Damaged Blu-Ray Discs

[twentw]

I've had Netflix for over 5 years and switched to blu-ray about 7 months ago. I never had much problem with regular DVDs over the years, but the rate of damaged unplayable blu-rays seems to be much higher. This doesn't bother me that much except for one thing I've noticed on the damaged discs. Many of them have the same visible blemish - a small triangular crack/blemish on the edge that's obviously creating the problem.

I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this? I'm thinking that perhaps there is some machine that Netflix uses to handle these discs that sometimes scratches the disc this way. Or maybe it's some popular blu-ray player is doing this. Has anyone seen this problem?

[jeldobar]

never had the problem myself but It has been a problem for others as it has been talked about on here in the past ... so you are not alone

[Spindaddydad]

I have not experienced any damaged Blu discs... yet.

It is my understanding that the discs are manufactured with a less-rigid substrate that is less durable. Easier to get damaged in the mail.

[Slappy]

It is my understanding that the discs are manufactured with a less-rigid substrate that is less durable.

Kind of ironic considering they did a new kind of coating that is supposed to make them more impervious to scratches than DVD are. I have heard this a lot, some have even speculated that certain players are the culprit because apparently several have one crack in one spot. A little like the first PS2 had trouble breaking some older PS1 games because the tray would leave a ridge on the disc. Don't know if that is true all rumor and speculation there sorry doesn't really help much I guess.

[Gunny]

I've been a Netflix member for nearly 2 months now and I've already received 3 unplayable Blu Ray discs. Standard discs have all played fine, and I love the service overall. My player is less than 6 months old, and I bought a brand new Sony BX1 a couple of days ago and tried my latest disc, Saw IV, in it. The results were similar to what I originally experienced with my Magnavox player. The disc will start out fine, but lock up and eventually return to the main menu around 30 minutes in. I didn't notice any cracks on the disc, but there were several scratches. Cleaning did not help. I called Netflix and they readily acknowledged that they are having problems with unplayable Blu Ray discs and offered 2 free rentals to compensate.

I don't think this is the fault of Netflix, but I do believe they [and others] will have to come up with a solution to what I feel is an inherent problem with the Blu Ray disc format. While I know there are many out there who do not seem to be having problems, too many others are for this to be dismissed as a simple player issue. If a brand new BD player [from Sony no less] cannot play a Blu Ray title, then I believe the fault must lie with the disc. They are simply not as resilient as we were lead to believe they would be.

I am confident that Netflix will properly address this issue in due time. Meanwhile, as long as they deal fairly with me when it becomes excessive, I'll be a happy customer.

Thanks for reading

[Alan-Not So Nice Not So Helpful]

Thanks for reading

Thank you for being a breath of fresh air. It almost never happens that someone has a problem with Netflix or unplayable discs, join the forum and yet still be positive about Netflix. I hope for the sake of all BD subscribers that this problem gets a quick resolution.

Thank you again for not coming in here and bitching at us. :-)

[Gunny]

No problem, Alan. I absolutely love the concept of Netflix. That's why I signed up, and I should have done it years ago. Could have saved some serious cash. I have probably 100+ DVD's that I watched once and then they just sit in my carousel now. I should have been renting titles like this all along. Besides, I watch enough Instant content [PC connected to a 65" bigscreen] to practically justify what I pay. People do have to understand that Netflix is in business, and there are always trade-offs associated with value. No company is perfect [nor can it be for the masses] but Netflix is clearly striving to be the best they can and deliver true value to their customers.

[Erick G]

Confident they will fix the problem? I just signed up and I'm receiving broken blu-ray movies left and right, 6 out of 7 to be exact. You don't think it is a netflix problem? They are supposed to provide a service to me and cannot deliver, so I would say that is their problem. They need to use better packaging materials to resolve this issue. They already charge more for the blu-ray format so they should be able to afford this change in packaging or charge a little more for the non blu ray customers, since we already pay extra.

[Mrpinortiner]

At least they send You the Blu-ray copy, they always stick me with standard dvds, they only send high def one out of every 20 movies or so.

[twentw]

That's odd. For me, they don't send any regular DVDs unless it's not manufactured in Blu-Ray. Which is why most of my movies are "Long Wait" whereas I could probably get them immediately if I switched to regular DVD.

[jeldobar]

it's not odd .. that dude is just a computer illiterate moron that doesn't know how to work the blu-ray discs in his queue

[twentw]

Reviving this thread, because exactly the same thing has happened again. The Incredible Hulk blu-ray disc would not play the last 10 minutes, and I found the exact same blemish on this disc as I found on all the others. Attached is a picture. If anyone knows what this is, let me (and Netflix) know. I'm just about to go back to regular DVDs because they are less prone to damage.

[Alan-Not So Nice Not So Helpful]

That's not a blemish. That's a crack. :-)