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From: Nyssa <Nyssa@logicalinsight.net>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: [NEWS] Some Warner Bros DVD releases suffering from 'laser rot'
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2025 13:22:13 -0400
Organization: Logical Insight
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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