So far I have rented three BR disks from Netflix, the first arrived in perfect shape. The second two arrived with a tiny crack at the edge of the disks. I've been renting from netflix for years and the only two cracked disks I have gotten were cracked right in half from some idiot at the postal service placing weight on them.

Same here, got a BR from Blockbuster (Little Man) today with a crack on the outside edge (about 1/4" long). In the 3+ years I've been renting DVDs (first with Netflix, now also BB), not once have I received a broken disk. Probably just coincidence.

Well this doesn't sound good. Does the crack show through both sides of the disc, or just the data side?

One of my biggest pet peeves about DVD & HD DVD is that the two halves of the disc are clearly physically separated in the center. This makes them prone to cracking when in cases with poor hubs.

(The 0.6mm halves seem much weaker than the 1.2mm whole glued together. I never had such problems with regular audio CDs.)

I thought BD would solve this, but if they actually use a 0.1mm layer of polycarbonate to cover the data... that's potentially prone to cracking - that would be a major down-side for me.

I rented X3 from NetFlix, and it too had a small crack at the edge of the disc (unfortunately large enough to prevent it from playing)... I hope we're not seeing an issue here!

Over the years I've received at least 5 cracked DVDs from netflix, I'd say it's just the way they are handled in the mail.

:eek: You need the correct encryption keys to get a crack! :D

I rented X3 from NetFlix, and it too had a small crack at the edge of the disc (unfortunately large enough to prevent it from playing)... I hope we're not seeing an issue here!
Over the years I've received at least 5 cracked DVDs from netflix, I'd say it's just the way they are handled in the mail.
Considering that you only came across 5 cracked DVDs over the years when thousands are being rented, I would consider this a cause for concern when there are only a tiny fraction of Blu-Ray discs being netflixed by comparison, yet someone already came across two cracked Blu-Ray discs. If it's the way they're being handled then either the handlers are extra tough on Blu-Ray rentals, or perhaps there is a yet-to-be-seen inherent issue with Blu-Ray discs and they are more susceptible to these cracks. On the other hand, it could very well just be coincidence.

I had one cracked BD disc. Same as the others, cracked on the edge. The disc played through though, although I did not try the extended features. I may have just gotten lucky.

I have only had one other cracked disc, that was a DVD and was completely cracked.

I wonder if the hard coating they apply makes the discs more brittle. It certainly does help against scratches, as the HD-DVDs I've rented seem to be more scratched on average. So far, I have yet to rent an HD format disc that plays with even a slight hiccup (BD or HD-DVD).

I only rent BD discs from blockbuster online and I received one with a crack as well. It played through with no problems so I did not think anything of it until I read this thread.

It's a small rental pool, perhaps you all got the same discs.

Hey, it could happen.

I too just got 4 blu-ray disks from NetFlix and ONE was cracked on the edge all the way though about 1/4" in from the edge (Superman).

I like Bluray but was curious if these are more fragile.

"Cracks" in this thread have been repaired. Any further damage to the thread and I'll have to throw the whole thing out.

Well this doesn't sound good. Does the crack show through both sides of the disc, or just the data side?

One of my biggest pet peeves about DVD & HD DVD is that the two halves of the disc are clearly physically separated in the center. This makes them prone to cracking when in cases with poor hubs.

(The 0.6mm halves seem much weaker than the 1.2mm whole glued together. I never had such problems with regular audio CDs.)

I thought BD would solve this, but if they actually use a 0.1mm layer of polycarbonate to cover the data... that's potentially prone to cracking - that would be a major down-side for me.
Maybe someone should post photos of these cracks so that others know what to look for.

I like Bluray but was curious if these are more fragile.

You would think they would be less fragile since BD uses one substrate (piece) of plastic like CDs where as DVD and HD-DVD uses two pieces which are glued together.

You would think they would be less fragile since BD uses one substrate (piece) of plastic like CDs where as DVD and HD-DVD uses two pieces which are glued together.
One would think, but it may be possible that a harder coating results in a more rigid disc, which consequently produces one that is also more susceptible to these cracks. As anyone who has had a cracked windshield will tell you, cracks can spread over time. If Warner is using the same coating (haven't read on this yet) on their Total HD hybrids we might see a problem with those as well down the road.

