First off, I love HD DVD, but like the majority of you guys, I can't stand combo discs.

I would say that for every "combo" disc I buy, I return 3 as defectives. Thanks to the exposed playing surface on both sides, there is little protection for the discs starting from where the discs were made to shipping, etc.

Now I may be a little more picky when it comes to my HD DVDs, but I want what I paid for, plain and simple.

I have had to return "combo" HD DVDs for everything from scratches (and this is number one) to other small issues that can become big disc problems down the road, such as small bubbles visible between the layers that are located near the outer edges of the disc.

The single biggest complaint I have with the scratches is that, most of them are preventable. Take for example the tiny piece of paper that accompanies many of the combos on the market today. These are the small pieces of paper warning that you must update to the latest firmware in order to enjoy all that this disc has to offer. Well, during shipping, while the other inserts stay in place, this small piece of paper becomes loose and wreaks havoc on the playing surface. These discs don't take much to scratch, as most of you know, and the "side-up" that receives the scratching is the standard DVD side, but I still won't settle for having to put up with scratches when I just paid around $35-$40 for the disc, and I shouldn't have to.

One other issue that has almost vanished (thankfully) is the mysterious fingerprints that show up on everything from standard DVDs to HD DVDs. I have had fingerprints on new HD DVDs and DVDs that are actual glue impressions! Almost as if the person responsible for the packaging of these discs got some of the glue used to seal both sides of the disc together on his/her fingers and then touched the playing surface of the disc, rendering it useless and unplayable. Thankfully I have only encountered this a few times during the hundreds of purchases that I have made over the years.

Thanks for listening to my rant. :)

Let's hope we see a quick demise of the combo HD DVDs, very soon.

-Murray

I just ranted in the 300 problem thread.

1/2 of the combos I got are bad. Now I have to deal with the buy.com RMA return process. Probably another 2 more weeks until I get the movie back. If it is bad, I'm going to warner.

Then I ordered TMNT >>> COMBO >>> Here we go again.

I've had no problem with any combos and I have 100+ HD DVD's, with many of the combos that folks are having problems with

I've had no problem with any combos and I have 100+ HD DVD's, with many of the combos that folks are having problems with

LUCKY YOU!

I'm assuming you are just giving us raspberries for your good fortune, because obviously the combo issue is widespread.

As far as playability, Combos have been fine on my HD A20. What I am referring to here is the fact that the "dual" playing side format is way to susceptible to premature damage before reaching the end user.

-Murray

I've had a few discs that come pre-scrached. Don't know how it happens but it does. I think I've replaced 3 so far because of scraches.

I didn't think that little update papper could be the cause. Makes you wonder why they don't use full sheets as id be more effective. They could explaine all the ways to update...

As far as playback issues id say 90% have been combo discs. Although with each update I've got they go away so I'm hopping 2.3 will fix the rest.

I've had no problem with any combos and I have 100+ HD DVD's, with many of the combos that folks are having problems with
x2 ...100% my experience.

Hate em', just hate em'!!!!

I have had 3, 2 wouldnt work and had to be returned to Amazon.
Not a very good average!
And I have 2 machines, a XA1 and XA2 and both have the latest
FW.

I would love to have Hot Fuzz, but as it is a combo, I can live without it :mad:

The only problem I have ever had was with Children of Men, one lockup that was fixed with restarting the chapter. After washing the disc, it never happened again (watched it about 4 times).

I am not rboster so I am not going to point you nice other standing threads but this is to damn repetitive. You guys would probably have much better luck complaining anyways if you made a fricken 1200 post thread about this instead of ten million easily lost and thrown away 10 post threads.

Second for people having repetitive problems with Combos or any other discs. Look into getting player cleaned, get it repaired, or something. I almost continuously purchase problematic combos, partially because I love the flexibility, and have yet to expierence any of these issues on a First batch A1, A2 or Xbox add-on. I also test every combo especially on each system to see if its going to be an issue. No problems. This is what warranties are for.

