Flexplay DVD's

[Ash]

I ran across a cool article about Flexplay DVD's.

Apparently through a chemical reaction, these DVD's will automatically erase themselves after a certain pre-chosen time limit.

Cool!

The article states that,
"The secret to Flexplay discs is an extra layer added to a standard DVD structure. This specialized layer includes a chemical compound that readily combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form a new chemical compound.
While the original chemical compound is transparent, the new chemical compound is opaque. When the layer is transparent, the laser passes straight through to the reflective layers, reading the DVD as it normally would. When the layer is opaque, the laser can't make it to the inner reflective layer, so the disc is effectively blank to the DVD player.

The disc comes in an airtight package, so oxygen can't get to the additional layer. When you open the packaging, the oxygen in the atmosphere starts a chemical reaction. The particular chemicals are balanced so that the reaction proceeds very slowly at first, during the "rental period," and then speeds up. When the reaction speeds up, the specialized layer goes from clear to cloudy. By varying the exact chemical mix in the this added layer, Flexplay can adjust the length of the rental period.



The airtight package slows the reaction down to the point that the DVD will remain fully functional for at least a year.

You can actually see the process at work in the disc. When you first open the airtight package, the disc has a reddish color. When the compound changes, the red color turns to black."


Go here to read HOW FLEXPLAY DVD'S WORK

What do you think of this cool new DVD technology?
Would you use it?



Post Edited (10-27-04 04:00)

[Andrew]

This is just the studio's attempt to make the DIVX format again.  If I buy a movie, I want the movie.  Plus, I detest throw away discs.

[Ash]

Andrew wrote:

If I buy a movie, I want the movie.

I believe it's supposed to be geared more towards rentals....not permanent purchases but I understand where you're coming from.



Post Edited (10-27-04 05:15)

[dean]

Whilst the technology behind this is pretty cool, I don't think it's really worth it.

It seems like an unneccessary waste of resources.  What's the point in having a take home rental that you'll have to throw out after a week?  What problems is this solving?

The environment loses yet again...

[Yaddo 42]

It does seem a waste of resources, all that so people can avoid returning the disc to the store. Won't there also be (formerly airtight) packaging or a case to toss out (or reuse)? Plus if you have to send or bring the discs to a seperate recycling program, I wonder how many people would opt to take part?

With the rise of programs like Netflix and eventually video-on-demand or legal downloads (perhaps on a time limit basis) I wonder how useful Flexplay could be.

[JohnL]

I dislike the whole idea of disposable DVDs. People won't bother to recycle them, the majority of them will end up in the garbage.

[The Ghoul]

This Flexplay DVD would be great for guys with huge porn collections and that still live in their parent's basement!! Hit the button and the disks erase.

[JohnL]

>This Flexplay DVD would be great for guys with huge porn collections and that
>still live in their parent's basement!! Hit the button and the disks erase.

That's what the internet is for! :)

[The Burgomaster]

This technology has been around for awhile (at least a year).  The first time I saw these DVDs was at the checkout counter at a gas station/convenience store.  I think they were charging about $5 for each movie.  To me, there is no point to this.  If you wait about a year, many DVDs drop in price to about $10 purchase.  After 2 or 3 years, the prices drop even lower.  You might as well wait and buy the damned thing instead of paying $5 for something that will self destruct after you expose it to the air.



Post Edited (10-29-04 05:34)