I have never liked the idea of the self destructing DVD’s (also known as disposable DVD’s). Here’s how the thing works. The disc is actually red, covered with a chemical that activates once the DVD package is opened and is exposed to air. After anywhere between 30-48 hours the chemical turns the disk so dark that DVD players can’t read the information on the disk anymore and they become AOL like coaster. That’s it. You buy it, you’ve got less than 2 days to watch it, and then you throw it out. Ummm… this just needs to be said: WHAT A STUPID FRICKIN MORONIC IDEA!
We actually posted about this “new” idea about a year ago on The Movie Blog. So what brings it up now? Well, it seems like a neat little Christmas flick called “Noel” starring Susan Sarandon, Penelope Cruz and Robin Williams played at the Toronto Film Festival and none of the big distributors seemed interested in picking the movie up. So in swoops the Atlanta-based Convex Group. A distribution company that decides to only put the film up on about 12 screens nation wide. Why only 12 screens you may ask? Well, as it turns out, Convex Group also owns Flexplay Technologies Inc., the company behind the disposable DVD. So the master plan is to release the doomed movie basically direct to delf destruct home video.
This is a horrible idea. And it gets even worse. The USA Today wrote this:
The technology’s backers see it as an alternative for video rental stores and Netflix-type mail-based subscription services. After the movie is watched, the consumer tosses it into the trash, eliminating late fees and the cost of return mail — but creating a potentially large new source of trash.
The potential to add to landfills may be the least of reasons disposable DVDs have so far been a dud. The discs can be illegally copied and pirated, just like regular DVDs. And while they are made of recyclable plastic, consumers would have to mail them to a special center for processing.
Blockbuster Inc. hasn’t embraced disposable DVDs because it says it does not want to confuse its customers. Instead, the company has adopted a Netflix-like subscription approach to video rentals. “We really don’t see the idea going anywhere, ultimately,” Blockbuster spokesman Randy Hargrove said of disposable DVDs.
Who on earth woke up and thought “yeah, this is a great idea”?!?! What makes you think for one second that I’m going to spend $8 (Canadian) to buy something that won’t even last as long as a rental, when the rental is going to cost me $5? Why wouldn’t I just BUY the stupid movie for $7 more and keep it forever?
That’s corporate America for you folks… always inventing new ways to take more of your money without giving you anything of value in return. Look, I don’t mind getting screwed, but I at least would like to be taken to dinner first.
