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View Full Version : Dvd Rot Question


dvdsrule
08-05-04, 05:28 PM
I was curious, I recently bought some 2 dvd slim cases and noticed that there was a stench given off from the cases. I keep the cases in closed plastic boxes. The stench is still there. My question is that would these fumes or whatever it is effect the dvds in any way? Or am I looking too much into this?

dvdsrule

gutwrencher
08-05-04, 06:54 PM
you wont get proof either way. but I say, since dvds are so damn fragile(thanks to quality control), I doubt it's all that good for them. but wont the stench just wear off in a while? I dunno....open them up(no dvd) and sit them in a cool breeze for a few hours? or wash them first?

if fumes really kill...then my Book of the Dead disc must be shot.-eek-

-wink-

indycohiba
08-05-04, 07:57 PM
Originally posted by gutwrencher
if fumes really kill...then my Book of the Dead disc must be shot.-eek-
-wink-

That sucker smells worse than the dead!

NEUMANN
08-05-04, 08:13 PM
Other than a few cheap early manufactures,there is no thing as dvd rot,goverment labs have tested them and said they are good for 40 to 50 years

gutwrencher
08-05-04, 08:58 PM
Originally posted by NEUMANN
goverment labs have tested them and said they are good for 40 to 50 years

-eek-

thats it...we're screwed. http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/contrib/ed/cry.gif

audiomixer
08-06-04, 01:09 AM
I'll be dead by then!!!

Randy Miller III
08-06-04, 01:55 AM
Originally posted by audiomixer
I'll be dead by then!!!
OK, I call dibs on your collection. :D

dgc
08-06-04, 02:11 AM
Originally posted by NEUMANN
Other than a few cheap early manufactures,there is no thing as dvd rot,goverment labs have tested them and said they are good for 40 to 50 years

It's a cover-up and a conspiracy...

MoviePage
08-06-04, 03:26 AM
Only 40 or 50 years? So I'm going to have to spend my retirement income on double-dipping for the same titles on some fancy-schmancy new technology? :mad: :mad:

Snowmaker
08-06-04, 07:54 AM
Originally posted by MoviePage
Only 40 or 50 years? So I'm going to have to spend my retirement income on double-dipping for the same titles on some fancy-schmancy new technology? :mad: :mad: By then, DVDs will have gone the way of vinyl records.

sracer
08-06-04, 10:06 AM
Originally posted by Snowmaker
By then, DVDs will have gone the way of vinyl records.

Actually WORSE than vinyl records... because vinyl records are still collected and played today. There are vinyl records 50 yrs old that still play and sound great. In 50 years I'll bet it will be difficult to find a device to play a DVD, if the DVD will last that long.

sracer
08-06-04, 10:10 AM
Originally posted by NEUMANN
Other than a few cheap early manufactures,there is no thing as dvd rot,goverment labs have tested them and said they are good for 40 to 50 years

Whether you want to call it "rot" or "a time-released manufacturing defect", it is real. It may not effect EVERY disc, or take the same amount of time to appear, but it is a fact.

On the other hand, if a government lab said they'll last 50 years... it must be true. Because we all know how accurate government agencies are. :lol:

garolo
08-06-04, 10:16 AM
PC Magazine recently addressed this. They attributed the delamination problem mostly to mishandling and storing of DVDs. They also noted that some recent manufacturing procedures may be partially at fault too. Heat, humidity, the type of hub the dvd is stored on, horizontal storage and outgassing from particle board may all contribute to dvd rot. If you have to bend your dvd to get it out of the hub, you may be accelerating the delamination process.

YMMV, of course.

gutwrencher
08-06-04, 01:22 PM
Originally posted by sracer
Actually WORSE than vinyl records... because vinyl records are still collected and played today. There are vinyl records 50 yrs old that still play and sound great. In 50 years I'll bet it will be difficult to find a device to play a DVD, if the DVD will last that long.

I have 6 working players at this time...and 4 still sealed in boxes. I'll always have something to play them on. when the times grows near...I'll buy 4 more.

PC Magazine recently addressed this. They attributed the delamination problem mostly to mishandling and storing of DVDs

mostly. no mention of the poor qc? thought not. why dont people start at the source? many of these defective discs were BORN BAD.....accept it.

gbub
08-06-04, 05:46 PM
I have 6 working players at this time...and 4 still sealed in boxes. I'll always have something to play them on. when the times grows near...I'll buy 4 more.

4 still sealed and you'll buy 4 more?! That's the oddest thing I've read in my 5+ years on DVDTalk.

I've never been a big believer in DVD rot. I think the way you remove it from the hub can cause 95% of the damage. So far I've also gone 5+ years with my first DVDs not "rotting", but only "real" time will tell.

