And then there were two... SpectraDisc redux (1 Viewer)

[John_Berger]

Looks like someone else is taking after SpectraDisc's idea.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/ptech/1...dvd/index.html

These discs play the information that is stored on them for a set amount of time -- eight to 60 hours. Then -- poof! -- the content mysteriously self-destructs.
Blaustein said the self-destructing discs are a good way to give customers a quick taste of music, movies or television shows. The discs, which are copy-protected, entice buyers to plop down money for the non-disappearing versions of the content, he said.

Yeah, right, until cerain studios realize that they might be able to make more money by continually reselling these DIVX ... er ... Flexplay DVDs that are frequently watched.

 

[Jan Strnad]

Way too many people buy DVDs to collect for this sort of scheme to displace regular DVDs. The failure of DiVX should've demonstrated to studios that consumers expect permanent copies that they can watch over and over for no additional charge...period.

If these self-destructing DVDs are cheap enough to manufacture that you could sell them for $4-5, then they'd have potential as a "rental" medium that didn't have to be returned. Since Blockbuster et al. make a good amount of change from late fees, I don't see them lining up to replace the current rental model with self-destructing DVDs. But it could be a viable option for other outlets that didn't want to hassle with an actual rental program.

Jan

 

[Brian E]

I could see them using this for Oscar screeners and promo discs, but not for some kind of sell through product.