Whereas WB instructed us they’d substitute all faulty discs, many readers report radio silence from the studio regardless of repeated emails.
A couple of weeks in the past, we dropped what turned out to be a bombshell story right here on JoBlo. As I wrote beforehand, nearly each DVD manufactured by Warner Bros between 2006-8 is unplayable now. The checklist of DVDs affected incorporates many titles which are out of print and almost unimaginable to switch, together with many traditional Hollywood titles, classic WB cartoons, TV sequence, and lots of extra. It’s a devastating loss in some methods as a result of one of many appeals of bodily media has at all times been its permanence. If you purchase a movie digitally, you’re actually solely shopping for a long-term license. Bodily media was imagined to be completely different, however now it seems that discs are very liable to laser rot, the place not solely will a DVD primarily “go bad” sooner or later, however there’s nothing you are able to do about it. You could possibly have a factory-sealed DVD, however it’s nonetheless affected by laser rot. Mainly, when you have a DVD manufactured by WB between 2006-8, it’s an costly coaster now. The identical goes for HD-DVDs, though I doubt anybody is just too damaged up about that.
Worse than that, it appears Blu-rays are additionally considerably liable to laser rot, though to not the identical extent, and it’s not as particular a problem – thus far. VHS tapes, then again, appear to carry up completely properly, as do compact discs. Why are DVDs affected? It has one thing to do with the layering, however at any fee you possibly can be taught extra about it right here. Normally a DVD ought to maintain up simply nice, however one thing went unsuitable in the course of the manufacture of those dics, which got here alongside at a time when WB was simply probably the most prolific disc manufactures, because it was round this time that they actually opened up their vaults For me, the most important loss must be the truth that all of the superb field units they put out, together with most of their well-known Movie Noir ones, now not have playable discs. WB has points most of the titles digitally or by way of the Warner Archive on Blu-ray, however they’ve additionally misplaced the rights to many titles, that are laborious to seek out now.
The silver lining, if there was one, was that Warner Bros reached out to us and promised that they’d do proper by their prospects, promising to switch DVDs when attainable, and if the movies didn’t occur to be in print, they’d provide prospects one thing of equal worth. Right here is their official assertion:
Warner Bros. House Entertainment is conscious of potential points affecting choose DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2008, and the corporate has been actively working with shoppers to switch faulty discs.
The place attainable, the faulty discs have been changed with the identical title. Nevertheless, as a number of the affected titles are now not in print or the rights have expired, shoppers have been provided an alternate for a title of like-value.
Nevertheless, it’s come to my consideration that WB has been lower than aware of the numerous readers who’ve contacted them by way of the e-mail tackle we got ([email protected]). I’ve acquired dozens of complaints from readers, whereas none have contacted me saying they efficiently acquired alternative discs.
So what’s occurring? Was Warner Bros House Entertainment not critical once they acknowledged they’d substitute the discs? To make sure, we have been NOT the primary ones to disclose that there was an issue. This was a identified situation within the residence media boards for months earlier than we wrote about it. It looks as if our story shone a selected gentle on the problem, subsequently lined by Forbes, Morning Brew, John Campea, and several other different huge retailers.
To provide WBV an opportunity to have their say, I reached out to the identical contact who despatched me their preliminary response. Right here’s the assertion I acquired again (in full):
Warner Bros. House Entertainment and its buyer assist companions will reply to all product inquiries. We respect our prospects and thank them for his or her ongoing assist.
So, they preserve they’ll reply to product inquiries (be aware they dropped the half about changing the discs), however the individuals who have contacted me have mentioned in any other case. At this level, I’d wish to open it as much as our readers and see if anybody has efficiently gotten alternative discs and even a solution from WB. We wish to be honest with them, because it’s attainable some readers have had success with the corporate. So please tell us within the feedback (or you possibly can electronic mail me at [email protected]) together with your expertise.
