Makin' bacon - 5:45pm

Just in from Universal Studios are the full specs for the new special edition reissue of the family classic, Babe. This Oscar-nominated talking pig extravaganza features a new anamorphic widescreen transfer, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround tracks, an audio commentary with filmmaker George Miller, "The Making of Babe" featurette, an interactive game and theatrical trailers. Retail is $19.95, and a two-pack with the newly remastered Babe: Pig in the City will also be available for $34.95.

Also just announced from Universal are Law & Order: Criminal Intent - The First Year and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - The First Year. Each is a six-disc set featuring 4:3 full screen only transfers plus English Dolby 2.0 surround and French and Spanish 2.0 stereo tracks, English, French and Spanish subtitles and no extras. Retail is $99.95 each.

After years of requests, MGM Home Entertainment will finally issue a new two-disc special edition of the family classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on November 25th. Long available only in a pan & scan, bare bones release, this new 35th Anniversary Edition includes a remastered anamorphic widescreen version, a new documentary hosted by star Dick Van Dyke, archival cast interviews and a number of family-friendly extras, among them sing-along and read-along features, interactive games, coloring pages, music demos and a 32-page collectible booklet. Retail is $29.95, and the bare bones version will remain on the market for $14.95.

Boxed in - 5:45pm

Guess who's finally getting hip to the keepcase? Long a point of contention even among the most ardent of DVD supporters, Warner Home Video has favored the slim cardboard "snapper case" created and produced by AOL Time Warner subsidiary Ivy Hill. Roundly scorned for its flimsy appearance and lack of durability, Warner has decided to take the keepcase plunge on October 14th with the release of The Matrix Reloaded.

Fans hoping for a sea change at the studio may be disappointed, however. "We evaluate each product and its packaging configurations," a Warner spokesperson told Video Store Magazine. "For Reloaded, we felt the Amaray was the right packaging. There is no overall change in our packaging strategy. Future titles may be packaged in a digipak. We'll evaluate on a title-by-title basis."

But will the likely smash success of Reloaded on DVD help push Warner to reconsider the long-term viability of the snapper? Watch this space...