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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.

12 of 561 comments (clear)

  1. Heh, pirates ahoy! by Xtense · · Score: 5, Insightful

    1. Buy cheaper disposable movie.
    2. Rip it to harddrive.
    3. Dispose of movie.
    4. ???????
    5. PROFIT!

    --
    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams [...]."
    1. Re:Heh, pirates ahoy! by Bios_Hakr · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you are going to pirate a movie, don't tip-toe around it. Just download the thing from the Internet.

      --
      I'd rather you do it wrong, than for me to have to do it at all.
    2. Re:Heh, pirates ahoy! by mybadluck22 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      1. Download movie for free

      2. Keep movie forever

      3. There is no step three.

      --
      If I could rearrange the keyboard, I'd put U and I together.
    3. Re:Heh, pirates ahoy! by Auckerman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Here's the funny thing. You OWN a copy of a defective movie. You have every right to back it up before it can no longer be read. It's not a rental, it's a purchase of a self destructing disk at a reduced price. In this case, it's not pirating.

      --

      Burn Hollywood Burn
    4. Re:Heh, pirates ahoy! by stranger_to_himself · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I also hear some people also have entire rooms in their house dedicated to the preparation of food - and even a separate room where they eat it, complete with sets of chairs situated around a table. Surely the end of the restaurant as we know it.

  2. Why? by jcd2025 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why would anyone do this when you can usually rent it for a week cheaper?

  3. Re:They Are Recyclable by YeeHaW_Jelte · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Flexplay® discs are fully recyclable and conform to all applicable EPA environmental standards. Flexplay has partnered with GreenDisk and local environmental organizations to develop several closed-loop recycling options to test with consumers. As distribution of Flexplay discs increases, Flexplay will continue to work proactively with content providers and recycling partners to broaden the collection and recycling program."

    Read: technically, we could recycle them, but this has not been important enough for use to develop. We have not come beyond some pilot programs that could have been tested by consumers if we bothered to actually implement them. We will keep telling you the discs are recyclable till people notice we're not actually recycling them.

    --

    ---
    "The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
  4. This is going to work... by Firas+Zirie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Oh, so you want me to pay you $5 for something that will self destruct in two days? Sure I'd be glad to... NOT! Who the hell came up with such a stupid idea? Why on earth would I buy this piece of crap when I can rent a DVD for less than that? This shouldn't even be legal and if it is then humanity is more screwed up than I thought.

    1. Re:This is going to work... by Spy+Handler · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Why on earth would I buy this piece of crap when I can rent a DVD for less than that? This shouldn't even be legal and if it is then humanity is more screwed up than I thought.

      So you're saying that having a less-than-brilliant business model should be illegal? As in, Congress or state legislature should pass a law banning bad business ideas? If so you're just as screwed up as this FlexPlay crap.

  5. Re:How's that different from... by zakezuke · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, how's that different from...

    1. Rent movie.
    2. Rip it to harddrive.
    3. Return it.
    4. ???????
    5. PROFIT! You get a case with what I presume has a decent cover.

    Rental $2.50
    Longbox $.50
    Photo paper $.25
    Ink - $.75

    To copy a rental could easily cost you $4. For an extra $1 I presume you get the case and cover. That's not so bad.

    --
    There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
  6. Ah, good old NewSpeak by BenBenBen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "FlexPlay"

    No flexibility, and after 48 hours no play!

    --
    The Slashdot Paradox: "100% Overrated"
  7. $5 by Floritard · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So what they're really saying is that they can profitably manufacture, distribute, and sell DVD movies for the low price of $5, even after paying some company to add their technology to the disc which not only doesn't enhance the consumer experience, but seriously degrades it. So why do they charge $20 for the other discs again?