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

[David M]

Originally Posted by Brent L.

-The only exception to this is, unfortunately, for people with OOP discs. They have absolutely no stock of any of the OOP titles anymore, and they have no options to print additional copies for replacements. They will offer some sort of solution for those people though, which may be another Criterion title of your choice to replace it.

If this ends up being true, it is a massive, massive blow to the argument that "backup copy" is a euphemism for "pirate copy" and proves that there are truly legitimate reasons to want to copy your discs.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Lyris

If this ends up being true, it is a massive, massive blow to the argument that "backup copy" is a euphemism for "pirate copy" and proves that there are truly legitimate reasons to want to copy your discs.

But the backup is vulnerable to the same issues as the original . I don't see there being much an argument anyway. Some people do in fact buy multiple copies to resell (not pirate), and there are a few who do buy it for display purposes and/or a backup. I would say that odds are more people who do buy multiple copies of a rare or OOP title are doing it for resale rather than archival purposes.

[David M]

But the backup is vulnerable to the same issues as the original :shrug;.

Nope. The lifespan of BD-Rs does vary, but backing this stuff up onto a hard drive in the case of future disaster would mean a new disc could be burned if necessary.

[Deep]

Originally Posted by nickersonw

Scanning three of my titles that show signs of bronzing for any problems

listed from most bronzed to least:

• Bigger Than Life
• Monsoon Wedding
• Howard's End

I probably went a little overboard, but I checked all of my Criterions (104 SKUs) and those three were the only ones that showed bronzing. After I finish scanning those three, I am going to scan other titles I own that have been mentioned.

It may make sense to start with the titles that show visible brozing but both copies of Summer Hours that I had problems with showed no signs of bronzing whatsoever.

I do have a BD drive on my PC. What is best freeware to use to do the checking and how long does each title take ? I am planning to check all of the 2009-2011 titles I own (which would be most of them) over the next few days ...

-D

[neo_reloaded]

Does anyone have a working copy of Summer Hours? For that particular title alone, it seems like everyone has a bad copy.

[d514]

Well, good news that all defective discs will be replaced if not OOP.


I still think the IFPI codes are a good way to narrow down which discs are and will be affected by this issue. With the HD DVD issue all affected discs came from "WEA Manufacturing Olyphant" pressing plant. Newer discs that came from there and still worked stopped working a few months later. Warner also said that the defects were caused by some chemicals in the disc cases but other users have confirmed that there is no connection to this because discs in other cases were affected, too. That's why I don't buy the story with the booklet as the cause for this issue.

This is the most complete IFPI list that I know of:
http://www.musik-sammler.de/wiki/ind...tle=IFPI-Codes

It's in German but I don't think that's a big problem. Just check the list and skip the introduction.

Some of you already have posted some codes. But there seem to be a few who just posted the mastering code, not the code from the pressing plant. As said before, it's very close to the center of the disc in the transparent plastic. It can only be seen if you shine a bright light at the right angle on it.

Fortunately I have none of the discs on the list. The 3 Criterions I checked (Dazed and confused, World on a wire, Blue is the warmest color) all have an IFPI code starting with "OW". The list doesn't know which plant it is, but it's in the US. But this doesn't matter that much. The important thing is, that every discs starting with "OW" comes from the same manufacturer.

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Chungking Express - IFP L321 (Second printing on the cover)
Days of Heaven - IFP L324 (FP on the cover)
Vivre Sa Vie - IFP L325 (FP on the cover)

I gather this L32* code indicates a recent "matrix", therefore it should be "safe".

These are all mastering codes I think. There is no way to determine the manufacturer from this. But the mastering seems to be done by "Sony DADC US (DIDX)".

Originally Posted by Trace17

Both of my defective discs were LB42.

Are you sure it's not L842? LB** is not on the list (but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist). L8** points to "Advanced Duplication Services USA", "Copycats Media USA" and "AGMW (AudioGraphic Masterworks, LLC)". There's also an URL for this that seems to be offline: "www.replicator.ru". Russia? Offline? If they don't exist anymore maybe they have produced a lot of defective discs.

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Kes, The Killing, La Jetee, Judex and Nashville. They ALL feature L321, L322, L323 or L325 (sometimes the "blue code" and the "golden code" are the same). So, I think we can be almost certain that the defective discs feature LB** or L0**. BUT some other verifications would be appreciated...

L32* once again points to "Sony DADC US (DIDX)" - but mastering, NOT pressing! As said before, LB is not on the list, only L8.

Originally Posted by rdodolak

I just scanned my Gomorrah disc with VSO Inspector and it came back 100% good. Disc was purchased in Nov 2010.

Mastering SID Code: L021
Mould SID Code: 10L0

10** points to Sonopress USA.

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Here is what i found after checking SID codes on various titles, i have yet to check them all:

Mar 24 2009--The 400 Blows--------------L322
Oct 20 2009--Monsooon Wedding---------L021
Jan 26 2010--Paris, Texas-----------------L323
Mar 23 2010--Days of Heaven-------------L323
Apr 20 2010--Vivre sa Vie-----------------LB42
Apr 20 2010--Summer Hours--------------LB42
May 11 2010--M----------------------------LB42
May 18 2010--Walkabout------------------LB42
May 25 2010--Stagecoach-----------------L021
Jun 22 2010--Red Desert------------------L324
Jul 20 2010--Red Shoes-------------------L324
Jul 20 2010--Black Narcissus--------------L324
Jul 27 2010--The Secret of the Grain-----L322
Aug 17 2010--Black Orpheus--------------L325
Mar 25 2014--The Freshman---------------L324

Most of these look like mastering codes or are not on the list.

Originally Posted by Dan8700

Days of Heaven: L324 L325; QWY9 (Mould) - OK
Vivre Sa Vie: L325 L 325; QWY9 (Mould) - OK
Chungking Express: L 325 L 321; QWY8 (mould) - OK

QW** is not on the list. Maybe it's QM**?

Originally Posted by tenia

(Name / Mould / Master)

Kagemusha / 10K7 /
Jimi plays at Monterey / 10K8 /
Monterey Pop / 10K7 /
A Christmas Tale / 10K6 /
Gimme Shelter / 10K7 /
Chungking Express / QWY9 / L321
8 1/2 / 10K6 / LB42
Bigger Than Life / 10K6 / LB42
Days of Heaven / /
Yojimbo / 10K6 / LB42
Sanjuro / 10K6 / LB42
Vivre sa vie / QWY9 / L325
Walkabout / 10K6 / LB42
Stagecoach / 10K6 /
Brakhage Vol 1 / QMY6 ? / L323
Brakhage Vol 2 D1 / QMYM / L324
Brakhage Vol 2 D2 / QWZ2 / L324

And for the fun :
Ride With The Devil / 10K6 / LB42

10** once again points to Sonopress.
QM** could be crimson-ceremony.net USA.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Lyris

Nope. The lifespan of BD-Rs does vary, but backing this stuff up onto a hard drive in the case of future disaster would mean a new disc could be burned if necessary.

Oh, my mistake, I thought you were talking about people buying a 2nd physical copy of the movie and the argument that they're just doing it to flip, etc..rather than truly for archival reasons. We're not really supposed to discuss ripping BD's on here

[SolidRaider]

Only the Seveneth Seal has that fade/problem in my collection from that list. I'm going to check some of the first Criterions I bought.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by d514

Are you sure it's not L842? LB** is not on the list (but that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist). L8** points to "Advanced Duplication Services USA", "Copycats Media USA" and "AGMW (AudioGraphic Masterworks, LLC)". There's also an URL for this that seems to be offline: "www.replicator.ru". Russia? Offline? If they don't exist anymore maybe they have produced a lot of defective discs.

There was another wikipedia link yesterday that had LB mastering codes, and they were from Sonopress too.

I wasn't able to read any of the mould codes, seems to be completely transparent i can barely see there is something there

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by wormraper

mentioned it last nigh.. mine is starting to bronze... it still plays, but hiccups a few times

Added Bigger Than Life.

[Brian81]

Maybe I was looking at the wrong numbers, but KAGEMUSHA, PLAYTIME, REPULSION, FOR ALL MANKIND, LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD, and THE SEVENTH SEAL discs of mine are all "L021". Did not notice any bronzing on any of them.

Speaking of KAGEMUSHA, weren't people having issues with that disc early on and some had to get replacements? I don't remember what the issues were, I just remember having to test my disc at some point to make sure it worked.


