Your DVD will self-destruct in 48 hours:
If Walt Disney Co. gets its wish, an experimental type of DVD will begin flying off store shelves Tuesday, and self-destructing 48 hours later.
Disney (DIS: Research, Estimates) movies on disposable DVDs are set to arrive in convenience stores, pharmacies and other outlets in a four-city test of whether Americans will pick up a limited-life DVD rather than dropping by a video rental store.
The red DVDs turn an unreadable black 48 hours after their packages are opened -- exposing them to oxygen, which reacts with the disc in a process similar to how Polaroid film develops.
The DVDs, which are being distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Disney's home video unit, will carry a suggested price of $6.99.
Doesn't it seem to be a bit wasteful? For once I agree with the environmentalists:
The plan has stirred some criticism from environmentalists such as the Alliance for Safe Alternatives, which is asking callers to phone Disney and tell them to scrap the plan which they say will add needless waste to America's landfills.
The plan offers some recycling -- though not in-store -- and consumers will eventually be able to get a new disc in return for six used ones, the companies said.
