I rented a DVD of Star Trek: The Original Motion Picture (1979) from my neighborhood Blockbuster. I noticed it had this Disc-Shield with the two metal strips across. I had never seen this before, but if you ask me, it looks like an RFID device embedded into the DVD. The label says you have to pay for the disc if the Disc Shield is removed (which is a throwback to their old school methods of charging $70 for a lost VHS back in the early 1990's). I am half tempted to remove the Disc Shield to find out how much this RFID device is costing them. According to http://www.audiovideosupply.com/discshield.htm you can use a protective permanent laminate to cover the label side of the disc to prevent scratches and pinholes from ruining the disc permanently. But I'm not buying that. The manufacturer claims that Disc Shields are made to protect the "vulnerable label side" of a CD, CD-ROM or DVD from scratches and damage. It claims that even a tiny scratch, thinner than a human hair or as small as a pinhole can permanently destroy your disc. But the label side is irrelevant to the laser in your DVD player. The laser reads the data side. Duh! And I've cleaned DVDs of hair and fingerprints before, so I don't believe their claim that these contaminants can easily destroy a DVD. As a matter of fact, they sell a kit to repair scratched discs at http://www.renu-a-disc.com/moredisc.shtml Clearly we are living in an age of misinformation that often incorporates fear to misguide the masses. What's really going on is often hidden, frequently patent pending, and more and moreso nowadays is becoming RFID-related. I, for one, am opposed to this indiscrimate over-use of RFID devices on anything and everything without having any reasonable discussion first. I am going to close out my Blockbuster account as a result of this. The borg says "Resistance is futile", but I saw a movie called "The Corporation" that tells me people really do have the power to effect some change. http://dochamp.tripod.com
You're erroneously applying LP common-sense to DVDs. While it is true that scratches on the "data side" of the DVD can cause problems, the label is actually the most sensitive and easily damaged portion of the disc. The "data side" of the disc is, in fact, protected by a relatively thick piece of clear plastic. If this plastic is damaged it can, in fact, be rebuffed using one of those "repair kits" you talk about (assuming the damage isn't too severe). But the label is, in fact, nothing more than a thin piece of foil. This foil is the reflective surface which allows the laser in the DVD player to read the disc. And, in fact, even the slightest tear or scratch in this foil will render your DVD into a very attractive coaster. Don't believe me? Take a razor-blade and slice a razor-thin cut through the foil. Or peel away a very small piece of foil along the edge of the disc. I wouldn't recommend doing it with a disc you ever want to use again. Now, last time I rented a movie at Blockbuster, they were also using disc-protector laminates to fasten down their magnetic anti-theft devices. But this is hardly a new practice. Video stores have been protecting their videos with magnetic anti-theft devices for decades now, and if you're going to boycott every business that uses anti-theft devices then you're not going to have many places left to shop. Justin Bacon
Hello, I would like to know how to make copies of dvd's from blockbuster with disc sield on it. Please help.
Lets ask the Moderator if we should even be talking about this? Proabably not! Read the Rules people.. No Talk of Illegal Activity
I wouldn't think the Disc Shield would have any effect on one's ability to make copies. Maybe you just don't know how to copy a DVD in the first place?
The "Disk Shield" in No way Stops you from Makeing a Copy of the disk as most Of The DVD"s I rent are from BlockBuster which i=uses the Disk Shield on most of there DVD"s and I haven"t had any problems with any of there Disks.... Cheers
