I have heard the term "dvd rot" being bandied about in many posts. Excuse my ignorance, but what is that all about? What does it mean? What does it all mean?

"DVD Rot" is a condition that happens to a DVD disc over time. When DVDs are manufactured, a special bonding substance is heated and applied to one layer of the DVD disc, and another layer is pressed onto and combined with the layer with the bonding adhesive. This is what is called a dual-layer disc.

Over time, the bonding adhesive can weaken and eventually the two halves of the disc will seperate (either partially or completely). The disc is then, in essence, ruined and un-usable. This is referred to by the DVD community as "DVD Rot".

thanks for your reply mstorlie01.

What mstorlie01 neglects to mention is how its a manufacturing defect that causes it, and not every Dual layer disc can have this happen.

Yes, there are certain discs that are most likely to have them, but those are mostly older releases.

no such thing as "rot" for a dvd. it's delamination and effects some dual-layer dvds....but as mentioned....far from all. it's a manufacturing defect that has been ignored by quality control teams and many consumers. most would rather sweep it under the rug, while blaming others for being paranoid. typical corporate attitudes.

As others have said, this statement is incorrect. There is no flaw in the design of the DVD format that renders all dual layered discs susceptible to delamination. When it does occur, it is caused by a defect in the manufacturing process (either due to substandard/impure laminate, or a substandard bonding process). Generally speaking, a disc containing this defect will exhibit playback failure within one to two years of manufacture (not purchase), although there have been some rare cases where the failure was not observed for as long as three years.

It is important to remember, and thus bears repeating, that this failure does not affect all discs, or even all dual layered discs. The failure percentage has remained remarkably small, and, if anything, has declined over time (although it is not, sadly, limited to "older releases").