News
November 13, 2009
Disney-Pixar's "Up" Released with Descriptive Video Service® on Blu-ray, DVD and iTunes
In May of 2009, the Media Access Group at WGBH created a Descriptive Video Service (DVS®) track for the theatrical release of Disney·Pixar's "Up" which made the film more meaningful and accessible to movie patrons who are blind or have low vision. The Media Access Group is proud to share the news that the DVS track for "Up" is included on the film's Blu-ray and DVD releases (available wherever discs are sold) and- a first for Disney, Apple and WGBH- as a digital iTunes release* available to download at:
"Up" with audio description on iTunes DVS describes, via narration inserted into natural pauses in dialogue, information about actions, costumes, gestures, facial expressions, scene changes, and on-screen text that viewers who are blind have low vision would ordinarily miss. DVS was developed by WGBH for television in 1990, and expanded in 1997 to movies screened in theaters equipped with WGBH's MoPix® technologies.
About Disney·Pixar's "Up"
Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. "Up" follows the uplifting tale of a 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.Where and how the DVS tracks for "Up" are available
Blu-ray
DVS audio is automatically packaged within the Blu-ray disc. Consumers can find "English Descriptive Video Service 2.0" as an option within the Audio Options menu on any Blu-ray version of "Up." Please note that versions of "Up" sold for the rental market (via Netflix, Blockbuster, Redbox, etc.) do not include the DVS track.DVD
DVS audio is automatically packaged within the DVD. Consumers can find "English Descriptive Video Service 2.0" as an option within the Audio Options menu on all DVD versions of "Up." Please note that versions of "Up" sold for the rental market (via Netflix, Blockbuster, Redbox, etc.) do not include the DVS track.*iTunes
When purchasing the movie from iTunes, please note that there are three options to choose from and one of these includes DVS. The DVS version (Up for blind viewers, audio description, DVS®) has description audible to all users. The standard version (SD) and a high definition (HD) version on iTunes do not include the description track.About NCAM and WGBH
The Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH is a research, development and advocacy entity that works to make existing and emerging technologies accessible to all audiences. NCAM is part of the Media Access Group at WGBH, which also includes The Caption Center (est. 1972), and Descriptive Video Service (est. 1990). For more information, visit The Media Access Group at WGBH.WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcasting producer, the source of fully one-third of PBS's prime-time lineup, along with some of public television's best-known lifestyle shows and children's programs and many public radio favorites. For more information, visit the WGBH Web site.
Contact
Mary Watkinsmary_watkins@wgbh.org
Media Access Group at WGBH
617 300-3700