I have had no problems with any of my combo disks other than Happy Feet having a hiccup/stutter at the 28:45 mark. Other than that all of my HD-DVD's including combos have played flawlessly on my D2 player.

I am not rboster so I am not going to point you nice other standing threads but this is to damn repetitive. You guys would probably have much better luck complaining anyways if you made a fricken 1200 post thread about this instead of ten million easily lost and thrown away 10 post threads.

Second for people having repetitive problems with Combos or any other discs. Look into getting player cleaned, get it repaired, or something. I almost continuously purchase problematic combos, partially because I love the flexibility, and have yet to expierence any of these issues on a First batch A1, A2 or Xbox add-on. I also test every combo especially on each system to see if its going to be an issue. No problems. This is what warranties are for.

True, but I was rather frustrated with the high number of new HD DVD combos that I get that have way too many scratches, damage, etc. on them.

I started this thread to see if anyone else experienced this too, not just playability issues with combos (which is already mentioned in a number of threads) , etc. :)

Hey, here is a thought, maybe I should start a new "300" thread... ;)

-Murray

I don't know what I'm doing wrong...every single combo has played flawlessly on my Xbox360 add-on and my Toshiba D2. 10 combos that I have bought (out of 30) and too many to count from Netflix and BB.

True, but I was rather frustrated with the high number of new HD DVD combos that I get that have way too many scratches, damage, etc. on them.

I started this thread to see if anyone else experienced this too, not just playability issues with combos (which is already mentioned in a number of threads) , etc. :)

Hey, here is a thought, maybe I should start a new "300" thread... ;)

-Murray

If your having issues with scratches you might want to look into the places you buy them from. Their merch department is going to be at fault. Whether you buy universal or warner their combos use the same cases. As for the ease of scratches, I highly doubt it should be an issue theirs a whole in the middle and the disc is small. I have small stubby hands ands I can pick them up without touching it. If someone needs practice they need to buy a LD player and practice picking up, flipping, removing from the flimsy "bag", and placing back into the bag, without scratching or smudging the discs.

LUCKY YOU!

I'm assuming you are just giving us raspberries for your good fortune, because obviously the combo issue is widespread.

I guess I am giving raspberries as well, but I have no issues with any of my combo discs. Not a single one.

If your having issues with scratches you might want to look into the places you buy them from. Their merch department is going to be at fault. Whether you buy universal or warner their combos use the same cases. As for the ease of scratches, I highly doubt it should be an issue theirs a whole in the middle and the disc is small. I have small stubby hands ands I can pick them up without touching it. If someone needs practice they need to buy a LD player and practice picking up, flipping, removing from the flimsy "bag", and placing back into the bag, without scratching or smudging the discs.

I was also a Laserdisc collector, never had a problem. The fingerprints that I am referring to are already on the disc when I open it up, they don't come from me as I am very, very, very anal about my collection. This leads me to the idea that some assembly morons are not wearing protective gloves when handling the discs at the manufacturer.

-Murray

I, too, have had horrible luck with HD DVD discs coming scratched / with fingerprints, right out of the package. Universal is the biggest offender. Early non-combo Universal releases, even, had tons of marks on the bottom side. I've had Amazon replace The Thing, The Bourne Supremacy, King Kong, and 12 Monkeys because the first copies sent had such weird marks on the bottom - I didn't even try to play them, I'm not paying $20-30 for a disc that comes with a ton of marks on them.

Combos have been bad too. I agree that those little slips of paper are scratching the DVD side badly (or at least something is) as it's extremely rare that I get a Universal combo that doesn't have streaks and scratches all over it. Land of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Children of Men, etc. etc. etc.

Warner has been much better... My first copies of The Departed, Superman Returns, and 300 were all flawless, both HD DVD side and DVD side. Whatever facility Universal is using really needs to step up its quality control.

I was also a Laserdisc collector, never had a problem. The fingerprints that I am referring to are already on the disc when I open it up, they don't come from me as I am very, very, very anal about my collection. This leads me to the idea that some assembly morons are not wearing protective gloves when handling the discs at the manufacturer.

