I have received a number of DVDs as gifts, and since the buyer is an avid Wal-Mart shopper, I know that many of them have come from there.

What I've noticed about some of the two-disc Amaray cases in which these gift DVDs have come is that the "flip tray"--the part that holds the first disc--is of a different design.

Typically, the flip tray connects to the case via hinges, and positions the disc so it faces you as you open the case. You swing the flip tray over like a page in a book to see the second disc.

But this alternate design, while using hinges, also connects by something attached to the inside spine, and it's oriented so the first disc faces the second when the case is closed. Looks like the idea behind it is to lay both discs out before your eyes at once when you open the case.

I've discovered this alternate design with Finding Nemo (copies from Best Buy featured the typical flip tray design), Shrek, and most recently with Minority Report. As far as I know, all of these DVDs have come from Wal-Mart. Is this alternate style of packaging something that only Wal-Mart uses? They have the typical style, too, but I've not seen the alternate kind used anywhere else.

Honestly, I prefer the typical style. Feels like a neater, better assembled package. The alternate design looks more awkward, and doesn't operate as nicely in my opinion.

--THX

I don't think so, maybe, but i've seen those designs your talking about in almost all of the disney platinum movies, lion king, and nemo come to mind.

i would say not exclusively. i've never bought a dvd at walmart and definitely have a few of what you're describing in my collection.

Was at Best Buy today, and I confirmed that the Alternate Design is not a Wal-Mart exclusive. They had three copies of Shrek - Special Edition, two of which were Alternate. (I can tell the difference by giving the package a little shake and hearing how the contents shift inside.)

There are actually two Alternate Designs that I've seen. Shrek has one that uses no hinges; it connects in one place to the spine of the Amaray case. Minority Report does have hinges, but the disc is still positioned so it faces its companion in the back of the case.

I like consistency, and for the sake of it, I don't think much of either alternative. But also, as I mentioned in my original post, the Typical Design (first disc facing away from the second; see the Spider-Man and Star Wars prequel releases for examples) just looks nicer. In my opinion, of course.

--THX

i have a few of those cases, where the holder on the hinge faces the disc towards the other disc.. i'm just guessing it's another manufacturer, another design that sometimes is used.

The studios often contract various case manufacturers and use different models & styles depending on availablity, so it's not unusual to see the same DVD offered in different cases, especially with multiple pressings. For instance, Amaray (one of the more popular case brands which is owned by the Nexpak company), offers several different models of Slim-double cases (and even different styles of the same models). It works just like cars: You have the General Motors Company which owns the Chevrolet brand (among many others) and they have various models like Corvette, Impala, Malibu, Tahoe, Silverado, etc. Then each of those models goes through different style changes over the years). Here are a couple of examples of different Amaray models: