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

[jscoggins]

iScottie, I added this note to the OP:

"The discs become unplayable at different times. Some won't load at all. Some will load the main menu but nothing else. If a movie plays, it may fail anytime between 45 and 75 minutes (at the layer change). Specifically with Stagecoach, the movie might be problem-free, but the Bucking Broadway special feature skips or freezes."

[ShellOilJunior]

Just a heads up. Criterion will most likely ship your replacement disc(s) back in a cardboard mailer that snuggly fits the disc. I've had two sent to me in the past and they still arrive in perfect condition.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by ShellOilJunior

Just a heads up. Criterion will most likely ship your replacement disc(s) back in a cardboard mailer that snuggly fits the disc. I've had two sent to me in the past and they still arrive in perfect condition.

That's fairly standard across the industry. Paramount used a cardboard mailer to send out TNG S1 replacement discs.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Based on their email, there is no way to be sure, they certainly did not say that, but also didn't say the replacement would be the same film

"All of these titles have since been re-pressed at a different pressing plant"

and:

"If you have found that your Blu-ray copy of one of these titles does not play, please send your disc in to the following address for a replacement"

Keep in mind that it's not completely unlikely that Criterion has copies of Howards End and Pierrot le fou stashed away somewhere. When they lose the rights to a title, they lose the rights to sell copies of it. If their license for a title expires on, let's say, March 31st, they have to stop offering copies for sale on that date. If they still have 500 copies of that title warehoused, tough luck -- they either have to keep them warehoused or destroy them. Maybe they kept them warehoused to use as replacement copies if such were ever needed.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by iScottie

By the way, is it possible for some discs that have the code will not be affected at all?

My copies of five of the "problem" titles (four with the L021 SID, and one with the LB42 SID) all passed a sector scan and file check with no errors. Two produced warnings, but rescans were completely clean.

On edit: And none of them show signs of bronzing.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by GxyExpress999

I can't seem to find the mastering code. These look and play fine so far.

Pierrot le Fou
Inner: CC1840BD L1 DO 22 A01
Mould: 10K6

Howards End
Inner: CC1841BD L1 DO 26 A01
Mould: 10K6

In both these cases, the mastering code is in very small print just to the left of the catalog number (the "CC184xBD").

[Clark Kent]

I have many Well Go discs but most have gone unseen. My copy of Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen was fine as recently as eight months ago, I haven't played it since to check if it is indeed unplayable.

[GxyExpress999]

Originally Posted by jayembee

In both these cases, the mastering code is in very small print just to the left of the catalog number (the "CC184xBD").

Hmm I still don't see it...

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by GxyExpress999

Hmm I still don't see it...

[Show spoiler]

Honestly, you need a magnifying glass to see some of the codes on the discs. My Bigger than Life disc is almost transparent and hidden in a tiny section.

[GxyExpress999]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Honestly, you need a magnifying glass to see some of the codes on the discs. My Bigger than Life disc is almost transparent and hidden in a tiny section.

I know it's very small and I can see it on other discs such as 'M' (below) but not on Howards End or Pierrot le Fou for some reason.

[flyry]

jesus christ this shit is a semi epidemic.

it's gonna give ammo to the digital proponents

[Al_The_Strange]

Checked the surface of my Ip Man discs, but I don't see any bronzing on both movies. Must have gotten them from a different batch.

I totally forgot I also have the CineAsia version from the UK, so I guess that one can be a backup if the Well Go copy fails.

[wormraper]

f@ck me... all my copies of these titles have light bronzing around the edges... some of these watched only once, and in the case of "Legend of the fist" not at all. if this gets any worse I'm not dropping any more money into Blu-ray. I spend money for these to last 20+ years, not fail in a couple

[Al_The_Strange]

Didn't I read before that a Blu-Ray is supposed to last like 100 years or something? Assuming you don't scratch it up or get it wet or anything?

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Didn't I read before that a Blu-Ray is supposed to last like 100 years or something? Assuming you don't scratch it up or get it wet or anything?

IIRC, aging simulations using heat showed compact discs can/will last about a century.

[zeze]

I checked my copy of Triple Dog and it has the same code of IFPI L606.

Though I can't tell if its bronzing or not.

[wormraper]

I bet we'll find a lot more too. I think this is just starting.

and I guarantee you WG USA won't stand behind their product like Criterion will.

[uther]

I will state what I put in the news item.

This program blows, I expected better from Criterion. Other distributors do not ask for the disc in a replacement and being Canadian makes it quite costly. I paid a lot for the disc and now have to pay more.

[zeze]

Originally Posted by wormraper

f@ck me... all my copies of these titles have light bronzing around the edges... some of these watched only once, and in the case of "Legend of the fist" not at all. if this gets any worse I'm not dropping any more money into Blu-ray. I spend money for these to last 20+ years, not fail in a couple

Yeah same here. I'm wondering if I should spend anymore money on a hobby where the discs only last for 3-4 years. Its getting ridiculous.

[wormraper]

Also add

Delightful Forest
Brothers Five
The Heroic Ones
Whitewall
The Man from Nowhere
Kung Fu Dunk
Shaolin


ALL of them show bronzing around the outer edge. Shaolin seems to be the last one of that era before they switched from that particular producer..all the rest past that date are differently stamped and are VERY obviously not bronzed

what's really frightening is how many 100's of other discs were printed for other studios from this particular place