Early Blu-rays that may have playback issues (Criterion, Well Go USA, etc.)

[fdm]

Originally Posted by javi92

This may have been reported before, but my The Lady Vanishes disc stops playing at around 1:20:20 (I'm assuming that is where the layer change is). I cannot access any content beyond that point. No evidence of browning though.

Known problem, possibly player specific. If you have access to a different brand player, see if similar thing happens on it. (No problem on my Oppo as of a year or two ago, but I think this issue was evident pretty soon after original release for some.)

I just saw a post where someone said theirs played ok the first time, and later it didn't. So, yeah, probably just a matter of time for some copies...

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by javi92

This may have been reported before, but my The Lady Vanishes disc stops playing at around 1:20:20 (I'm assuming that is where the layer change is). I cannot access any content beyond that point. No evidence of browning though.

Just checked mine, and it does the same

Is it likely later pressings fixed the issue?

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Just checked mine, and it does the same

Is it likely later pressings fixed the issue?

Is this something that developed over time, or was this the first time you tried to play the disc?

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

Is this something that developed over time, or was this the first time you tried to play the disc?

I checked the disc played when I first got it, but hadn't watched it all the way through yet. I've emailed Criterion to see if they can do anything.

[mar3o]

Is there still an issue with French discs? I remember tons of French discs had issues and it was said it was a replication plant issue, but I don't know the details. Is it safe to buy new blu-rays/UHD discs from Amazon.fr or is still risky?

[BluProofie]

My Lady Vanishes plays fine, but I got mine from Criterion in the Classic Hitchcock boxset early this year. Might be a newer pressing.

[Torrente]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Is there still an issue with French discs? I remember tons of French discs had issues and it was said it was a replication plant issue, but I don't know the details. Is it safe to buy new blu-rays/UHD discs from Amazon.fr or is still risky?

The company (= QOL) which produced those defective discs changed its name (to MEDIA INDUSTRY) when it got saved from bankruptcy by KDG and then 2 years after that (on April 2016 approx.) they ceased to produce any discs and "only" deal with packaging and shipping services for french blu-ray editors now.

Still, it's totally a gamble to buy their released discs.
Here in France, we keep on discovering issues on a regular basis. And 70% of the time (if not more), it involves this company.
To find a complete list updated I suggest you visit this website: http://bluraydefectueux.com/liste-de...ay-defectueux/

However, to help you with your french purchases, keep in mind not all the companies are concerned by this issue. There is a "pattern" with QOL / MEDIA INDUSTRY as they mainly worked for very specific companies:
TF1 Video, M6 Video, EuropaCorp, Pathé, Gaumont, Wild Side, Aventi, Opening, Fip, Orange, UGC, and several discs for LCJ and Blaq Out too. Buying discs released between 2006 and 2016 from those companies can be risky. But, again, they did NOT produce ALL the releases of those companies so you should investigate first. There is a list of "safe" titles from them and some specifities... for instance the Pathé "Classique line" and Pathé "My Collection line" are safe, the discs Wild Side produced in collaboration with E-One are safe, and so on...
It's a bit complicated, I admit, especially if you're a foreigner and can't check anything prior to buying the titles you're interested in.

Hope I helped...

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Torrente

The company (= QOL) which produced those defective discs changed its name (to MEDIA INDUSTRY) when it got saved from bankruptcy by KDG and then 2 years after that (on April 2016 approx.) they ceased to produce any discs and "only" deal with packaging and shipping services for french blu-ray editors now.

Still, it's totally a gamble to buy their released discs.
Here in France, we keep on discovering issues on a regular basis. And 70% of the time (if not more), it involves this company.
To find a complete list updated I suggest you visit this website: http://bluraydefectueux.com/liste-de...ay-defectueux/

However, to help you with your french purchases, keep in mind not all the companies are concerned by this issue. There is a "pattern" with QOL / MEDIA INDUSTRY as they mainly worked for very specific companies:
TF1 Video, M6 Video, EuropaCorp, Pathé, Gaumont, Wild Side, Aventi, Opening, Fip, Orange, UGC, and several discs for LCJ and Blaq Out too. Buying discs released between 2006 and 2016 from those companies can be risky. But, again, they did NOT produce ALL the releases of those companies so you should investigate first. There is a list of "safe" titles from them and some specifities... for instance the Pathé "Classique line" and Pathé "My Collection line" are safe, the discs Wild Side produced in collaboration with E-One are safe, and so on...
It's a bit complicated, I admit, especially if you're a foreigner and can't check anything prior to buying the titles you're interested in.

