I've been trying to sell off all my DVDs (hundreds) as a result of the new technology......
Basically, my current DVDs are like Video Cassette tapes. I was trying to get at least a dollar or two this year before they are worthless........
I couldn't even get that. what will you folks do with your outdated DVD collection? Some sucumb to DVD rot, so I can't keep them too long....:(

I've been trying to sell off all my DVDs (hundreds) as a result of the new technology......
Basically, my current DVDs are like Video Cassette tapes. I was trying to get at least a dollar or two this year before they are worthless........
I couldn't even get that. what will you folks do with your outdated DVD collection? Some sucumb to DVD rot, so I can't keep them too long....:(

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused:
if YOU GIVE ME $5 for each of your dvds and YOU PAY shipping, ill gladly take them off your hands.
i still love to watch my dvds right along with my hdm.
and i still listen to cassettes:eek:.

Some of my DVDs are rotting. Can't play anymore. Very poor media.
My VHS tapes still play.
What a shame the media was so tempermental......
I had a garage sale the other day and could'nt "give away" my DVDs.......
You can rent at the red box for a dollar.....:(

I don't have any dvds that have dvd rot at least not to my knowledge. I've seen laserdisc rot but not dvd rot. Can dvd rot happen on single and dual layer dvds? Are the problem dvds from a certain company? Since some dvds can be bought new for $9.99 or less most people probably want new dvds. I sometimes buy previously viewed. This probably won't make you feel any better but how about giving the dvds to a family member? I'm sure there is someone in your family who would love to have your dvds in their collection. You can donate them to your local library for a tax write off.

*Note: I wonder if HD-DVDs and BRs will have this sort of problem?

You can donate them to your local library for a tax write off

Great idea. Never thought of that! I could go back later and take them out and watch them if I wanted to! :D

Giving them away is a terrific option. Two areas to consider:

In Kansas City we have an non-for-profit organization called Operation Breakthrough, that provides low/no cost child care for working parents. They provide other services too...but we donated all of my son's children's dvds he has gotten older. He picked out the ones that were "little kids movies". We took them down together and had him meet one of the admins...so he could have the act of giving and learn from it. It provided a life lesson for our young son and benefited a worthy organization. I'm sure there are similar groups in larger communities.

At our work place, we get hit up at times for donations to certain company supported charities. Susan Korman Foundation, United Way etc. The company will have jeans day for those who want to donate $5 to X group that week etc.... During these times, I'll bring in my dvd's and sell them at $4 a pop...with the understanding the money they buy the dvd's with will go to that charity the company is supporting.

Ron

Even my oldest crappiest DVDs haven't rotted yet. How do you store your DVDs?

I agree with Cameron, my oldest dvd's are still great to listen to .. What do you meanby rotting? wood rots, not dvds

There is such a thing as DVD rot. The media is not a safe method for long duration data storage. Apparently some degradation occurs and the ability to read the data is comprimised over time. Unlike my vinyl LPs....:cool:

I store vertically on edge in the original case. Some of the first DVDs I purchased are no longer playable on DVD players ( I have four DVD players old and brand new and in between) Maybe the humidity is too high, as they are stored in the basement. I dunno. I had heard that layers can separate or something like that in the DVD media. It's just a few of my hundreds of DVDs, but, I don't know if the problems will develop later with other DVDs.

From hometheater.about.com:

It seems that, with DVDs, outward appearances may be deceiving. What appears to be an indestructible 5-inch disc, is actually a delicate audio/video/data storage device that is held together by a laminated outer surface containing layers of plastic and reflective metal coatings, and held together by special glues.

If manufactured with proper quality control at the production line end, placed and removed properly from its storage case when used, and stored properly by the consumer, DVDs will definitely outlive their video tape counterparts.

DVD Quality Control Issues

However, it has come to light that a small percentage of DVDs are suffering deteriorating effects, such as cloudy areas (that look like coffee stains), holes, and specs that show up after repeated playings. In addition, some multi-layered DVDs (DVDs that in which the movie is extremely long or has lots of features on a single disc) seem to be experiencing layer separation or other defects that show up as skips or pixelization when the laser in the DVD player has to switch between the layers. Sometimes the DVD player will actually freeze at this point, preventing the playing of the next DVD layer. Much of this may be attributed to lack of quality control at the factory where the DVDs are made.

Another quality control point that is being missed by some manfacturers is the type of center spindle used in DVD storage cases. While most spindles enable the easy release of the DVD, some spindles I have encountered are so stiff that they can tear the edges of the outer lamination of a DVD in such as way that dust and other particles can creep in and cause disc playability issues as time goes on.

Unfortunately, at the time this article is being posted, neither the consumer electronics industry or consumer advocacy groups have addressed this issue in a systematic fashion (watch for updates on this), however, several reliable private parties, some of the print and online media have taken notice and are advocating action in this regard. Even the movie studios are responding in a mixed fashion. Some studios have replaced defective DVDs while others have refused to replace defective DVDs past the normal warranty period.

Yes, it's just a small percentage of my DVDs, but, I don't know if environmental conditions play a significant role. Based on the few involved, I wouldn't use DVD as a backup solution for financial or crucial data. That said, I am an avid home theater enthusiast, am very protective of my collection and know proper handling of DVD media. I never loan or let anyone else handle media. So, for some reason, a few DVDs just wont play anymore when I go to view them. I have 600 DVDs. So, replay between uses could be a years or more. Some titles that wont play anymore (and, embarasing with a viewing audience in the theater when things go baad....) Good Fellas (one of my faves) Mask (Jim Caarey), Silence of the Lambs, Manhunter (another good Mann title) and others.........:( When you look at the DVD it's pristene in appearance. And I try them in my Panasonic XP-30, Bravo, Toshiba, Dell, and samsung and they just wont play anymore. I wash, and polish and all the other stuuf. Other DVDs play just fine in all players, so, it's definately the DVD media.
I don't mean to raise a big issue, I'm just stating that some of my DVDs that are store properly within my home, when I go to play them 2, 3, 4 years later, they no longer play. Unfortunate. :(