I've gotten 3 disks from BB online so far, 1 was cracked, crack extended toward the center from outside edge about 1 inch.

i cant comment on bluray disks, but i did get a hd dvd from blockbuster that skipped like crazy. they disk was full of hairline scrathes.

Wow, that's quite a few cracks for such an early format. HD DVD on the other hand scratches easily.

Wow, that's quite a few cracks for such an early format. HD DVD on the other hand scratches easily.
I agree, cracks should not be happening to Blu-ray discs already when they have a special hard coating to help protect and resist scratches. Fortunately for HD DVD, the data is 0.6 mm under the disc's surface, unlike Blu-ray which is only 0.1 mm.

I have never gotten a cracked dvd from netflix/bb in years of renting. I just switched to BR... I got 2 rentals that were pristine, then when the third title came it had a cm long crack in the outer edge and would not play in my PC so I requested another. The replacement (same title) came and it had a 3cm crack in the outer edge so I requested another. I just got the (third) disc today and it is fine...

Aren't these discs sent through the mail in little paper envelopes? Where's the mystery?

I am finding this same thing with disks from Net Flix. I just got "No Country for Old Men" on the day it was released and I had to send it back because it was cracked, "Indepedence Day" too. I have had at least 5 Blu ray's that were cracked in the last 2 months. Everyone was cracked the same way, 1/4" long crack all the way through the disk. They need to investigate this and possibly come up with a better method of shipping these.

I too just got 4 blu-ray disks from NetFlix and ONE was cracked on the edge all the way though about 1/4" in from the edge (Superman).

I like Bluray but was curious if these are more fragile.

Aren't these discs sent through the mail in little paper envelopes? Where's the mystery?

I think that the "mystery" is that many of us who have never received a single cracked DVD have received multiple cracked BDs via mailers.

The suspicion is that the discs are more fragile.

I think that the "mystery" is that many of us who have never received a single cracked DVD have received multiple cracked BDs via mailers.

The suspicion is that the discs are more fragile.

more likely the pool of GOOD dvds going around is gigantic vs the few bad ones. The dvd pool is certainly monsterous compared to their bluray pool. Smaller number of discs, more likely you are to get a bad one.

I'm loathe to believe the discs are more fragile. You have to remember that some of these people were BOILING hd dvds.

more likely the pool of GOOD dvds going around is gigantic vs the few bad ones. The dvd pool is certainly monsterous compared to their bluray pool. Smaller number of discs, more likely you are to get a bad one.

I'm loathe to believe the discs are more fragile. You have to remember that some of these people were BOILING hd dvds.

Well there's always a give and take in every kind of engineering - materials included.

BD has a harder data surface and is much more resistant to scratches - no question. There was a hypotheses going around that that very thin, very hard coating might also be very brittle when exposed to side impacts. That sounds plausible to me.

If you made a DVD out of glass for example... it would be really resistant to everyday scratches... but you certainly wouldn't want to drop it.

I probably have had the worst luck with 13 cracked BRs in the last two months from Netflix. I've called about eight or nine times and have gotten great support with a free month and a extra movie added twice. However. they definitly know its a problem and basically told me they really can't do anything besides contact my postmaster and ask them to stop sorting them through their machines which by the way is the cause of this. I was also told to leave a suggestion on their website for them to start using a more sturdier mailer, lets see how far that goes. The good news is since they contacted my postmaster I've gotten my BRs a day later and with no cracks.

I also got a cracked Jesse James disc from Netflix, it was a tiny crack at the edge, and locked up in the final few minutes of the film. At that point I was tired of watching it anyway, so I didn't mind too much. I have received about 5 BD's from them so far, first problem. I reported it on the website, I hope they take it out of circulation.

It's the mail sorting machines... let Netflix know and they will complain to the Post Office. The Netflix envelops are NOT suppose to go through the automatic sorting machines.

It's the mail sorting machines... let Netflix know and they will complain to the Post Office. The Netflix envelops are NOT suppose to go through the automatic sorting machines.


I would expect there's quite a tiff going between the USPS and blockbuster/netflix over these mailers.

The mailers are sent as bulk rate postage, but it obviously costs the USPS more money to manually sort millions of these things instead of being able to sort them with the electric sorting machines.

It would probably cost Netflix/Blockbuster an extra nickel per disc to put it in a sleeve that could survive the sorting hardware.