RoboDad
08-06-04, 06:59 PM
Originally posted by sracer
Whether you want to call it "rot" or "a time-released manufacturing defect", it is real. It may not effect EVERY disc, or take the same amount of time to appear, but it is a fact.
You are absolutely correct. It is real. But, you are also correct in that it is a manufacturing defect. The reason this distinction is important is because it makes it clear that, although mishandling, improper storage, and perhaps even fumes can accelerate the delamination or exacerbate the severity of it, these factors can not cause it.

In other words, if a DVD has DVD "rot," it was born with it, and there is nothing anyone can do to prevent its effects from eventually showing up. On the other hand, if a DVD did not leave the factory with "the rot," virtually nothing you can do will ever cause it.

Originally posted by sracer
On the other hand, if a government lab said they'll last 50 years... it must be true. Because we all know how accurate government agencies are. :lol:
Well, I'm not even gonna go there... ;)

Fok
08-06-04, 07:11 PM
Well I hope my collection lasts a long time, I paid good money for it :grunt:

gutwrencher
08-06-04, 07:34 PM
Originally posted by gbub
4 still sealed and you'll buy 4 more?! That's the oddest thing I've read in my 5+ years on DVDTalk.



really? I said..."when the time grows near". maybe 5 to 10 years from now.....my 4 "still to buy" will be essential. I have a dvd player in 5 rooms....and sorry....even after the "still in the closet" ones replace any of these...it will be time for more. I like having all region and domestic back-ups for each. I hate waiting till the last bloody minute and I find being on the ball and ready wastes less time. it makes me feel better...cant really care about what anyone else does. you see...I'm not one of those who think my current and future library of dvds will be obsolete, just because of the next format.

I've never been a big believer in DVD rot. I think the way you remove it from the hub can cause 95% of the damage.


95%? now thats the oddest thing I've ever heard. your faith in qaulity control is mind-numbing.

clckworang
08-06-04, 11:44 PM
I can say that when I bought my first DVD player, about 1997 or 1998, whenever the first year of release was, I purchased Anchor Bay's "Dawn of the Dead," a flipper. True, the transfer was awful, but the disc itself played perfectly watching it when I first bought it. Fast forward a few years of having not watched it or taking it out of the hub, and when I tried to watch it there were problems in several places. I was able to watch the movie, I guess, but there were problems that weren't there before.

I also think that taking it out of the hub can cause damage to the disc. So my question is, why do so many studios make cases that leave the DVD in the hub so tight that you have to bend it some to get it out of the case. I always try to be very careful with my discs and prevent excess bending, but there are some cases that if I didn't bend the disc a little and put a little extra muscle to it, I would still have never gotten the disc out of the case.

On a maybe unrelated note, I also have a DVD recorder, and sometimes when I try to burn something on a disc, it will not let me and give me an error message. Point being, as others have said, some discs are just bad right off the production line and there is nothing we can do about it.

Pelayu
08-07-04, 11:09 AM
Originally posted by garolo
If you have to bend your dvd to get it out of the hub, you may be accelerating the delamination process.

YMMV, of course.

Ok. Please tell me somebody how I can take discs out of the Warner cases like those used to accommodate Looney tunes and harry potter? It took me 5 mins to extract one damn Looney tunes disc out of the hub. The hub system has those strange borders around the edges, so in order to hook the disc with your fingertips (without putting fingerprints of course) you just have to bend it anyway. I consider myself too much careful while handling my DVDs, but how on earth can I get them without bending them? You just tell me.

P.S. that's why I like amaray cases so much.

Abob Teff
08-07-04, 12:03 PM
Originally posted by dvdsrule
I was curious, I recently bought some 2 dvd slim cases and noticed that there was a stench given off from the cases. I keep the cases in closed plastic boxes. The stench is still there. My question is that would these fumes or whatever it is effect the dvds in any way? Or am I looking too much into this?

dvdsrule

Actually, the stench could be coming from another source . . . what movies did you place in the cases? Movies such as Gigli have been known to produce various offending odors.

PS -- You've been here since 2001 and you are only a member! Get on the ball and speak up more man! :beer:

chemosh6969
08-07-04, 12:07 PM
So basically dvd rot is what people call discs that stop working after not being handled or stored correctly?

So that would make dvds just like everything else in the world that won't be the same after not being handled or stored correctly.

I remember as a kid I would occasionally play with a toy and it would break. That must be toy rot.

Josh-da-man
08-07-04, 01:15 PM
Originally posted by chemosh6969
So basically dvd rot is what people call discs that stop working after not being handled or stored correctly?

So that would make dvds just like everything else in the world that won't be the same after not being handled or stored correctly.

