Disney Eyes First 3-D Blu-ray Releases by 2010

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment intends to release its first "theatrical-styled" 3-D Blu-ray Disc releases as early as fourth quarter 2010, to prime people for the expected launch of 3-D-at-home hardware. The studio demoed 3-D clips of its movies at a fan conference held last week in Anaheim, California. Clips included the upcoming theatrical 'A Christmas Carol', shown on Blu-ray via a 3-D-enabled Panasonic TV and Blu-ray player. The video was encoded using a new version of the AVC codec, dubbed AVC Multi-View Codec, or AVC-MVC. To date, the public has mostly only been able to enjoy high-quality, stereoscopic 3-D in theaters, and anaglyph versions (using two-color glasses) are largely considered not to be good enough. Disney is not including a 3-D viewing option on films shown in 3-D such as 'Up' because it doesn't want to “support inferior products to the originals.” Disney hopes to support with titles the hardware launch of 3-D in 2010, when brand name manufacturers Panasonic, Sony, among others will be selling their first stereoscopic 3-D TVs and BD players. Some of Disney's possible candidates for a home 3-D release in 2010 are its movies that will open theatrically in 3-D in spring 2010, such as 'Toy Story 3' and 'Alice in Wonderland', which should street on 3-D Blu-ray by the end of that year. “We'd love to have our 3-D products out as soon as possible, as soon as the holidays 2010,” said Gordon Ho, Disney's executive VP of content, marketing and business development, at the D23 fan conference. “I think 3-D is positioned very well in the theatrical marketplace. And that is creating demand to see it in the home.” “People are coming [out of the demo] saying they want to try 3-D in the home,” added Ho. “They didn't think that it could look this good in the home. Once people can see this, we know that there is a market for it.” There is a question of whether people will be motivated to purchase new 3-D high-definition TV sets and Blu-ray players, when many have only recently upgraded to the high-def world. But Ho believes that consumers are starting to get interested in purchasing multiple high-def products for their households. “More and more people are looking to get another HDTV,” said Ho. “Many have their first TV and are looking for their second. Many of those [for sale] will be 3-D-enabled. We are optimistic [about this market.]”
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BigNickUK  » Sep 15, 2009
Personally I think people are going to be very cautious about shelling out for more new hardware for the next AV fad. Lots of people got stung with the push to "HD Ready" 720p/1080i and then Full HD, also with the HD-DVD/Blu Ray war. Does Ho realise there is world wide credit crunch?

avecha  » Sep 15, 2009	Show comment Hide comment
I personally hope it fails. My biggest concern is that quality of blu rays will drop as they start to focus on 3d movies.

chad_1138  » Sep 15, 2009
La-de-fickin'-da... Don't need 3D at home. 3D in the theater is good enough.

Mann9  » Sep 15, 2009
is ther news of video projectors in the coming-at-ya 3-D world? that would be a better choice to start IMHO

fullyalive76  » Sep 15, 2009	Show comment Hide comment
Stop 3D! Honestly, all those in the industry pushing 3D are going to kill Blu-ray. People are confused and hesistant enough as it is. The school I teach at (with a staff over 100) and there is only one person on the staff that has a Blu-ray player and he is typing this message.

Irrob  » Sep 15, 2009
This might not make some people who just plunked down 3-5 grand on a HDTV and BD player happy.

steve69bez  » Sep 15, 2009

No way am I forking out any more hard earned cash for a new TV. Sony, Disney and all the other studios planning to release 3D TV sets and 3D blu ray really need to think of a way to include 3D into existing sets rather than creating new ones, Stereoscopic glasses have been available for CRT sets (under 100hz) for many years now. I'm sure the technology is there, this just screams of another way to make people part with the cash, what happens when 100gb blu rays get released will we all have to replace our existing movies and machines too? Its a no no from me, I hope it fails

photograph17  » Sep 15, 2009
I bought a 56" Samsung DLP two years ago, and it claims to be 3-D ready. Guess we'll see. But if I'm required to buy a new HDTV to enjoy 3-D, forget it.

SpaceDog  » Sep 15, 2009
I don't understand the anti-3d sentiment. It's a value add, and it's not going to replace a quality 2d presentation. I can't understand why anyone would think 3d would confuse the market either. I look forward to 3d in home, especially with the Disney touch. I don't think they do anything on blu-ray unless they can do it right, so it's exciting to hear that they are excited about this technology.