Actually the post office has threatened to charge Netflix an extra 17 cents. In the last SEC 10K report, Netflix discusses this issue. http://ir.netflix.com/secfiling.cfm?filingID=1193125-08-40378

I would expect there's quite a tiff going between the USPS and blockbuster/netflix over these mailers.

The mailers are sent as bulk rate postage, but it obviously costs the USPS more money to manually sort millions of these things instead of being able to sort them with the electric sorting machines.

It would probably cost Netflix/Blockbuster an extra nickel per disc to put it in a sleeve that could survive the sorting hardware.

There was a news story about that a few months back as well...

http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/12/postal-rate-hik.html

I would think with the seemingly new BD issues, and USPS getting upset... Netflix would take the initiative and update their packaging.

About half of the 25 or so Blu-Ray's I have rented from Netflix have had the same tiny crack on the outer edge of the disc. Sometimes even the replacment has the same tiny crack. I now inspect every Netflix disc very carefully. If I see the tiny crack I don't even try to play them anymore. I used to try but the PS3 I use won't read them.

It has to be the fault of your local post office for I have never had a crack [large or small] in any of the Blu-ray movies that I have rented from Netflix. Since you share the same movies from those in your zip code, you are all using the same post office and are sharing the same problems with the way your post office is handling your Netflix rentals.

It seems everyone has determined that the discs are getting cracked from the post office. That doesn't say much for the durability of blu-ray if regular dvd seems to make it through the post office without problems.

I wonder about long term use of these discs. You might not have to worry about scratches but what about cracking after extended use? A movie is not something you should have to worry about wearing out and have to buy again.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be a big investor in blu-ray unless they start up with some kind of disc replacement program. I will just rent a movie from netflix if I ever want to watch it again. Then I don't have to worry about damage to my discs.

i am sure this has been asked before. but my search turned up nothing.
and idk if this is the correct room for this.

has anyone used a bad BD ? i just "tried" to watch Death Race (2008).
it was pixelating, locking up, restarting, wouldn't play ..... BADLY. i gave up and shut down.

idk if its the disc, or my machine, or the software. panasonic bd35
i will get a pic of what i call pixelating, later today. because i don't know if that is the correct term for it.

can i be schooled on this. i need to know how to deal with it. it sucks to start a movie, and then this happens :(:mad:

tia

Yes, there are many cases of bad discs. Exchange it for another. If you still have the same problem, unfortunately it could be either a batch of bad discs or a problem with your player.

NETFLIX.

my player is not updated. i am afraid to, heard some stories about players not working after an update.

I'd say it's the disc. I own the BD35 and it played Death Race without any glitches whatsoever, and my player has the latest firmware.

Also, pixelating can be caused by a smudge or dirt on the disc. I always give rentals a good cleaning before use.

thanx, guys

i always check the disc for issues. this one was perfect. i will have to check into up dating the panasonic dmp-bd35.

btw. i just supported an avs sponsor. Roman

thanx, guys

i always check the disc for issues. this one was perfect. i will have to check into up dating the panasonic dmp-bd35.

btw. i just supported an avs sponsor. Roman

Even if it looks okay, clean it and try it again. If it still does not work correctly it is a bad disc. Report it to Netflix and get another one.

I played it on my BD35 with firmware 1.5 without any problems.

NETFLIX.

my player is not updated. i am afraid to, heard some stories about players not working after an update.

Your irrational fear needs to be addressed.;) Update your machine.

CD

lol. its not irrational. it comes from 44 years of experience 8-/

i posted in the bd35 thread about updating. if you guys care to have a look. thanx

It seems everyone has determined that the discs are getting cracked from the post office. That doesn't say much for the durability of blu-ray if regular dvd seems to make it through the post office without problems.

Except discs aren't mean to be housed in paper sleeves, and thrown in with a weight-load of paper and magazines and whatever else. Blu-ray discs come in a plastic shell in most cases, and they're put in such cases for a reason... to protect the disc. Even if a harder coating for disc protection may make discs more brittle, I think under normal wear and tear, it's a magnificent trade-off. I, like most people, take care of my discs. That means that I won't have to worry about little tiny scratches or scuffs appearing over time even while handling my discs with the utmost care.

