DVD-Ds, also referred to as disposable DVDs^[1], are a type of digital video disc that is designed to be used for a maximum 48 hours after the containing package is opened.^[2] After this time, the DVDs become unreadable to DVD players^[1] because they contain a chemical that, after the set period of time, will cause a DVD player to display a "No Disc" message when inserted.^[1] However, if a movie or audio production is in progress, the media may be played until the conclusion even if the 48 hours have expired.^{[citation needed]} The DVD-D becomes void directly after if a production was paused or stopped then is played to the end post-48 hour expiration window. The medium in itself is copy protection neutral and does not require additional Digital Rights Management types of applications to be installed for the content to be accessible.^[1] Some people^[who?] also suspected that the coating did not react with sunlight or air, but rather with the laser of the DVD player.^[3] The technology used for DVD-Ds is different from that for earlier disposable DVDs. The earlier discs were isolated from exposure to air. When the packaging was opened, a special coating on the disc started to decay due to a chemical reaction with the surrounding air. As the reaction progressed the disc surface changed its color and after a predetermined time it became unreadable.^[4]

[edit] See also

• DIVX (Digital Video Express) and Flexplay, two other disposable disc formats
• Disc rot, the unintended decay of optical discs due to physical or chemical deterioration

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• DVD-D Germany Ltd Website
• [1]
• DVD-D Flanders (Belgium) Website aka. 48-DVD.be

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