Re: [NEWS] Some Warner Bros DVD releases suffering from 'laser rot'

On 2025-03-22 17:22:13 +0000, Nyssa said:

Your Name wrote:

 You might be eligible for a replacement ... if one still
exists (and possibly US only).
   Still Clinging to DVDs?
Some Warner Bros. Discs Have Started Rotting Away
-------------------------------------------------
You might be eligible for a replacement or a refund,
depending on whether your malfunctioning DVD is still
in print.
 If you're still hanging on to your physical DVD
collection, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
 Many DVDs manufactured by Warner Bros. between 2006
and 2008 have been hit by an issue known as "laser
rot," where DVDs simply stop working due to a rotting
of the layers, an investigation by movie review site
JoBlo reveals. So far, it doesn't seem like Blu-ray
discs or HD-DVD are affected.
 JoBlo highlights some of Warner Bros.' portfolio,
including its Looney Tunes Collections or its
portfolio of 30s, 40s, and 50s Hollywood classics,
which were never transferred to newer formats like
Blu-ray, meaning they could run the risk of
disappearing without a trace. JoBlo:
<https://www.joblo.com/warner-bros-dvds-dont-work/>
 Though collectors have noted the problem in recent
years, Warner Bros. recently acknowledged the issue
following JoBlo's report and has offered to replace
the impacted DVDs - but only under certain conditions.
 "Where possible, the defective discs have been
replaced with the same title," read the official
statement. "However, as some of the affected titles
are no longer in print or the rights have expired,
consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of
like-value."
 Warner Bros. encouraged consumers hit by the defect to
contact its customer support at: whv@wbd.com. If you'd
prefer to avoid the potential trauma of malfunctioning
DVDs altogether, check out PCMag's guide to converting
your old discs to digital formats.
 The era of malfunctioning discs may well be nearing an
end anyway. Many of the largest home entertainment
chains in the US have already decided to cut or
severely limit the number of DVDs they stock. Best Buy
made the leap to stop stocking DVDs altogether in
2024, while Netflix shuttered its DVD business in 2023
after almost 30 years.
   <https://au.pcmag.com/home-entertainment/110030/still-clinging-to-dvds-some-warner-bros-discs-have-started-rotting-away> 

 Oh, crap!
 I've got the whole 6 volume Looney Toons Golden Edition AND the
entire set of Babylon 5 series and movies plus a gaggle of
assorted movies all from WB. :(
 So even if I find one or more of these DVDs to be defective, the
only thing I'd get for my loss would be vouchers for whatever
they've got left on their shelves that won't sell?
 The chances that any of what I've got in my collection is still
in their warehouse (and wouldn't any leftovers probably be toast
anyway?) is slim to none. Especially the Looney Toons stuff that
was "Limited Editions."
 Bummer ^2!
 Nyssa, who guesses she'll just have to keep her fingers crossed
that *most* of those DVDs are okay since there's nothing really
to be done to get back what's been lost

In terms of the replacement, they might have gone through a batch of cheap / bad DVD stock when making them, and other versions from before or after that time are better.
*BUT*
It isn't just Warner Bros. DVDs either. Depsite the usual claims when they were invented that CDs and DVDs would last for hundreds of years, that was at best pure guesswork or at worst marketing nonsense. CD rot has been known about for quite a while now, even for discs stored in "ideal archival conditions" rather than just the back of a wardrobe.
If your disc formats are currently still working, then probably the best thing to do is make backup copies in case they start to go bad. Relying on the official digital services (especially streaming services ) doesn't work - they can and do remove stuff from their catalogues whenever they feel like it or can completely close down (as one company did not long ago).