-Murray

The LD and scratched point was to fend off the easier to scratch portion of the combo hate brigade.

As for scratches pre their, I have only had two (one combo one none combo) come loose and get scratched, other than that all of my 80+ discs have been imperfection free. But this shouldn't have anything to do with combos, but like you said poor handling of discs which can hit can hit either type.

I've had no problem with any combos and I have 100+ HD DVD's, with many of the combos that folks are having problems with

Ditto.

I was also a Laserdisc collector, never had a problem. The fingerprints that I am referring to are already on the disc when I open it up, they don't come from me as I am very, very, very anal about my collection. This leads me to the idea that some assembly morons are not wearing protective gloves when handling the discs at the manufacturer.

-Murray

Never would have guessed.



My one and only combo came with a smudge on the DVD side. Came clean with some water and a microfiber.

I am not rboster so I am not going to point you nice other standing threads but this is to damn repetitive. You guys would probably have much better luck complaining anyways if you made a fricken 1200 post thread about this instead of ten million easily lost and thrown away 10 post threads.

I agree with you totally on this point.


Second for people having repetitive problems with Combos or any other discs. Look into getting player cleaned, get it repaired, or something.

All of the HD-DVD disks problems I have had are Netflix combo rentals that are obviously scratched, smudged, or damaged. I have had zero problems playing purchased combos. This is an issue with how the combo's hold up under use more-so than the player, unless one argues a player should better handle playing damaged disks. :rolleyes:

I have had no problems with any of my combo disks other than Happy Feet having a hiccup/stutter at the 28:45 mark. Other than that all of my HD-DVD's including combos have played flawlessly on my D2 player.

the latest firmware fixes this problem.

Just wondering, has anyone had a problem with combo discs (mine is happening with Hot Fuzz) where the center ring that is clear and without data appears to be cracked? I bought a copy from target last tuesday since they had it in stock, got it home and opened it up to see what looks to be a crack leading from the center of the disc out, but doesn't affect the play area.

I played it once without problems, but was paranoid and returned it to the same target and switched it out for another copy... low and behold the same problem is on this new disc, although it appears that it is only on one side of the disc. Also on the SD side I have a lot of scratches and even some white scuff marks, and this disc was purchased brand new off the shelf.

I have never had any problems with combo discs (I have matrix set, Children of Men, 300, hollywood land and some others) and now see why so many people are being bugged by them! What should I do, just accept that there might be an imperfection to the disc (I'm so paranoid about the disc breaking while spinning since I saw a friend's DVD player do it!) or just try my luck at a different target or wait for the next shipment at my local one?

First off, I love HD DVD, but like the majority of you guys, I can't stand combo discs.

I would say that for every "combo" disc I buy, I return 3 as defectives. Thanks to the exposed playing surface on both sides, there is little protection for the discs starting from where the discs were made to shipping, etc.

Now I may be a little more picky when it comes to my HD DVDs, but I want what I paid for, plain and simple.

I have had to return "combo" HD DVDs for everything from scratches (and this is number one) to other small issues that can become big disc problems down the road, such as small bubbles visible between the layers that are located near the outer edges of the disc.

The single biggest complaint I have with the scratches is that, most of them are preventable. Take for example the tiny piece of paper that accompanies many of the combos on the market today. These are the small pieces of paper warning that you must update to the latest firmware in order to enjoy all that this disc has to offer. Well, during shipping, while the other inserts stay in place, this small piece of paper becomes loose and wreaks havoc on the playing surface. These discs don't take much to scratch, as most of you know, and the "side-up" that receives the scratching is the standard DVD side, but I still won't settle for having to put up with scratches when I just paid around $35-$40 for the disc, and I shouldn't have to.

One other issue that has almost vanished (thankfully) is the mysterious fingerprints that show up on everything from standard DVDs to HD DVDs. I have had fingerprints on new HD DVDs and DVDs that are actual glue impressions! Almost as if the person responsible for the packaging of these discs got some of the glue used to seal both sides of the disc together on his/her fingers and then touched the playing surface of the disc, rendering it useless and unplayable. Thankfully I have only encountered this a few times during the hundreds of purchases that I have made over the years.

