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Sony Fixes Problems With New DVDs

Posted by kdawson on from the DRM-again dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Following up on reports that DVDs for some Sony titles were causing problems, Video Business is reporting that Sony has fixed the copy-protection problem on recent DVD releases, and will provide replacement discs to customers. The problem was with the ARccOS DRM system. The company issued the following statement: 'Recently, an update that was installed on approximately 20 titles was found to cause an incompatibility issue with a very small number of DVD players (Sony has received complaints on less than one thousandth of one percent of affected discs shipped)... Since then, the ARccOS system has once again been updated, and there are no longer any playability problems.' Customers can call 800-860-2878 to inquire about replacement discs."

10 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. So few complaints? by Biogenesis · · Score: 5, Interesting

    0.001%? Did they even ship enough disks in the first place to get such a small number of complaints as one in 100,000?

    *crosses fingers and hopes my maths is right* :p.

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    1. Re:So few complaints? by BlueTrin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think most of the people didn't even report to Sony.

      If a DVD was not working, I would just bring it back to the shop, the second time I would exchange it for another DVD (not the same movie).

      My 2 cents on what probably happened is that they did not count all the returns for these titles, they just counted the people who sent emails complaints or called their hot-line and who told specifically about the DRM problem so they could minimize the problem, which is alot better for them from a marketing point of view.

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    2. Re:So few complaints? by GreyPoopon · · Score: 5, Insightful

      0.001%? Did they even ship enough disks in the first place to get such a small number of complaints as one in 100,000?
      I can assure you that this is a gross underestimate of the actual situation. I'm guessing that Sony didn't get that many complaints because people were just beginning to track the problem back to them. I'm one of the people who was hit by this (with my Toshiba DVD player), and it was only three weeks ago that I was certain the problem was with Sony, as it was only the second DVD I had rented that had problems. I would guess that most people complained first to the video rental stores (like Blockbuster) or their retailer (Walmart), and then moved on to their DVD manufacturer (I know this was my progression). That would mean that most of the complaints have not yet really reached Sony, and they are just trying to sidestep the issue now.
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      GreyPoopon
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    3. Re:So few complaints? by mrjackson2000 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      CD standards are set in stone
      DVD standards seem to be set in jello

    4. Re:So few complaints? by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 5, Informative

      CD standards are defined and policed by one organisation.

      DVD standards are the product of a large collaboration between double-figures of large businesses originally, one of them being Sony themselves. There are now hundreds involved, and AFAICS there is no single group with the authority to take enforcement action is someone is abusing the "DVD" description.

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  2. I have the solution! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Instead of calling the 800 number, consumers can visit their local torrent site and download the movie for free long before the replacement disc reaches their door.

    Have a great day Sony.

    1. Re:I have the solution! by Rik+Sweeney · · Score: 5, Funny

      Instead of calling the 800 number, consumers can visit their local torrent site and download the movie for free long before the replacement disc reaches their door.

      Don't download the ISO though, otherwise you'll be straight back to square one...

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      Summation 2
  3. I have a simpler fix..... by blankoboy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    STOP buying SONY media all together. First they plant rootkits on the PC's of their loyal customers and now this headache. I vote with my wallet plain and simple. Any company that is going to be a pull these sorts of antics simply won't be getting any $$ love from me. People forgive and forget far too quickly and thus the big monster doesn't learn it's lesson.

    One lesson here: Vote with your Wallet and don't give your money to prick companies.

  4. ARCcOS DRM? by cortana · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Hm, what's this then? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARccOS says,

    The system deliberately creates a number of sectors on the DVD with corrupted data that cause DVD copying software to produce errors. Ah, so this is the corrupted audio CD debacle all over again. Thanks Sony, for making products deliberatly designed to malfunction. Truly Defective By Design.
  5. Warning Label by 91degrees · · Score: 5, Funny

    DRM will always cause problems with some older players that aren't designed to handle it. The industry has decided that they should warn their customers with a clear label that the DVD may not play on DVD branded equipment. The label looks something like this