DVD Collectors Face a Rotting Reality: How to Save Your Warner Bros.Discs
For many Americans, the satisfying thunk of a DVD case closing is a familiar sound. but for some collectors, a more ominous sound has emerged: the silence of a disc that refuses to play.If you have a collection of DVDs on your shelf, some recent reports might have you worrying if any of your collection has, in fact, rotted.
The culprit? A phenomenon known as “DVD rot,” or disc rot,a form of chemical deterioration that renders DVDs unplayable.While disc rot is a known issue that has affected various physical media formats for decades, a specific problem plaguing Warner Bros. DVDs manufactured between 2006 adn 2009 has resurfaced, leaving collectors scrambling to salvage their collections.
One such collector,Draper,estimates he owns between 5,000–6,000 films on everything from VHS to LaserDisc,DVD,Blu-ray,4K UHD and more. After frist learning about this issue,Draper told Archyde.com, “I did the mad panic check of every single disc, one at a time.”
The Pennsylvania Connection
Draper’s deep dive into the issue revealed a crucial detail: the problematic DVDs originated from a single, now-closed manufacturing plant – the Cinram plant in Pennsylvania. This revelation allows collectors to pinpoint possibly affected discs by examining the inner ring on the backside of the disc for a manufacturing label. Draper and others realized that this wasn’t a problem for every single WB DVD produced during this era, but rather those that came from one particular manufacturing plant – the since-closed Cinram plant in Pennsylvania.This matching element was discernible from a tiny manufacturing labeling system you can find on the inner ring of the backside of the disc, were the data is held (more on that below).
Identifying and Addressing the Rot
But identifying affected DVDs isn’t always straightforward. As Draper explained.“I found that even doing a scan or trying to do a digital backup wouldn’t always guarantee that it was actually rot free and that the only way to really tell for sure was to go through the whole disc.And not just the feature, but all the supplements and the menus and things, and also trying to figure out what titles did [other] people have that I didn’t but had gone bad.”
Did you know? humidity and temperature fluctuations can accelerate disc rot. Proper storage is key to maximizing disc lifespan.
So how can you tell if your DVDs are rotting? Here’s a breakdown:
Check the manufacturing Date: Focus on Warner Bros. DVDs produced between 2006 and 2009.
Inspect the Inner Ring: Look for the letters “IFPI” on the clear plastic inner ring on the backside of the disc. These letters,along with other manufacturing codes,indicate the disc may have come from the problematic Cinram plant.You may need a magnifying glass to see them clearly. Look for the “Made in Mexico” Stamp: If the back cover of the DVD case has a tiny blue stamp that says “Disc Made in Mexico,” your disc is likely safe, as those were produced at a different plant.
Test Playback: The easiest thing is to just put the disc in and just run through everything on ultra fast forward and then do the same on the extras. I know that sounds stupid, but that’s one way of doing it.”
Warner Bros. Response
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is “aware of potential issues affecting select DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2009 and has been working directly with consumers on replacements or alternate solutions for nearly a decade.”
The company urges consumers experiencing issues to contact them at [email protected]. “This is not a new issue. A website recently experienced this issue themselves and decided to write a story about it (since updated) and that has caused the latest news. WBHE has been working with consumers for nearly a decade when it was first brought to our attention. We have offered replacements when possible, or an alternate title when needed. Some of the discs are now out of print or the titles no longer licensed for DVD release. In these cases, WBHE offered an alternate title as a replacement.”
However, consumer experiences with Warner Bros.’ response have been mixed. Some have reported prompt and helpful assistance, while others have faced delays, requests for purchase receipts, and the unpalatable option of accepting an alternate title when a replacement is unavailable.
The long-Term Impact
The DVD rot issue also highlights a broader concern for physical media collectors: the potential loss of bonus features. Even if you get a replacement disc of a more recent release of a film, it may very well be lacking bonus features that were only on that earlier version, something Draper has encountered firsthand with films like Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.That movie was recently given a Criterion Collection 4K UHD, but the 2006 Warner Bros. two-disc DVD has hours of exclusive extras that have not been replicated – and Draper’s copy has rotted.
For collectors, this underscores the importance of preserving not just the film itself, but also the supplemental materials that provide context and insight.
The Counterargument: Streaming vs. Physical Media
Some argue that streaming services have rendered physical media obsolete. After all, why worry about disc rot when you can access a vast library of films and TV shows with the click of a button?
While streaming offers convenience, it lacks the permanence and control of physical media. Titles disappear from streaming platforms without notice, licensing agreements change, and internet access is required. As physical media enthusiasts frequently enough note, in the streaming era, keeping a copy on your shelf has become one of the only ways to ensure you can watch a favorite film or series whenever you want and without any concerns given how little stability there is regarding when and where titles are available online.
That said, the WB DVD rot problem points out a glaring trouble spot that can have you ruing the Pennsylvania Cinram plant long after its closure.
FAQ: DVD Rot Edition
What is DVD rot? DVD rot is a form of chemical deterioration that affects DVDs, rendering them unplayable. It’s caused by the breakdown of the reflective layer within the disc.
How long should a DVD last? Sony estimates that A typical DVD disc has an estimated life expectancy of anywhere from 30 to 100 years when properly stored and handled.
What can I do if my Warner Bros. DVD is rotting? Contact Warner Bros. Home Entertainment at [email protected] to inquire about a replacement disc.
Is DVD rot only a problem with Warner Bros. DVDs? No, DVD rot can affect DVDs from any manufacturer. Though, the issue is notably more widespread with Warner Bros. DVDs manufactured between 2006 and 2009.
Are Blu-rays affected by disc rot? There have been some recent reports about Blu-ray concerns,but beyond some examples in France,there really isn’t any heavily repeatable examples.*
