Whereas WB informed us they might substitute all faulty discs, many readers report radio silence from the studio regardless of repeated emails.
A number 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 listing of DVDs affected comprises many titles which are out of print and almost not possible to exchange, together with many traditional Hollywood titles, classic WB cartoons, TV sequence, and plenty of extra. It’s a devastating loss in some methods as a result of one of many appeals of bodily media has all the time been its permanence. Whenever you purchase a movie digitally, you’re actually solely shopping for a long-term license. Bodily media was purported 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 can have a factory-sealed DVD, however it’s nonetheless affected by laser rot. Mainly, in case 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 simply 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 – to this point. VHS tapes, however, appear to carry up completely effectively, 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 wonderful, however one thing went incorrect through the manufacture of those dics, which got here alongside at a time when WB was simply essentially 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 lots 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 arduous to search out now.
The silver lining, if there was one, was that Warner Bros reached out to us and promised that they might do proper by their prospects, promising to exchange DVDs when doable, 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. Residence Entertainment is conscious of potential points affecting choose DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2008, and the corporate has been actively working with shoppers to exchange faulty discs.
The place doable, the faulty discs have been changed with the identical title. Nonetheless, as a few of the affected titles are now not in print or the rights have expired, shoppers have been provided an trade for a title of like-value.
Nonetheless, it’s come to my consideration that WB has been lower than attentive to the numerous readers who’ve contacted them by way of the e-mail deal with we got ([email protected]). I’ve obtained dozens of complaints from readers, whereas none have contacted me saying they efficiently received substitute discs.
So what’s happening? Was Warner Bros Residence Entertainment not critical after they said they might substitute the discs? To make sure, we had been NOT the primary ones to disclose that there was an issue. This was a recognized difficulty within the dwelling media boards for months earlier than we wrote about it. It looks like our story shone a selected mild on the problem, subsequently coated by Forbes, Morning Brew, John Campea, and several other different large 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 obtained again (in full):
Warner Bros. Residence Entertainment and its buyer assist companions will reply to all product inquiries. We recognize our prospects and thank them for his or her ongoing assist.
So, they keep they may reply to product inquiries (observe they dropped the half about changing the discs), however the individuals who have contacted me have stated in any other case. At this level, I’d prefer to open it as much as our readers and see if anybody has efficiently gotten substitute discs and even a solution from WB. We wish to be truthful with them, because it’s doable some readers have had success with the corporate. So please tell us within the feedback (or you possibly can e-mail me at [email protected]) along with your expertise.
