Disney Second Screen- Merch Girl’s pick for best new product from the D23 expo 2011!

Disney Second Screen is much more than just a product. It enables users to stream special bonus film content on either a computer or an iPad device while watching the film on a television. All you need is wireless internet, Blu-ray player/PS3, a participating Disney Blu-Ray film, and one of the devices listed above. For the demo they were showcasing the technology on the iPad, so that is what I’ll be referring to today.

 

Your first step in accessing Disney Second Screen is to download the FREE (yes, free!) app onto your ipad. Next, pick a participating Disney Blu-Ray disc and start playing it on your TV. You then open the application on the iPad device and boom! Instant access to bonus features from the disc, along with some exclusive content such as games, puzzles, trivia, and concept art that all magically sync up depending on which scene of the film you are in! For kids, this is a great way to keep them entertained and give them something new to see each time they view their favorite films. For adults and super Disney nerds like myself, it is really cool to be able to view concept art from different stages in the film making process, along with seeing exclusive behind the scenes footage. They had a demo set up at the booth for the Lion King, which I spent a lot of time messing around with. One feature I thought was really fun was called the “ink and paint department”. On the iPad, you bring up a photo of a character from the film, and can color them in, or learn to draw them by freehand right there while watching the film! Really a neat experience that many of all ages can enjoy.

 

The only downside to this technology is that there aren’t many films out yet that support it. Currently only Bambi and Tron:Evolution have second screen capabilities, and coming in October, the releases for Lion King and Pirates 4 will have the capabilities as well.

For more information you can visit Disneysecondscreen.com, which lists the films currently offering the service, and to see video demos of it in action! Disney fans won’t be disappointed!

Forever nerdy,
Lacey, the Merch Girl