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

On 2025-03-22 23:27:05 +0000, Nyssa said:

anim8rfsk wrote:

Nyssa <Nyssa@logicalinsight.net> wrote:

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

 No, but you could rip them all now to prevent against
future rot.

 Argh! That would take a LOT of DVD blanks, plus the time
to check the original DVDs for already-present bit-rot and
then take the time to rip and copy the originals that still
have their data intact.
 Sigh.
 Nyssa, who hopes at least the Looney Toons she likes the
bestest are okay, like the Bugs and Elmer versions of
operas and the gremlin one from WWII

In most cases, burnable discs are worse than properly manufacturer pressed discs.
For backups, you're better to storage them on quality hard drives or SSDs, as well as multiple online storage services, and even then you'll need duplicate backups, regular checks, and transferring to newer media and storage file types that becomes available to ensure you can still actually play them.