Thanks for the response.Since I've posted this, I've been in contact with Pioneer over possible replacement of two rotted, recent
LD releases. The most recent contact
was from their 'Claims' dept, and
was a request for shipping address
and daytime contact numbers. So I guess
I'll keep the fingers crossed!
As to LD's penchant for deterioration
over time. I don't know that it is the media's size necessarily. From what I've
been told, it is due to poor quality
control during manufacture, where
impurities are sandwitched between
layers and as such catalyse the 'rot
process'. The materials and adhesives
involved, also play a role here as well.
And depending on where it was pressed
always seems to be the issue, as a
certain Sony pressing plant's mint
markings come to mind. Be that as
it may, my personal experience with
rot has only been in the 2-3% range.
The durability of CDs may in fact be a precurser to DVD longevity. I personally
have not experienced any degradation
in sound quality, I have a huge CD
library, some titles 15 years old.
Different materials and adhesives will
play a role as well here, but for
all intent and purpose the CD lifespan
should be indefinite.
I would think the DVD would be similar,
allbeit the construction is similar
to that of LD, the manufact quality
control and quality of raw materials
and bonding agents should be up
a few more notches from CD even.
Remains to be seen I guess...
Anyways, from what I've been able to
glean from newsgroups and such since,
is that there is an unwritten refund
policy with rotted LD media.
Pioneer's request for shipping info,
is a start, so hopefully they'll
follow through and do the right thing!
Andy.
