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The One-Use, Self-Destructing DVD Returns

Posted by kdawson on from the renting-a-media-experience-while-polluting-too dept.

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.

6 of 561 comments (clear)

  1. They Are Recyclable by TheMiddleRoad · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  2. Advantages over rental by 91degrees · · Score: 5, Informative
    If you rent a DVD
    • 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.
  3. DIVX vs DivX by WaXHeLL · · Score: 5, Informative

    DIVX is the crappy circuit city DVD rental program. DivX is the codec.

    Case matters.

    --
    The troll with karma.
  4. Re:Why? by $random_var · · Score: 4, Informative

    Why would anyone do this when you can usually rent it for a week cheaper? Convenience. You can't get a rental at just any old checkout counter, because rentals require infrastructure to manage inventory, handle returns, late fees, etc. These things on the other hand can just get pushed out to retail locations same as any regular merchandise that Staples carries. And when you're standing at the Staples checkout, and get to choose between spending $5 to get that movie right now or open a Netflix account and wait a couple days to get it or drive over to Blockbuster... that $5 rental might look mighty tempting.
  5. Re:Heh, pirates ahoy! by infalliable · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  6. Re:Heh, pirates ahoy! by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Informative

    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.