Oddity Archive: Episode 242.1 - The Eraser Laserdisc Experiment

[@vwestlife]

I thought you were actually going to try rubbing an eraser on a LaserDisc! Not sure why anyone would want to do that, but that's what I thought the title meant at first.

[@chrisjamesr77]

That's totally what I was thinking, lol

[@yogibear2k220]

Funny, I immediately thought of a Laserdisc Rewriteable disk. Was there such a thing?

[@betamaxblocker]

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking that...

[@Fuzy2K]

That'd be the Laserdisc Eraser Experiment :P

[@HunterSkowronPDX]

@@yogibear2k220 yes they exist

[@luisreyes1963]

Thanks, Benny. That WB Home Video fanfare is gonna be stuck in my head for days! 😜

[@Cinemagic77]

14:09 That's an RCA SGT-250 on the shelf there next to the CLD-D605 Laser player.

[@opp31337]

glad you actually checked both sides... i have a copy of Arthur that plays perfect side A/1 but side B/2 wont even play in one of my machines and is like watching a weak static filled broadcast version on the other machine i have.

[@paul8926]

I’ve only had a few visible rot on a handful of laserdiscs in my collection, not many.

[@marktubeie07]

Benny boy, I just checked my copy again. First checked back in 2016 I noted 20% slight rot side 2 only, again in 2020 with no change and finally today and again no change. Lucky I guess?!

[@kdepp90]

Omg I've never seem a video disc that huge before!! I mean, I've heard of Laser Discs and the possibilty of Laser rot (back in the late 2000's even looking up information on how to remove scratches from CDs/DVDs), but have never actually SEEN what a Laser Disc looked like until now! I just thought it was another way of saying DVD, like I literally thought it was/was the same size as a DVD. Now I know!

[@SmeddyTooBestChannel]

it's a completely fundamentally different format as well! purely analog (save for later audio tracks using dts and whatnot) and closer to a VHS functionally than a DVD. completely linear playback, movies would be stored on multiple discs/sides if it was too long, no menus, but video quality well above what was expected at the time (and with an appropriately high cost to boot!).

[@thishandle.wasnttaken]

If it means anything about the value of this film, I got a sealed Japanese copy (the version that has AC-3) of this film for 300 yen. Has the same video master, save for hardcoded Japanese subs. One thing to note though is that sealed or not sealed, the disc will rot anyways. People have learned that hard way with (in a strange twist of fate,) Warner HD-DVDs, and I would assume that LDs aren't much different.

[@cycvukhabevuke6306]

Any rotted japan made LDs?

[@matthewgaudet4064]

@@cycvukhabevuke6306 , yes. I have several. It isn't only manufacturing its also age and storage that lead to it. Remember its glue holding the discs together, they were never meant to be archival. Definitively not meant to last decades. Stored in a non humid, cool dry place and not coming from a bad pressing plant help. I have discs that don't have video rot but nonetheless are visibly oxidized and even smell. Eventually they will fail and no longer play. I just recently got a rotted copy of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Its very slight but does have some playback issues. The title i have bought that had multiple bad copies is Return of the Jedi. The first issue pan and scan. A lot of time i find the LDDB lists aren't helpful since so few people report a rotten copy, unless its infamous. Even i stopped reporting every single laserdisc with rot too time consuming. Its an issue well known with the format you have to buy multiple copies of some films to end up with a non rotted copy. Everybody knows DADC USA is bad. Everyone knows PDO UK is bad.

[@Watcher3223]

@@matthewgaudet4064 _"I have discs that don't have video rot but nonetheless are visibly oxidized and even smell"_ I never heard of rotted discs smelling; some discs still smell like new plastic. As for "visibly oxidized" but doesn't exhibit visible dropouts or specking, that sounds like PDO UK, though it could also be 3M. PDO UK discs can develop a dark discoloration of the aluminum reflective substrate, but some discs that have this may still play okay. On the other hand, 3M rot will exhibit visible dropouts and speckling in the picture alongside visible hazing, spotting, and/or pitting of the aluminum reflective substrate. If your copy of "Nausicaa: Valley of the Wind" is a Japanese release from around 1984, then it was pressed by Pioneer Video Japan according to the LDDb. If this is accurate, even though the LDDb doesn't report it as a rotter, it's not surprising your copy may exhibit some signs of rot. Around the early 1980s was about the time that Pioneer Japan actually had some quality issues. Although adhesive is used to bond two disc halves together to form one rigid double-sided disc, that alone doesn't necessarily mean the disc will rot. A defect in the adhesive and/or a a problem in the bonding process could be a cause, however. But, usually, a disc that still plays good today will probably remain that way for many more years ... possibly a few decades more ... provided that they are properly stored. It's more likely that we'll be unable to play these discs once the supply of functional players run out.

[@thepirategamerboy12]

For me personally, I've never had a single DADC USA disc that played perfectly.

