Although Disney has released a few titles on DVD, including THE NIGHTMARE
BEFORE CHRISTMAS and A BUG'S LIFE, they have not released their classics in
the US on DVD, preferring to back DIVX, a DVD competitor that was sold
through Circuit City retail stores. But now that DIVX is defunct, due to
the lack of consumer support, Disney is embracing DVD. Buena Vista Home
Entertainment will debut nine of Disney's animated features on DVD over the
next four months. Each of the titles will be available for a limited 60-day
time period, and most of the offerings will then be placed on moratorium
for up to 10 years. The titles include: PINOCCHIO, which became the
studio's first animated classic to be released as a sell-through video back
in 1985, and will be the first DVD release on October 26. 101 DALMATIANS,
HERCULES, and MULAN will be released on November 11. LADY AND THE TRAMP,
PETER PAN and SIMBA'S PRIDE (LION KING II) will be released on DVD on
November 22. THE JUNGLE BOOK and THE LITTLE MERMAID will be released on
December 7. All of the releases will be presented in their original
theatrical aspect ratios and in Dolby Digital or Dolby Surround sound.
Foreign-language supplemental tracks will also be included on all of the
nine titles.