Check your DVDs for disc deterioration: Warner Bros. announces their replacement.
Investigate issues in discs manufactured between 2006 and 2008.
If you still have your DVD collection, now is a good time to check your player and ensure that the discs are not showing signs of deterioration. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) has acknowledged that many discs manufactured between 2006 and 2008 are failing prematurely. The company has been working with consumers to replace defective discs, offering replacements of the same title whenever possible. However, for titles that are no longer available or whose rights have expired, a trade for another title of similar value is being offered.
Affected consumers can contact customer service to address their concerns regarding defective products. Disc deterioration is not a new phenomenon; it is estimated that well-maintained DVDs should be playable for approximately 100 years. However, WBHE discs have particularly drawn attention among physical media enthusiasts, who have shared their experiences on forums such as DVD Talk and Home Theater Forum.
A 2021 video suggests that the deterioration problem may encompass a broader range of discs, from 2006 to 2009, beyond what Warner Bros. has acknowledged. To identify potential playback issues, it is recommended to be on the lookout for DVDs that do not load, freeze during playback, or have special features that cannot be played. The video description includes links to Google Docs, where the author has compiled a list of DVD titles that, according to his research, have issues.
This list includes popular series such as Batman: The Animated Series and iconic films like Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as all Superman films up to Superman Returns. Another list connects defective DVDs from 2006 to 2009 to a manufacturing plant in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, although Warner Bros. has not confirmed this claim.
Many physical media fans have maintained their collections to ensure access to movies, series, and games they value, especially in light of the instability of digital platforms. While the current situation suggests that Warner Bros. is acting responsibly by offering solutions, there is no guarantee that other companies will do the same if their discs begin to fail in large numbers. This underscores the idea of backing up digital media and proactively caring for your physical collection.