I did write some down:


M - L321 / QWZT

8 1/2 - LB42 / 10K7
Howards End - L021 / 10K6
Pierrot Le Fou - L021 / 10K6
Kagemusha - L021 / 10K7
Playtime - L021 / 10K6
Repulsion L021 / 10K7
For All Mankind - L021 / 10K6
Last Year At Marienbad - L021 / 10K7
The Seventh Seal - L021 / 10K6

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - LV79 / KKMJ

The Wages of Fear - NOTHING LISTED / 10K6


(newest to oldest of titles before ITROTS):

400 Blows - L323 / QWXI
The Last Metro - L323 / QWYD
El Norte - L323 / QWYK
The Last Emperor - L323 / QWYE
Man Who Fell To Earth - L323 / QWYS
The Third Man - L323 / QWZ2
Chungking Express - DID NOT CHECK
Bottle Rocket - L322 / QWX8

(oldest to newest of titles after STAGECOACH):

Red Desert - L323 / QWXM
Red Shoes - L324 / QWYU
Breathless - L325 / QWYD
Seven Samurai - L322/325/323 / QWZI and QWXI
Paths of Glory - L325 / QWYD
Modern Times - L324 / QWZ9
-Night of the Hunter - L322 and 324
America: Lost and Found - DID NOT CHECK
Videodrome - L323 / QWYG
Army of Shadows - L321 / QWYN
Shock Corridor - DID NOT CHECK
Double Life of Veronique - L324 / QWY8
Senso - L322 / QWYR
Sweet Smell of Success - DID NOT CHECK
Le Cercle Rouge - L325 / QWZQ
Blow Out - DID NOT CHECK
Diabolique - L325 / QWXJ


Maybe these numbers don't mean anything, it looks like my copies that have those two sets of characters (L021 and LB42) are just between SEVENTH SEAL and M for ones that I own.

I just saw a posting about PATHS OF GLORY bronzing, so maybe this was an giant waste of time.


UPDATED with the codes on the plastic for the titles which had the L021 or LB42.

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by LPMA

I'm quite disappointed at the response they gave concerning the OOP titles. I understand that stance, and it would make sense if it was only affecting a person here and there. However, if it really is a widespread issue affecting many, I hope they reevaluate their options and consider negotiating a deal for replacement purposes. While I'm no legal expert, I would think that's feasible.

I think if it is at all possible to get the rights back on the OOP titles they definitely would do it. The Man Who Fell to Earth is rumored to be coming back in print.

I think what CC could offer is (1) Free blu-ray and in the event of the title going back in print the customer would get it on blu-ray for free. I think that's fair because a given OOP title may never come back into print.

[rdandura]

I couldn't tell anything about bronzing on his copy of Paths Of Glory. Maybe some stuff on the inner ring, but I think we don't need to worry.

[nickersonw]

Originally Posted by nickersonw

I fast forwarded through it and didn't notice any problems. I am scanning it now and so far it is all good at 87.5%

It isn't as bad as some of the pictures I've seen posted. I've tried getting a picture of it but it isn't showing up to well.

My copy of Bigger than Life didn't have any problems when scanning it is VSO

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by richard_t

My copy of Kubrick's Paths of Glory appears to have the brown staining around the inside of the disk. Not had chance to try playing it yet.

https://twitter.com/uk_cinephile/sta...69450711232512

Originally Posted by Brian81

I just saw a posting about PATHS OF GLORY bronzing, so maybe this was an giant waste of time.

Thing is, is the data part of the disc affected? If the bronzing is near the inner ring behind the barcodes, the data should be okay (at least for now).

[Clark Kent]

We need to start assessing the real damage to our collections. Would someone post a complete list of out-of-print Criterion BDs. I've never even watched my copy of Howards End.

[rdandura]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

I think if it is at all possible to get the rights back on the OOP titles they definitely would do it. The Man Who Fell to Earth is rumored to be coming back in print.

I think what CC could offer is (1) Free blu-ray and in the event of the title going back in print the customer would get it on blu-ray for free. I think that's fair because a given OOP title may never come back into print.

I agree. Pierrot is the only OOP copy of relevance that I have; there's no bronzing on mine and plays fine, but I can't trust it anymore. I really hope that one comes back in print cause I'm not going to import for that one.

[Truewitt]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

Oh, my mistake, I thought you were talking about people buying a 2nd physical copy of the movie and the argument that they're just doing it to flip, etc..rather than truly for archival reasons. We're not really supposed to discuss ripping BD's on here

Well, we can refer to it as Managed Copy then. No one can really have an issue with that term since it is part of the BD spec.

[Jett Rink]

Am I the only one that feels people are blowing this way out of proportion? I mean, life is unfair and all. I usually accept what is handed to me be it a defective disc or something else.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

We need to start assessing the real damage to our collections. Would someone post a complete list of out-of-print Criterion BDs. I've never even watched my copy of Howards End.

http://www.criterion.com/lists/13869...erion-blu-rays

The Melvilles appear to be safe for now.