This is not good. And sadly, while I found this list of affected DVDs, it does not appear to be official, or complete. There are several DVDs listed that I have in my collection. But according to one person, Shawshank Redemption is affected but I don't see it on that list. That said, Shawshank Redemption came out in 1994 so not sure how accurate the report was. We need WB to publish an official list of releases for that time period. Supposedly, we can write to whv@wbd.com and get replacements if available, or some sort of compensation if not available. Note this appears to only affect DVDs pressed between 2006 and 2008 and does not affect Blu-ray disks.
Thank you for posting. Besides the info in The Verge article, the mentioned JoBlo article also mentioned the Steve Hoffman forums thread. That forum thread not only includes a 2024 post with the list of reported and confirmed Warner Home Video DVDs that have rotted (the list was also mentioned in The Verge article), but the Steve Hoffman forums thread also has a 2024 post that lists affected mould code and master codes. As Bill_Bright said, we need WB to publish an official list of affected releases. I doubt they will. In my DVD collection, I have a few WB DVDs. None is in the list of defective WB DVDs. However, two have mould code IFPI 2U** (2UW5 and 2UZ1) and master code IFPI L907. Those are Region 1 DVDs. Luckily, I have Region 2 copies as well, with entirely different mould code and master code. So if my Region 1 copies might fail, I hope my Region 2 copies are still OK. But anyhow, what a mess. I wonder what company's disc media are to fail next.
I saw that list too - but it also is not official. Note it lists 208 titles while the list I linked to shows 215. So again, we need an official list from WB.
Oh, thanks very much. I thought they were the same, I overlooked the fact that one lists 208 titles and the other 215. Thanks again for mentioning. Indeed.
Hi Bill, and others, Did you find any more information regarding WB DVD rot? Did you check your WB DVDs? I didn't play my WB DVDs to check for defects. Life's too short. However, I did check my WB DVDs mould codes and master codes. I had to use a magnifying glass and the right lighting. Two of my region 1 WB DVDs could be affected, potentially, on account of mould code and master code, but probably are not affected on account of year of release. Two region 2 WB DVDs could be affected, potentially, on account of year of release, but probably are not affected, on account of mould code and master code. One region 2 WB DVD is not affected, probably, on account of year of release, and probably not affected, on account of mould code and master code. As two of my region 2 WB DVDs have the same content as the two region 1 WB DVDs, I am not too worried. Though this matter of the WB DVD rot did make me realize DVDs are not guaranteed for life.
No, I have not looked into it further. Between cable TV, Netflix and Roku, I already have more video content to choose from than spend time going through my old DVDs.
Not at all. I've had multiple DVDs and Blu-rays that once worked and no longer play. Specific to this I have some Looney Tunes disks that won't play anymore. I think the Golden Collection is out of print so replacements are unlikely.
