Self Erasing DVD-D Format Single Play and Time Limited DVDs Hit European Market

There’s already a veritable array of DVD formats on offer - DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM – and now we have another in the form of the self erasing DVD-D format which has already hit Europe offering either single play or time limited use prior to their contents expiring and the discs becoming unreadable.

The new DVD-D format has already begun appearing in numerous counties in Europe such as Germany, France, Italy and Scandinavia with movies being offered that will only remain readable by DVD players for 48 hours after the DVDs seal has been broken though a time limited DVD-D offering a mere 24 hour life prior to becoming unreadable is also available as is a single play only disc.

Though the discs already available offer movies, it’s thought that the new DVD-D disc may become the media of preference for many software companies offering demos of their applications though, somewhat ironically, these new DVD-D discs will not negate the need for copy protection as there appears to be nothing stopping the end user making a copy of these discs from the first play or within the time limited period prior to the discs becoming unreadable.

The new DVD format may also find a market in the movie rental sector with rented movies not requiring returning on account of expiring, the discs instead being disposed of once the movie’s been viewed.

DVD Org