Hope I helped...

Thanks for the detailed information. So would it be safe to buy a newer release from a big label, like say the French 3D/UHD combo of Blade Runner 2049?

[Torrente]

Oh yes absolutely !

[mar3o]

Hmm, the wink makes me doubt...

Sounds like "it should be fine, but...".

[Torrente]

Ahah no, really. Sorry, I didn't mean it that way.

As far as I can tell there are only a very small part of big major discs that have issues for now. If you investigate further through the website and forum I linked you'll see there are graphics and statistics... it's not even 1% of the faulty discs.
Really, it should be fine. Sony produces among the finest and most reliable discs here.

[mar3o]

Thanks. That makes me feel a bit more confident about ordering.

[rdandura]

Anyone having issues with Stalker? I got my copy this morning and it freezes around the 1:31:58 mark and acts up until 1:36:00 or something like that.

I am having a very blue christmas

[Sky_Captain]

I'd advise anyone with the original pressing of Face/Off to check it. Of the six items that will play BDs in my house, only my UHD player will actually boot the disc. I can play the movie, (which craps out after chapter 26), but not the extras. The menus freeze if I try that.

[neo_reloaded]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

I'd advise anyone with the original pressing of Face/Off to check it. Of the six items that will play BDs in my house, only my UHD player will actually boot the disc. I can play the movie, (which craps out after chapter 26), but not the extras. The menus freeze if I try that.

What's the IFPI number? The smaller one on the innermost clear plastic hub, not the one in the barcode area of the disc.

[wcrouse]

Originally Posted by javi92

This may have been reported before, but my The Lady Vanishes disc stops playing at around 1:20:20 (I'm assuming that is where the layer change is). I cannot access any content beyond that point. No evidence of browning though.

Yes, and I just discovered my copy of Summer Hours is visibly bronzing along the outer edge, plus it stops playing just beyond the 50 minute mark. I've sent it in to Jon Mulvaney at Criterion's Disk Replacement program in hopes they'll send me a new one. I went back and checked a few other Criterion discs from that 2009-10 period and, so far, they seem okay. Although, Summer Hours played fine the last time I watched it a year or two ago. Frustrating to think of discs in my collection slowly aging out of play-ability.

[spawningblue]

Is there a master list anywhere that's been kept up to date? If not, it would be great if someone started one! I tend to start these threads, but never have to time to update them, so maybe someone that has enough time to keep it maintained.

It could be a little more cleaner, possibly alphabetical, only listing the studio if there are multiple releases. And maybe only add it to the list once there have been multiple one reports/ confirmation, as one report could just be a faulty disc.

Anyone up for tacking that? It would be extremely helpful!

ie.

The Big Lebowski - bronzing, same plant as bronzing Criterions (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.ph...postcount=1558)

Che Parts 1 & 2 - bronzing

Cloverfield - bronzing

Die Hard 2 - missing DTS-HD MA track; Fox just sent out the same bad disc as a "replacement"

Halloween II (Universal) - original release has wrong credits; replacement offered

etc.

[neo_reloaded]

That is literally this very thread. Go look at the first post.

[spawningblue]

Originally Posted by neo_reloaded

That is literally this very thread. Go look at the first post.

Yeah, but it hasn't been updated since March. Plus, having them all listed in paragraph form is a little clustered, especially as more titles get listed with each company. And, you have to click on various thread links, instead of having them all together in one list.

It would be nice if I have an issue with a title I come to this thread, checked the first post and find out right away if there is a known issue. As of now if it's a Well Go, Criterion, or Lions Gate issue, I have to click on other threads. I know, it's not the end of the world, but would definitely be nice to have everything on one list, especially as more issues with certain companies arise.

[neo_reloaded]

There thankfully haven't really been many new revelations. Every once in awhile someone will resurrect this thread to say that they too have encountered a dead Criterion disc / early Lionsgate disc / 2008 Paramount disc, but there has been no dramatic new information.