DualEdge  » Sep 15, 2009

I can certainly understand people not wanting to purchase new equipment, but I also don't understand peoples' thoughts indicating that this is going away anytime soon. 3D movies are becoming more and more common and the fact that there is currently an inferior product being delivered in our homes (anaglyph) creates demand for a better system. I also don't understand comments that this cause confusion in the market. If anything, I would think that the anaglyph method would cause confusion for people who saw a movie in theatres and then bought it for home and it looks completely different (and terribly discolored). Feels like I'm in the minority here in saying this, but I welcome all that 3D offers!

BLURAYSONYES  » Sep 15, 2009
I dont really understand whats the fuzz about this new 3D TV when any TV can show any movie in 3D as long as you wear those 3D glasses.

Torgon  » Sep 15, 2009
YOU don't have to buy any new equipment anytime soon, but people who NEED a new TV will have the option to buy and start enjoying the new technology. No one forces you to buy new gadgets. When your current TV fails, then you can buy a 3-D TV, by then prices may have dropped and maybe even more features added. Stop complaining; just don't buy it.

The Great Robu  » Sep 15, 2009

yeah, screw this.. Everyone want to hop on the 3D bandwagon, but its gonna be funny when in 6 years or so, that this fad just fades out, and then everyone is gonna be left with over priced hardware, that they cant use anymore. And whats with the whole thing of pulling out the 3D crap again. dont these companies realize that its just not something that a mass market will want to adopt. There are still tons of people that get sick after watching 10 minutes of 3D. FAIL!!! And then theres also the whole thing of people are still trying to save up money for HDTV's and now they are gonna throw out this new tech that requires you to buy more hardware, and further confusing that mass market of people that they are aiming this for. I also wonder if Sony ever cares that there is something going on in the world called a RECESSION... NO ONE HAS MONEY SONY!!!! Oh, and lets not forget about the thousands of people (like myself) that wear glasses all day long to see. So we are supposed to what, just throw on these goofy looking red and blue piece of crap glasses over our every day glasses??? Yeah I can just see that going over well. And lets not forget about the fact that people look like frikin retards with those glasses on.. So its not like your gonna sound or look cool while you are trying to impress your girl with the whole "hey baby, wanna come over and watch 3D with me.. yeah its sooooo rad"... You might as well put in the retainer and get pimples on your face again, and look like a complete dork like all the nerds in junior high, cause thats what your looking forward too if you buy into this crap.

timewind  » Sep 15, 2009

"Many have their first TV and are looking for their second. Many of those [for sale] will be 3-D-enabled" I AM NOT SURE.... $2000-3000 bucks for another large TV? mmmmmmm, can we exchange? let's say I give back my 42" 2 years old HD Bravia, add some money and get 52" 3D Bravia? I have only one room for watching movies. I think there should be some workarounds on this. 'cos I can't wait to watch real-D at home but will not spend another $3K for TV set. So I think this is the biggest issue.

Jimmy Smith  » Sep 15, 2009

You 3D haters are pathetic. Nobody is forcing you to buy new equitment or watch a movie in 3D. Every television and every Blu-Ray disc is fully backwards compatible with 2D. Don't like 3D turn the mode off with the press of a button. 3D has proven hugely popular in the theatres and I love that movies like Avatar now stand the chance of being able to be seen in 3D long after they have left theatres. Again you don't like it you don't have to buy it but alot of people like 3D and since its only an option I don't understand the haters.

GreatWhite83  » Sep 15, 2009
I love watching movies in classic form. It how films have always been shown and how they were meant to be. I couldnt imagine watching a classic western or a black and white film like Casablanca in 3d, it would be terrible. I love films in 2d and would never watch them in 3d, even if I didnt have to wear glasses. I would just love to see a 6k resolution blu ray on a 6k HDTV one day.

RedIsNotBlue  » Sep 15, 2009
So in other words the current technology is safe for at least a few more years? Sounds fine to me.

browinie  » Sep 15, 2009
3D hurts my eyes, even the glorious Avatar 3D footage at IMAX hurt my eyes. Please stop trying to figure out more ways to hurt my eyes.

vveksuvarna  » Sep 15, 2009
as much as i am excited for this news, i cant afford the hardware upgrades.

Gaz  » Sep 15, 2009
Yeah isnt it not a bit early for 3D i mean HD has only been heare for 10min lol

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