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The One-Use, Self-Destructing DVD Returns
BonrHanzon writes "Looks like DivX (the stupid one, not the codec) has been resurrected in the form of Flexplay. Staples will be selling these movie disks for 5 bucks a pop at the checkout counter. The disks can be played in any DVD player, but a special adhesive will render the disk unplayable 48 hours after the package has been opened. As if our landfills weren't already overflowing with enough crap." The blog post notes that Flexplay has actually been around for 5 years; the Staples distribution deal is what's new.
Staples will be selling these movie disks for 5 bucks a pop at the checkout counter.
Why not just use Netflix then? Unless they are hoping for purely impulse buys, which would be better suited for buying DVDs then simply renting them.
http://flexplay.com/recycling/
You can recycle them. You can return them to the store you bought them at for recycling. You can even get a free mailing label and ship them to flexplay for recycling.
You can also shoot yourself in the face if you're dumb enough to buy this crap.
focusing on 2, is there any info on what adhesive they use? My guess would be once you get that you can figure out what it sticks to and dunk them in a solute more concentrated than the dvd and just use it as a cheep supply of DVDs
IranAir Flight 655 never forget!
There is a theoretical risk of you getting caught some way (RIAA watching torrent sites, etc...) and while I am sure that many of you would be happy to point me to "By using this software, all is encrypted... And this one tries to hide you completely... And this one tries to block all RIAA, etc. traffic..." type of solutions, let's face that without going through a lot of trouble, there is always a risk of some level.
These guys however brought a system with no risk of any kind at all.
- You have a limitted time in which to view it.
- You have to return it. Not everyone lives near a video rental store.
- you will be charged if the disk gets damaged or lost.
If you buy a self destructing DVD- You can buy it on spec and watch it some other time (these have a shelf life)
- You just throw it out when you're done with it.
- The maximum cost is the cost of a disposable DVD.
The environmental damage isn't as big a problem as people seem to think. Much smaller than takeout, and probably less than the waste from a day's food for most people. That and they're recyclable.The main problem is making people realise that this is a rental and not a purchase. When they own the physical media they think they own it. Prices are also a little high, but they don't need a vast number of customers. Just enough movie fans for stores to justify the shelf space.
DIVX is the crappy circuit city DVD rental program. DivX is the codec.
Case matters.
The troll with karma.
You mean DIVX not DivX!
Not necessarily. These things look like they arrive in some kind of vacuum sealed pouch which is probably held inside one of those tamper proof plastic shells that you have to cut open.
A bigger concern for these things is what you get for your money compared to a rental disk. Is it some crappy panned and scanned version of the movie? Does it have any features? Is the disc single layer or even less due to the disposable nature of the disc? etc.
- no DVD logo (may or may not play on real DVD players).
- disc contains a dye which reacts with oxygen to discolour it (either to red or black).
This is in the resin bonding layer between the two layers of a DVD-9. For DVD-5 it's in the surface coating.
48 hours is the "alleged" time the disc will last before being unplayable. Since this is a chemical reaction expect that time to plummet dramatically in hot environments. So, how are they going to deal with the howls of indignation from customers who open the thing, decide they don't have time to play it today, and find they can't even play it once (assuming their DVD player doesn't bork on it)?
Staples will back out of this one real fast...
Andy
If we have learned anything from the copyright cops, it's that you never own anything. Despite paying for it, and everyone other than the "MAFIAA" treating it like it was a "sale", they can (or at least try) to do anything they want with it and impose insane restrictions on it.
You can request a free postage-paid mailing label to return the used products (watched disks) to Flexplay. All they ask for is the UPC code on the back of the product. Boy, this looks like an idea with a hell of a lot of screw-U potential. Have fun, be young and drink Pepsi (and be sure to recycle that empty aluminum can, bro.)
http://www.flexplay.com/recycling/prepaid_label/
My absolute favorite in home theater atrocities are the ones where you find a flat panel mounted over the fireplace. I always want to mention what a bad idea it is, but just bite my lip as to not be rude.
The heat load isn't probably as bad as you imagine. We have a firebox (cast iron metal box with ceramic window for burning logs of wood). The firebox itself gets extremely hot, but the wooden fireplace around and above it remains at room temperature.
Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
Technically, they didn't lose the suit yet.
Their request for a summary judgment was dismissed, which means the suit will be fully heard in court.
Granted, the reasoning behind the dismissal does throw a pall on their chances for victory, but it doesn't mean it's a done deal.
Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
I have many customer's that demand the TV above the fireplace.(typically the wife forces this) and we replace the Set on average 13-14 months later. Most right after they have a long burn time with family over and notice the plastic is all melted and warped and or the set does not turn on anymore.
they fail fast because the current trend is to not have a mantle so now you have the heat rolling directly to the set.
It's the price you have to pay for being rich and trendy.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
http://www.solarfilmco.com/mirror-window-film.html
Might try something like that for your mirror effect. I doubt they make any that do that by default since one-way mirroring diffuses the light so much.
My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
Actual Chemical Process:
Wiki
PatentStorm
Interesting in a science project sort of way, but as a marketable product... one would think that there are better things we could be wasting our money and brains on.
- SoulMan "Drink Life As It Comes." ~ Gavin Rossdale, BUSH