News and Reviews....

    The EZ DVD Test Rolls OUT !!    Sept. 2003

 By Robert Lieto

Will it fair better then DIVX ?? No one knows yet, but on September 16, 2003 the EZ-D disposable DVD will be released in drug, grocery, convenience and small specialty chain stores. Consumers in Peoria/Bloomington Illinois, Austin, Texas, Kansas City, Missouri and Charleston, South Carolina will be the first test market areas. 

The discs are sealed air tight and begin to expire the moment the wrapper is taken off, and become unplayable in 48 hours from the unwrapping. The debut price is a suggested retail of $ 6.99. The two companies, Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Owned by Disney) and Flexplay testing the product hope it takes off to the rental market and that the discs are recycled once used. 

Packaging for the titles (The Recruit, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Frida, The Hot Chick, 25th Hour, Heaven, Equilibrium and Signs) in the test are labeled in several places, including a bright yellow seal, to alert consumers that the disc will degrade after 48 hours.

Industry skeptics have been vocal about the test since it was announced in May. They were curious as to why Disney was the only studio to back the test with product. The plot is to regain renters that were put off by late fees and return trips as told by Buena Vista Vice President Bob Chapek.

The recycling issue is yet another. It seems that local recyclers must send the discs to a company called GreenDisk in Columbia, Mo., due to the chemical composition of the optical media that requires a certain special sequence to the process. Consumers will also be able to visit the web site "EZ/D.com" to receive a postage-paid return envelop which would then allow the disc to be mailed to GreenDisk.

Comment .....  I believe that as good as a disposable disc can be to the renter market, the issue is that it still becomes something that is worthless over time and requires effort for its proper handling after use. On the other hand for a bit more you can purchase a disc that will not dissipate and could be traded or turned in at a second hand store for a monetary return on your investment. No... I believe the EZ-D will go the way of Divx and last about the same amount of time.

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