[@cessnaace]

My DADC USA copy played fine the last time I tried it. "Eraser" was also released on LaserDisc in NTSC twice in Japan (Pioneer Japan) and Hong Kong (Kuraray). Unlike the U.S. release, those releases have AC-3 and no reported cases of rot. I have about 1,700 LaserDiscs. Approx. 10 have rot. DMI Disctronics (a U.S. plant) produced stunning discs, although I only own a few.

[@bradjones1977]

That Warner logo always reminds me of a Monty Python VHS tape I had with it on, possibly 'Parrot Sketch Not Included' (which to be fair, was true to its word... it wasn't).

[@JosephASobora]

"You've just been erased in Laserdisc rot!"

[@thatguyontheright1]

I do think rot is a bit exaggerated sometimes. I have several releases that are described as "rotters" that are totally fine, including Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Minor Speckling at the start but other than that, watchable. Only major rot I've come across is my Aliens special edition CAV set.

[@georgerehmert4494]

Yeah same here. My worst Laser rot case is Superman The Movie 1983 Laserdisc. Side 1 is ok, Sides 2 and 3 are the worst case, which is just some speckles and somewhat crackly audio.

[@jerlg]

Only bad rot LD I happened to have was First Night. Crystal clear when purchased. And just a few years 3-4, it looked like I was watching a poor UHF broadcast. Got rid of it.

[@thepirategamerboy12]

@@jerlg Fright Night is also a DADC USA pressing if it's widescreen. Shame because it's a very fun movie.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

the star wars definitive collection US pressing is in my collection. rotted beyond playing. My Japan version is rot free.

[@gerrychaplin5773]

Heh. The flicking of the chapters makes me feel like I'm playing night trap

[@luedriver]

from the title I thought you found a way to erase and rewrite old laserdiscs

[@rmx77]

in my case my pressing of eraser is perfect no rot. it has been played on a few of my 9 laserdisc players. this is a favorite of mine and hope to keep it around as long as i can. my best player is my dvl-919 laserdisc dvd combo player. got it with the remote and manual original box is gone but its a special unit indeed.

[@RocketboyX]

Is that a WATA rated sealed copy?

[@OddityArchive]

If only on principle, no.

[@mrmonty86]

When I think Eraser, I think Total Recall meets Men in Black.

[@ColeHomeVideo]

Directed by Chuck Russell (Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, The Blob remake, The Mask).

[@Firthy2002]

They remade The Blob? Why would you do such a thing?

[@ColeHomeVideo]

@@Firthy2002 The remake is just as great as the original, some argue it's superior.

[@Firthy2002]

@@ColeHomeVideo I get worried when people try and remake the classics. Will have to check it out.

[@doctorwhofan6340]

Cool video man.👍 today I was a thrift store and in a box a records I found a lazer disk copy of the Stephen Segal movie out for justice. No like cover just in a white sleeve and it's got CX noise reduction apparently. Dunno if my disk is the only one I need but I've never had a lazer disk before so I'm glad I found it.

[@RocketboyX]

Oh, an Arnold S film, very nice.

[@SherlockHoles2012]

8:28 He had to catch a train

[@WannaBeCanadians]

I have the same lexicon ac3-rf

[@apriltimelady5006]

Now do Starship Troopers and any early MCA DiscoVision titles!

[@matthewgaudet4064]

I have Discovision Flash Gordon its fine. I won't say no rot there is some speckling but it is so minor. Its not a horror story of rot like Dracula.

[@apriltimelady5006]

@tros Now let me know when you have a stack of Jaws DiscoVision discs lol

[@JWD1992]

I am pretty sure I have this on LD. I also seem to recall it having issues. I really need to go down in the basement and check my old box of LDs that I haven't played in over a decade. I used to adore this format back in the day, but the widespread adoption of HD drew my eyes elsewhere.

[@PurpKing4377]

i always wondered what happened to the CED player after its Bens Junk

[@OddityArchive]

Yup, still on the rack. Just haven’t done any CED stuff on OA in several years now.

[@PurpKing4377]

@@OddityArchive not added anymore titles to ya collection then

[@OddityArchive]

Some, but just regular movies.

[@clyth41]

I have a copy of this film and it is totally rot free, it plays brilliantly the sound and pictures are perfect... 👍👍

[@manuelvalderrama7483]

Now we have much information about LD Eraser ... Thanks :) .

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

I’ve been tempted by Eraser just for a whim but always pass on it. There are DADC rot free discs out there. I stumbled across a rot free The Net which is another notorious one. The Professional is really bad and totally rotted. Always, always look for DADC Austria pressings when available because they are rot free.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

are there non rotted copies of Willow, or Batman Returns. I have Returns on a rental Japan copy so no rot. But the US release is supposed to be trash.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

@@matthewgaudet4064 I have a rot free Returns so they’re out there. My Batman & Robin only has a tiny bit of speckling at the start of side 3. Willow is supposed to be a total rotter so I’ve never tried it.

