Disposables can be read

[Doramius]

I finally did some tests with disposable DVDs and here are my findings. Those of you that think I am burning copyrighted material and think that my findings are being posted for other reasons than for pure experiment and knowledge.......here's one reason to go f**k yourself ! Don't make me give 2.

Now that that's out of the way.

Here are my findings. The disc reads on any system like a regular disc. It is basically made the same way as any other DVD. The difference is a second layer of dye coating. Think of a traditional DVD sandwiched together. The disposables have a thin, extra layer. This extra layer is a reddish dye (or seems to be as normal DVDs are silver in color) that is reactive to the standard air we breathe. The color is pretty cool looking too. I had a little difficulty opening the package (because I used nail clippers instead of scissors, which I still can't find) so the disc was exposed to the air about 30min. before I put it in a player. The disc played continuously for around 46 1/2 hours until the system just froze like trying to read a scratched disc, and then stopped. I feel it probably would have played a little longer in a player with a slightly stronger laser, or maybe the heat of continuous play may have caused the reaction to happen a little faster.

Using another disposable disc, I copied it to DVDr (all copies have been microwaved to coasters) and the first day of recording were excellent. Just like new. The second day, the latter batches of discs made seem to have slight pixelation in certain players but still played. I did have a player that played it for 40min. and then froze pixelated. The disc is not recognized once the clouding is extensively noticable (about 47-48 hours after opening package). The disc turns black and looks similarly to some old PS1 games, however, it cannot be read by any laser (I've tried). I still have the discs and plan to do some more experimenting my taking the clouded disc apart in layers, and maybe microwaving a few to see what happens. I do not recommend trying the experiments on your own unless you have a few extra bucks as it's not cheap.

[BJ_M]

what about sealing the edges so that the air doesn't get in ? or opening and playing them in a pure nitrogen atmosphere ? (not that hard really)

[Doramius]

I told you it's not cheap. I'm getting some more from AZ as they are not abundantly available here in NV. I felt like doing certain tests first, instead of ruining the disc before I've had a chance to play or work with it. I will check those out too, but I think the dye is immediately reactive to the air. I read some information on it's manufacture and the dye chemicals need a 'setting' or curing period, which allows it to be made in a regular manufacturing plant. The chemical cannot be exposed to air once it is fully cured. I want to find out, once exposed to air, if it will continue it's clouding process after being sealed again. I will probably use several different sealants (IE: Krylon Clear, SuperGlue, Epoxy, modeling glue, etc.). YES, THIS IS ALL PART OF THE DORAMIUS SUPER CHEMISTRY SET YOU ALL HEARD ABOUT. I'll also be nuking a disposable disc while still sealed and a disc right after the package has been opened, but that will be later on. I'm even going to see what happens when one gets put though a full load of laundry after being opened (and maybe a packaged one through the dryer cycle).

PM me if you want to contribute funds to this effort. I will provide pics when I get through my experimenting. This project has become more interesting to me than my model trains. SCIENCE IS COOL!

[kyemeng]

Sealing it may be able to do it. Let us know of your findings.

[smearbrick1]

The only way you could seal it is if you opened it in a vacuum then sealed it.

Am I correct in assuming this?

[BJ_M]

open it maybe under water or in nitrogen -- it is probably oxygen that causes the reaction

[housepig]

question - is the extra layer directly on top of the normal-data layer, or is there any coating between them?

if it was data layer - coating - red, foggable layer - coating, I wonder if it's possible to take one of those disc-shaving "fix your scratched disk" devices and shave through the fogged layer...