September 09, 2003
Self-destruct DVD
According to CNN, Disney is supposed to unveil disposable DVDs today. Unlike rental DVDs, you don't have to return the disposable DVDs, and that is sure to expand the retail distribution channel. Yes, now you can stop by a corner drug store and buy a disposable DVD for $5.
I don't know about others, but I'm not sure I'd like the idea of having the disposable DVDs yet. First of all, I'm not sure it's enviromentally friendly. Second, what happens if the DVD is defective (i.e., ages prematurely)? So instead of 48 hours, you only get 24 hours. I can't see myself standing in line arguing with a drugstore clerk that the DVD really expired prematurely.
Besides, what'll be next? Disposable CDs, rental cars, TV's, or how about a disposable book--after 48 hours, it mysteriously vanishes (talk about recycling). Although my head say it's Mission Impossible Cool, my heart says I'm not ready yet.
Posted by Ken | PermalinkWonder how long it will be until some hacker develops a DVD reader that can read black-backed DVDs... or someone creates a chemical compund to reverse the color? Heck, with all those DVD copying programs I keep getting spammed with, why couldn't someone just copy the thing to a hard drive before it expires?
Best net -- don't buy them and let the disposable DVD die the same death DIVX DVDs did.
Posted by Mike Rohde at September 10, 2003 02:56 PMTo leave a comment or read updated entries, please visit GearBits' current site. Thanks.