And besides, I'm sure a disc is overhanging a ledge of papers or something, and something gets placed on top of it at some point and whammo, the disc is bent in a way it's not supposed to be, and it cracks. It's not really the fault of Netflix, except for the fact they're providing a fantastic but cheap service, and it would cost them a fortune to do other than they've been doing. They can't use plastic cases. And the post office is doing what they normally do. Nobody is to blame, the discs aren't to blame, it's just the way it is.

As for NORMAL retail purchased discs, I'm completely fine with the way Blu-ray has been constructed. I can buy a disc, and it can be loose in its hub, and I don't have to return it for scratches! A loose disc in a case was always a no sale for me on DVD, but that's been alleviated. Thanks you Blu-ray!

Your irrational fear needs to be addressed.;) Update your machine.

CD

ok. i just "tried" updating. automatic my ass. there are a bunch of settings i need to input. i have no idea where to get these numbers.

anyone know where a tutorial is ?

You should not be fearful of firmware updates. I would highly recommend that you do firmware updates to your machine via a burned disc as opposed to an online connection however. The only major problems I've ever seen people have, is when they're updating their firmware this way, and a problem occurs that's not correctable. But I'm sure newer players have a work around for that anyways. Also, if your player has a USB port, it's even easier and you don't even have to use burned discs anymore. Firmware updates are like making upgrades to a computer at this point, or a game. Companies will continually address issues their players have via firmware, there's nothing to lose, only things to gain.

I don't know if they crack easier than DVD but I have noticed that about 1 in 3 BDs I get from Netflix won't play in my PS3. I've looked closely and found no chips or cracks but they just won't be recognized by the player. I saw some people were mentioning Death Race. I got that the other day from Netflix and it wouldn't play. I don't have another player to try these discs in so I just report them and send back.

Do you have the latest firmware downloaded?

It's the mail sorting machines... let Netflix know and they will complain to the Post Office. The Netflix envelops are NOT suppose to go through the automatic sorting machines.

Netflix allows limited machine processing by the USPS for the outgoing mailers, but not the return. Examine your mailers closely, if they have a small hole right over where the cracked edge of the disc is like in the following photo, contact Netflix AND the USPS asking that your local USPS processing machines be recalibrated. Five of my last six BDs had cracked edges, no previous problems...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3501971694_77209051db_b.jpg

UPDATE :

it was the disc. the replacement played flawlessly.

I'm now at 30 of my last 39 Netflix Blu-ray Discs with edge cracks.:eek: All 30 have been reported as Damaged>Cracked. The cracks are about 1/4" to 1/2" long and are always under the leading edge of the mailers. 42 perfect ships prior to the start of the problem on 4/24/'09. I've given up trying to play them and now just request replacements. My fourth copy of Grindhouse: Death Proof was ok, my fifth copy of Into the Wild should arrive Monday. I'm marking the cracked discs with a Sharpie so I'll know if I get a resend-none so far. At my request USPS has contacted my USPS Automated Processing and Distribution Center three times. I've spoken with Netflix customer service too many times to keep track. My "Nearest Netflix Shipping Facility" is San Bernardino, CA. My nearest Netflix main hub is Santa Ana, CA. Lately I've been using Post-its to add notes to my damaged returns:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3579377736_19683bdaf5_b.jpg

I'm done whining about my Netflix Blu-ray Disc cracked edge problem, it's fixed!

Here're my tips on handling the Netflix Blu-ray Disc problem:

1) Report all cracked edge Blu-ray Discs! Queue>Report Problem>Damaged shipment>Cracked. This provides a) a record for a billing adjustment claim, b) a way for Netflix to discover your problem, c) a record for discussing your problem with Netflix and the USPS.

2) Check where the edge crack is related to the mailer. Open your mailers keeping the disc orientation in line and take note that the cracked edge is always in the middle of the leading edge of the mailers(opposite the 'floppy' end.) This provides a) evidence it's an USPS machine processing problem(cuts through backtalk when speaking with Netflix customer service and the USPS,) b) evidence they're not resending cracked edge discs.

3) After your problem is obvious, go over to the Netflix Facebook space and whine(include your city/state/zip code.) Repeat every couple of weeks until you get the attention of Netflix. http://www.facebook.com/netflix#/topic.php?uid=6275848869&topic=8210

Thanks for all the sympathy and support guys!