The Gold and Platinum packages are 'additional items' to the DVD boxed set. We have not yet put these on sale as they include bonus audio and written material some of which is still currently being finalized.
So there is just one DVD boxed set and this is, as you say, available now for pre-order at the discounted price. We will be publishing the content of the Gold and Platinum packages this week so everyone can see what they contain, and these will probably go on sale at the same time the physical DVD is available.
Julian / KEYFAX NewMedia.

if u pre-order the dvds will u later have to pay for "the additional items" that will be with the gold and platinum packages?

thanks
-jal

The Gold and Platinum packages are self-contained and genuinely 'bonus' entities entirely separate from the main series. In other words, the printed script, individual WAVs to remix the new Alan Parsons track, access to live forum chat etc etc. Whether you pre-order the DVD or wait for DVD release the Gold and Platinum items will always be provided as separate items with exactly the same cost. We were hoping to publish full details on these before the holidays but we have been frankly overwhelmed - in a good way! - by the initial response, so this will have to wait just a few more days.

Julian / Keyfax NewMedia.

I pre-ordered the dvd set and had hopes of additional included material(s)...surprise! as is usually the case with a boxed set of dvd.
please let me know exactly what the additional content is and cost(s).
i am feeling a little tricked right now by this new information... i purchased the complete boxed set of videos not as yet finished and BAM ! it is not the complete set. and i need to fork over more $ for the "more complete GOLD set" or the "even more complete Platinum set".
sorry but it doesnt quite seem to be a good business practice now does it?

Very sorry for the tardy reply... just noticed this post unanswered. To clarify (well, hopefully), the DVD will indeed contain every and all videos made for the program, including some bonus materials. The Gold/Platinum packages are really more on-going 'services' for people who want to remix tracks, communicate with Alan on the forums, have a print out of the script etc. The DVD is completely self-sufficient and complete; especially with the additional materials that you can find on the site already in terms of Studio Stories interviews, background articles, and some source files.

We feel these additional packages will help keep the material alive and fresh. We could have simply offered an a la carte menu but it seemed appropriate (and simpler) to build them into packages. At the end of the day the Art & Science Of Sound Recording is a 'video series' and so please rest assured that the DVD boxed set does absolutely contain the full video experience.

"individual WAVs to remix the new Alan Parsons track"

Absolutely great !

"a print out of the script"

Cool for me who don't always get every spoken word... (if that's what it's about)

Count me in for those additional packages! ;)