspired by the movies available only on BVHE Blu-ray Discs. These shorts are presented in 1080p and shot by renowned cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-ahttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-bhttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-chttp://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-d )

Commenting on the announcement, Chapek stated, "The Blu-ray Disc represents a major technological breakthrough in our industry, and just as DVD revolutionized home entertainment, the Blu-ray Disc promises to deliver a new and unparalleled consumer experience. The possibilities are endless and we've just begun to bridge the future of this exciting new paradigm."

A second wave of releases will be available on October 17, 2006, including Walt Disney Pictures' "Glory Road" and "Haunted Mansion;" Touchstone Pictures' "Dark Water" and "Gone in Sixty Seconds;" and Dimension Films' "The Brothers Grimm." From the second wave "Gone in Sixty Seconds;" "Glory Road;" and "Haunted Mansion" will feature Blu-Scape. Most Blu-ray titles from BVHE will be available for $34.99 SRP.

Blu-ray Disc is the next-generation optical disc format for high-definition video and high-capacity software applications. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25 gigabytes of data and a double-layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50 gigabytes of data. Blu-ray Disc is supported by the world's leading Consumer Electronics, Personal Computer & Gaming companies, and with 7 of 8 Hollywood studios releasing their high-definition content on Blu-ray Disc, Blu-ray will deliver the widest variety of high-definition, home entertainment content.

At launch, BVHE's Blu-ray titles will feature advanced new menus offering seamless navigation and settings while the movie is still playing; dynamic and unparalleled, high-definition picture; new layering coating technology which provides a scratch resistance surface; and new sleek packaging. Other Disney Blu-ray feature technologies being developed include unparalleled interactive features; personalized chapter selections; and compelling online content, including web connectivity, which will allow users to connect to live events hosted by the studio and more.

Chapek concluded, "These are incredibly exciting times since we are in an era where the consumer has growing control over the delivery of their entertainment choices including packaged media. We are confident that the Blu-ray Disc will be the high-definition choice for the home entertainment future."

About Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista videocassette and DVD product. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-c
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060717/LAM040-d
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Eric Maehara of Buena Vista Home Entertainment,
+1-818-295-4841; or Taffy Spencer, tspencer@mprm.com, or Alan Amman
aamman@mprm.com, both of mPRm Public Relations, +1-323-933-3399, for Buena
Vista Home Entertainment

-------
Profile: intent