I remember as a kid I would occasionally play with a toy and it would break. That must be toy rot.

No "DVD Rot" doesn't refer to discs that have been mishandled.

It refers to discs that become unplayable over time due to factors not related to handling.

What has yet to be determined is whether "rot" is something that will eventually claim a certain percentage of all DVDs, or if it's just a manufacturing defect that only crops up in isolated cases or certain defective runs of specific titles. Or if certain enivornmental or handling issues can accelerate the process, or even initiate it.

gbub
08-07-04, 02:28 PM
95%? now thats the oddest thing I've ever heard. your faith in qaulity control is mind-numbing.

I really wasn't trying to offend, I just found having an extra 4 DVD players unopened interesting considering so many people agree the current DVD technology will be outdated in a relatively short amount of time. I take it DVD is the be all, end all for you.

Your lack of faith in quality control makes me assume you know something about the industry's QC procedures? Telling us the DVDs are "BORN BAD" is a pretty strong accusation.

gutwrencher
08-07-04, 06:54 PM
Originally posted by gbub
I just found having an extra 4 DVD players unopened interesting considering so many people agree the current DVD technology will be outdated in a relatively short amount of time. I take it DVD is the be all, end all for you.



why would you say this? no...it's not. there is never an "end" to anything that can be upgraded through technology. I understand this. I'm just not one of the many who are killing dvd off in the next few years. I'm not ready to jump ship...not by a long shot. really....can we expect films like Seeds Of Sin and Contamination to hit HD-DVD soon? maybe....but I highly doubt it. some of them may not ever make it at all. so I could either just not have it, keep the dvd....or backslide to vhs. when the format does get here....the "big", obvious blockbusters will be the first to arrive. just look at dvd today. just now....are some of the more rare and un-popular titles hitting the current format. I know of more than a hundred faves of mine that still are not on dvd....maybe not for a year or two. the length of the wait will be no shorter for the next format either. how long has dvd been around? thats what I mean. also.....until most households upgrade their theater systems....dvds will be desired.



Your lack of faith in quality control makes me assume you know something about the industry's QC procedures? Telling us the DVDs are "BORN BAD" is a pretty strong accusation.

in my opinion...at least for a time...QC did suck at a few pressing plants. if a dvd is made poorly due to improper bonding or faulty adhesive....born bad is exactly what you get. it's happened at WAMO and Crest National and only more time will tell. those problems were with certian titles...which they seem to have corrected. at least...they say they did.-eek-

no worries mate....I wish both you and I all the luck and good fortune in the world. we as consumers....deserve the truth at least. lets just say my faith is growing a little at a time. I do not think my entire library of almost 1,700 titles will die anytime soon. but when you have that many...you should be concerned and voice opinions. thanks for the ear.:D

NEUMANN
08-07-04, 07:19 PM
Originally posted by gutwrencher
why would you say this? no...it's not. there is never an "end" to anything that can be upgraded through technology. I understand this. I'm just not one of the many who are killing dvd off in the next few years. I'm not ready to jump ship...not by a long shot. really....can we expect films like Seeds Of Sin and Contamination to hit HD-DVD soon? maybe....but I highly doubt it. some of them may not ever make it at all. so I could either just not have it, keep the dvd....or backslide to vhs. when the format does get here....the "big", obvious blockbusters will be the first to arrive. just look at dvd today. just now....are some of the more rare and un-popular titles hitting the current format. I know of more than a hundred faves of mine that still are not on dvd....maybe not for a year or two. the length of the wait will be no shorter for the next format either. how long has dvd been around? thats what I mean. also.....until most households upgrade their theater systems....dvds will be desired.





in my opinion...at least for a time...QC did suck at a few pressing plants. if a dvd is made poorly due to improper bonding or faulty adhesive....born bad is exactly what you get. it's happened at WAMO and Crest National and only more time will tell. those problems were with certian titles...which they seem to have corrected. at least...they say they did.-eek-

no worries mate....I wish both you and I all the luck and good fortune in the world. we as consumers....deserve the truth at least. lets just say my faith is growing a little at a time. I do not think my entire library of almost 1,700 titles will die anytime soon. but when you have that many...you should be concerned and voice opinions. thanks for the ear.:D