Thanks for listening to my rant. :)

Let's hope we see a quick demise of the combo HD DVDs, very soon.

-Murray
I bought my first combo last Friday.. LOTD.. I tried to compare the HD version to the SD version.. But in scene 3 or so on the SD version it just stops playing, & says error or can't read disk..I have a Toshiba A2 by the way..

Count me in the anti combo camp. I just got 300 HD DVD Combo and it freezes up. The same happened with Music and Lyrics HD DVD Combo and Children of Men HD DVD Combo. All this from a format that is trying to establish itself. First they make us pay more for a disc that has a SD version most of us don't even want. Then the manufacturing process is so faulty that easily one out of two are defective. They may have me locked into the HD DVD format. But if I was trying to decide between the two, this on going defect with HD discs would probably sway me into the other camp. And yet the problem keeps cropping up. I think the people running this format are a sleep at the wheel.

I have never had one problem with a combo, HD DVD or SD DVD sides included.

IF you are truly getting bad title after bad title, perhaps logic suggests you should check the rest of your gear?

If combos really had issues nearly as bad as some of you are trying to convince others (seemingly on a crusade to do so) then there would be far more people reporting random problems, not just the same group people having the same problem with every single combo disc.

I apologize to those of you who have had genuine issues, but there are people on this forum who want to see the combo disc eliminated for political reasons.

Scratches and fingerprints on new discs have nothing to do with "maybe check your actual home theater gear or components". Again, my original post goes back to this issue and this issue alone. We all see the "_______" combo won't play, yada, yada, yada, I am referring to sloppy manufacturing that sees disc assembly workers not wearing gloves, etc. that leads to finger prints and smudges on brand new, sealed product! Kind of like buying a brand new baseball jersey only to find that it comes pre-stained with mustard and overpriced pale ale.

-Murray

Scratches and fingerprints on new discs have nothing to do with "maybe check your actual home theater gear or components". Again, my original post goes back to this issue and this issue alone. We all see the "_______" combo won't play, yada, yada, yada, I am referring to sloppy manufacturing that sees disc assembly workers not wearing gloves, etc. that leads to finger prints and smudges on brand new, sealed product! Kind of like buying a brand new baseball jersey only to find that it comes pre-stained with mustard and overpriced pale ale.

-Murray

Where do you live and where do you get your combos?

I ask because I've never seen fingerprints on any Combo's I have, yet other users report having this issue repeatedly.

I suspect it's a regional problem. Perhaps you live in new york, order from amazon which ships from say Philadelphia warehouse, which get's its' HD-DVD's from kentuky. Where-as I live in Oklahoma, order from amazon that ships from say Houston, which get's HD-DVD's manufactured in Austin. (Theoretical locations, I've got no idea where anything comes from or is manufactured).

Chances are there's one sloppy HD-DVD combo plant out there. Hopefully Universal/Warner catches on and gets it straightened out. The only solution (short term) I can think of is order combo's from a different vendor where you know the location is different. Or have relative who live elsewhere order for you, or buy from Best Buy and then ship to you. (yeah I know a pain in the ass solution)

Love the combos - never had a problem, never had fingerprints out of the box...

First off, I love HD DVD, but like the majority of you guys, I can't stand combo discs.

I would say that for every "combo" disc I buy, I return 3 as defectives. Thanks to the exposed playing surface on both sides, there is little protection for the discs starting from where the discs were made to shipping, etc.

Now I may be a little more picky when it comes to my HD DVDs, but I want what I paid for, plain and simple.

I have had to return "combo" HD DVDs for everything from scratches (and this is number one) to other small issues that can become big disc problems down the road, such as small bubbles visible between the layers that are located near the outer edges of the disc.