[@michaelcarpenter2498]

A couple should wed signs of rotting but it was not a good transfer

[@megamasher3]

When you say you’re not worried about the S304 being destroyed, did you mean you don’t expect it to break or you just don’t care if it does? I recently got a similar S104 unit and am trying to gauge how much life is left in it, lol

[@OddityArchive]

I was referring to putting a cracked disc in the 304-it’s my main backup machine.

[@mason6300]

Do you run the librarian channel as well because you sound exactly like him

[@OddityArchive]

Given this is the first I've ever heard of it, I can safely say no.

[@mason6300]

​@@OddityArchive oh right, you must both come from the same area or something!

[@rwdplz1]

Hey the label clearly says ERASER

[@fosterlaff]

Minotte Media Labs, Inc. !!!!

[@mightyfilm]

There's a joke in there about the movie being erased from our collective consciousness, because I forgot it even existed until this video. I didn't even remember the Mad Magazine parody of it until I started typing.

[@gerrychaplin5773]

I remember two things. The grenade that shoots out the big nails The movie is very dull

[@mulletboater]

"Eraser" is really the most rot prone disc? What irony.

[@Firthy2002]

Maybe it's just pure luck that you found a bunch of copies in that condition. Although from the horror stories I've read about this title I was expecting at least 1 of them to look like a not quite tuned analogue TV signal.

[@andysummersthxcinemaandmyc7748]

he saw the 12:28 rot-crocodile

[@hicknopunk]

My only disc with rot is Space Ace

[@johnps1670]

Don't leave me this way.

[@PaulHenning84]

where do I get that mousepad?

[@OddityArchive]

It was either a Zazzle or an Etsy thing.

[@PaulHenning84]

@@OddityArchive cool who designed it?

[@OddityArchive]

Damned if I remember. Think it was someone in the U.K.

[@matthewgaudet4064]

What is wrong with the Japanese version, i thought only the US release was a rotter.

[@OddityArchive]

The Japanese issue is fine-only the U.S. one is a known issue.

[@keithmichael112]

This was probably the worst movie I've ever seen. the only thing I can remember about it is that he kills an alligator and calls it "luggage". These discs committed suicide

[@MushmouthJoe]

I saw this "film" at the theater when it was new. I can't remember why. It feels like there should be a reason. Doesn't it? Like... I couldn't have purchase tickets for this because it looked like a good time.

[@RarebitFiends]

Why is film in quotes? You don't seem terribly clever, so since you are asking the crowd I will venture a guess that you had poor taste in movies back in 1996, and maybe still.

[@MushmouthJoe]

@@RarebitFiends IDK, maybe I do. Is Eraser really considered a high standard in film making these days? I ask honestly since I'm really not a big budget action movie fan. That's not to say I hate all of them. But I'd prefer Evil Dead 2 over Die Hard any day. It's just a preference thing. Doesn't mean I think Die Hard is a shitty film. But Eraser, at the time, was the epitome of overblown, big budget, Hollywood crap. At least it was to me. If you like it, that's great. But not everyone is going to like the same films you do. It's ok for folks to dislike things & express it. No need to be offended. It's just a movie. I have come to expect current Disney Star Wars fans to be condescending to protect the honor of a movie. I just didn't expect it to happen over Eraser. Funniest thing that happened all day. Thanks.👍🏼

[@RarebitFiends]

@@MushmouthJoe Eraser is absolute garbage and that was apparent from the first teaser. It is considered a low water mark in Arnold's career. I was just sassing you for trying to distance yourself from seeing it theatrically while also admitting as much. 🙃 I assume you saw it when you were young and had not been exposed to enough stuff and as a result just naturally had poor taste like we all do at first. No shame in admitting to the crap we tried before we knew better, only one way to become knowledgeable and experienced. 😀

[@MushmouthJoe]

@@RarebitFiends Oh I get it now! Thanks for clearing that up. Yes. I was 18 & took a girl named Ginger. I thought Vanessa Williams was hot & really hoped to get laid. I did not.😔 Arnold ruined the whole evening. I have done a couple of film reviews on my channel & plan to do more soon. Feel free to watch & leave your kudos or displeasure for my juvenile takes.

[@RarebitFiends]

@@MushmouthJoe Haha, well I see PCU there so it can't be all bad. 😄

[@fiend4129]

Eraser Ld ntsc came in ... dolby surround while AC3 became common.. shame it wasn't AC3 ! shame explanation !! : "Warner stated in a press release, concerning the lack of Dolby Digital AC-3 Surround on this release: "Since 'Eraser (1996)' failed at the box-office, We felt that Dolby Digital on this title would not help increase sales much and would not justify paying the licensing fee.""

[@nickwallette6201]

Yeah, great, but .... how's the movie? :-D haha