If i had your collection i would want to make sure that i had something to play them with long after they quit making regular dvd players and could see having a couple dvd players in boxes to make sure you always had something to play them with,but what i would do diffrently is wait until the tail end of regular dvds(much like we are in the tail end of vhs right now) and buy 3 regular dvd players as they start to quit making them keep them in a box,then you would get players with all the latest features such as 1080i componet upconversion for 40 bucks a piece

gutwrencher
08-07-04, 07:24 PM
Originally posted by NEUMANN
If i had your collection i would want to make sure that i had something to play them with long after they quit making regular dvd players and could see having a couple dvd players in boxes to make sure you always had something to play them with,but what i would do diffrently is wait until the tail end of regular dvds(much like we are in the tail end of vhs right now) and buy 3 regular dvd players as they start to quit making them keep them in a box,then you would get players with all the latest features such as 1080i componet upconversion for 40 bucks a piece

thanks, NEUMANN!! I also should have pointed out that a buddy of mine works at a popular store who sells gear....and I get HUGE breaks on certian brands of players. I got a Denon top-o-the-line a few months back for about $200. it sells for $500.:D so while he was still working there....I took advantage of stocking-up!!:lol:

nightmaster
08-08-04, 03:15 AM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by gbub
[B]4 still sealed and you'll buy 4 more?! That's the oddest thing I've read in my 5+ years on DVDTalk.

I think as the years go by and other technolgies seem to finally be forcing DVD off the market it won't be an oddity at all....in fact I've talked about it with a few other movie fanatics and they've decided they will do the same thing. When that time comes I'll make sure I have 4 of 'em sitting in the closet waiting for me to need/use them. The players have dropped in price to well under $100 for a good player that will last awhile-I can buy 3 players now for what I bought my first one for, and lots of people here could buy 5 players for what they can buy a new name brand player for. Why NOT stock up and set them aside if they decide to switch formats? I won't be changing media at the whim of the companies, and DVD is good enough for most of the movies I want.

Mongo
08-08-04, 03:43 AM
If the labs are correct and DVDs are supposed to last 40-50 years, is rot really a problem if what you're interested in is the content, and not the media?

At the current rate of hard drive progression, I'd imagine 20 years from now you'd be able to transfer all but the largest collections on to a single drive. Granted, by then we'll be buying our movies in another format, but with the ability to make exact digital copies, there won't be a need to re-buy movies you already own. (Once again, assuming it's the content you care about, not just a collection to show off)

clckworang
08-08-04, 04:20 PM
I have heard that when HD-DVD is released it will be compatible with regular DVDs. So you have four boxed DVD players despite the fact that it appears the next generation DVD player will be backward compatible?

gutwrencher
08-08-04, 04:43 PM
Originally posted by clckworang
I have heard that when HD-DVD is released it will be compatible with regular DVDs. So you have four boxed DVD players despite the fact that it appears the next generation DVD player will be backward compatible?

I've already mentioned my incredible "player deals". the one I shared was a higher priced deck....but if I can get a $150 player for $60...why the hell not. OR...if I must go further....they can simply be called "back-ups". nothing wrong with that what-so-ever.:D:p

Ruderic
08-09-04, 12:55 AM
I better start selling mine.

RickB
08-10-04, 01:00 AM
I think DVD's will last longer then 40 years. My 1985 Goonies soundtrack Cd will turn 20 next year and plays as great today as it did 20 years ago. I have VHS tapes that are over 20 years old and still play well. I remember when people said Cd's would never last but 20 years later they are still the main music format. Just because new things will come doesn't mean they'll take off. People all over the world have embraced DVD with open arms. They are not gonna be so quick to give up the format for something new. My guess is anything new that comes along it will also play regular DVD's,or people are not gonna warm up to it so well.

Jah-Wren Ryel
08-10-04, 03:24 AM
Originally posted by gutwrencher
I got a Denon top-o-the-line a few months back for about $200. it sells for $500.:D
Whatever player that was, it was not anywhere near Denon's top of the line, more like lower-side of the mid-line.

Their top of the line is the DVD-5900 with an MSRP of $2000. Second up is the DVD-3910 with an MSRP of $1300. Third is the DVD-2900 with an MSRP of $1000. With a street price of $500, I'm thinking you probably got last year's version of the DVD-2900 (DVD-2800?). Either that or you got a DVM-2815 carousel which has an MSRP of $469 and seems to street for around $325-$350.

gutwrencher
08-10-04, 09:27 AM
Originally posted by Jah-Wren Ryel
Whatever player that was, it was not anywhere near Denon's top of the line, more like lower-side of the mid-line.

Their top of the line is the DVD-5900 with an MSRP of $2000. Second up is the DVD-3910 with an MSRP of $1300. Third is the DVD-2900 with an MSRP of $1000. With a street price of $500, I'm thinking you probably got last year's version of the DVD-2900 (DVD-2800?). Either that or you got a DVM-2815 carousel which has an MSRP of $469 and seems to street for around $325-$350.

yes, yes, yes. but it's top-o-the-line to me...at this time. none of my players are listed over $500. sorry for the confusion.