The single biggest complaint I have with the scratches is that, most of them are preventable. Take for example the tiny piece of paper that accompanies many of the combos on the market today. These are the small pieces of paper warning that you must update to the latest firmware in order to enjoy all that this disc has to offer. Well, during shipping, while the other inserts stay in place, this small piece of paper becomes loose and wreaks havoc on the playing surface. These discs don't take much to scratch, as most of you know, and the "side-up" that receives the scratching is the standard DVD side, but I still won't settle for having to put up with scratches when I just paid around $35-$40 for the disc, and I shouldn't have to.

One other issue that has almost vanished (thankfully) is the mysterious fingerprints that show up on everything from standard DVDs to HD DVDs. I have had fingerprints on new HD DVDs and DVDs that are actual glue impressions! Almost as if the person responsible for the packaging of these discs got some of the glue used to seal both sides of the disc together on his/her fingers and then touched the playing surface of the disc, rendering it useless and unplayable. Thankfully I have only encountered this a few times during the hundreds of purchases that I have made over the years.

Thanks for listening to my rant. :)

Let's hope we see a quick demise of the combo HD DVDs, very soon.

-Murray

Wonderful post and I couldn't agree more! Same goes for double sided DVDs. I always put the OAR side down to protect it more, and the HD-DVD side down on the combos, but it still irritates me. I want disc art and a less scratchable side to help with my clumsy fingers on the front. These are expensive investments, and the double sided discs are almost impossible for me to keep in pristine condition, and I'm really careful.....

Where do you live and where do you get your combos?

I ask because I've never seen fingerprints on any Combo's I have, yet other users report having this issue repeatedly.

I suspect it's a regional problem. Perhaps you live in new york, order from amazon which ships from say Philadelphia warehouse, which get's its' HD-DVD's from kentuky. Where-as I live in Oklahoma, order from amazon that ships from say Houston, which get's HD-DVD's manufactured in Austin. (Theoretical locations, I've got no idea where anything comes from or is manufactured).

Chances are there's one sloppy HD-DVD combo plant out there. Hopefully Universal/Warner catches on and gets it straightened out. The only solution (short term) I can think of is order combo's from a different vendor where you know the location is different. Or have relative who live elsewhere order for you, or buy from Best Buy and then ship to you. (yeah I know a pain in the ass solution)

I live in Vancouver, British Columbia. I have ordered HD DVDs from Amazon.com, bought HD DVDs from Best Buy, Future Shop and London Drugs (all in Vancouver) and all have had this problem. But, when we shop down in Washington State and I buy HD DVDs from Best Buy (Bellingham, Burlington, Marysville), there is never any problems....go figure? Guess I should start buying all of my combos there? But then again, we are only in the US 4-5 times a year and sometimes I want my HD DVDs now! ;)

-Murray

I am growing suspicious of all these spontaneous eruptions of combo/twin format gripes . As I said I'm not a fan of combos, but they can be brilliantly used. I've had less problems with Combo than I have had with regular DVD flipper disks.
Hot Fuzz, 300, Superman Returns, 16 blocks, Fearless, Slither, Children of Men, Firewall, Happy Feet, The Departed, Breach, Letters from iwo Jima, all worked fine

I'm not say you guys haven't had problems, just the opposite. I've had problems with universal flipper disks, and I can't remember any issues with warner's twin disk widescreen and pan and scan disks, but I'm sure there were some for somebody.

However when sony is outspending HD 10-1 on propaganda, I get curious when then Combo complaints erupt. 300 has them , Hot Fuzz didn't. 300 was/is a threat to Blu.

I may have been lucky getting in to HD after better firmware is available.
I've had better luck playing HD disks with scratches and other marks on them, a few rentals I though I 'd have trouble with (Fearless and Superman Returns) played like a champ, I know DVDs in similar condition that gave more problems.


One question I haven't heard addressed before, since HD is so very similar to DVD can the same recovery (I forget the proper term) used for scratches on DVD and Cd's be used for HD?

the latest firmware fixes this problem.

I Wouldn't know, Happy Feet was mediocre IMO so therefore I got rid of it :)