This DVD will self destruct

in 48 hours

[pixel_juice]

Lots of interesting tech stories today.

I quite liked this one: self destructing DVDs [news.bbc.co.uk]

A DVD that, once exposed to air, will rust and become unusable in around 48 hours.

The upside - no more forgetting to return rentals and getting fines.

The downside - more rubbish for landfills/ more free coasters.

My opinion - whatever happened to 'built to last'? I thought DVDs and CDs were supposed to keep forever (within reason). So why are people putting so much effort into shortening their lifespan?

That said, I think a disposable DVD is singularly appropriate for a film industry dominated by disposable cinema...

[dmorison]

I sure hope that it is just the underlying surface that degrades and not the disk itself.

Imagine waking to find your DVD player written off because the self-destructing DVD you left in it overnight has disintegrated inside it...!

[vincevincevince]

i reckon if they were put into a bath of dilute sodium sulphite (10mM) in a sealed (e.g. tupperware) tub then they wouldn't decay apart from when you were watching them.

For stopping that decay as well, I'd suggest a small CO2 cylinder discharging into the innerds of the drive to keep an inert layer between disc and atmosphere.

I see a big market in techfixes for this :-)

[bcolflesh]

That said, I think a disposable DVD is singularly appropriate for a film industry dominated by disposable cinema...

Exactly - the American film industry has basically been unable to produce one quality film since the middle seventies.

The current sad trend is to cannabilize European and Asian films for their pathetic attempts...

Regards,
Brent

[miles]

I really dont think this dvd will be a big hit in the states. I imagine that unless all of the rental stores all go to these new fantangled discs. But Some of us Americans are good at getting around these self destruct uber discs. Besides you can still record to a vhs and give it one or two months and you will be able to get programs to circumvent the 24 hour process or at least let someone rip it within the first 48 hours.

[Marketing Guy]

I read about this on the BBC - the waste aspect was the initial problem for me, but I think there was mention of a recycling process. Not sure though! :)

Thing is though (I worked in a video store through Uni) - you rent a film and dont get a chance to watch it, so you take it back late and pay the fine. No big deal.

Now, you would have to buy another (and even if the disc is recyclable, the packaging goes in the bin!).

One good use that was mentioned though, is if you are, say in the airport with your laptop and some time to kill, then buy a DVD (as oppose to a book). But there's always the arguement that the book lasts and can be re-read or passed on to someone else.

Scott

[EliteWeb]

disney was worken on that years ago and tried it at blockbusters but it failed. i wont ever rent a self desctructing dvd.

ever see a self desctructing vhs cassette? :P

[Ally_Cat]

I would *never* buy these. We buy DVD's to collect - not just for one or two viewings.

[pixel_juice]

>>i reckon if they were put into a bath of dilute sodium sulphite

Apparently a sealed container in the fridge works for a while. That could make trips to the cooler pretty interesting ;)

>>but I think there was mention of a recycling process

As there has been with normal waste collection in the uk for some time. My local council recently got into trouble for just throwing the waste to be recycled in with regular stuff...

[krieves]

I could see using a disposable disc on an occasional basis. For instance, traveling. If they sold them at airports, you could buy one, pop it into your notebook watch a film of your choice in-flight and not have return it when you're done. The key would be price - in my mind $5 (or less) USD would be about right. It would have to be much less than a normal movie purchase. If they had the recycling bins at airports you could drop it off when you land or on your return flight.