Blade Runner Criterion CAV Laserdisc manufactured by 3M.

Hi there everybody,

Just recently joined and this is my first post, so a big hello to everybody out there!

My question concerns the Criterion CAV Laserdisc edition of Blade Runner. I recently got a copy of this disc, and have noticed what appears to be what I would describe as "speckles" on parts of the picture. These so-called "speckles" also appear in the black borders of the image too. My first thought was that the disc was suffering from laser-rot (I believe discs manufactured by 3M had this problem), but on inspection of all the discs, they look perfectly fine.

Those with this particular laserdisc, a good example of the sort of thing I'm talking about can be found on side 4, at frame 29618. On my copy you can clearly see 3 distinct "speckles". Does anyone else's copy suffer from this problem?

Any help anyone could give would be most appreciated!
Thanks again,
Alex.

i know that CD media on computers and DVD media (basically, plastic disposable media) has a problem with data loss after a few years. i have some older pc games, not a single scratch on the discs yet some of the files are inacessable on the discs. this is CD and DVD media though, im not too sure about laserdisc, but it could be the same issue. this might be the problem, the disc looks flawless, but deep underneath there's data corrupted and degrading going on.

Remember, if my memory serves me right, laserdisc video is ANALOG (the audio can be digital), so think about it this way. You could have a perfect-looking record, but when you play it it might crack, pop, etc. Could be from the disc being scratched or just dirty or the play heads or ???? Point is, analog sources can get this type of "noise" easily because of all sorts of reasons. Now, if it were digital-based, you'd either see the picture or you wouldn't. I'm sure your disc is just a little old or your player is or both.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserdisc

"Like on a CD, the surface of a laserdisc is composed of aluminium foil covered by pits and lands, but Laserdisc video was stored in analog format. So whereas on an audio CD (or DVD) the pits and lands will signify binary codes, on an LD the pits are created using frequency modulation of an analog signal."

"To make matters worse, many early laserdiscs were not manufactured properly; sometimes a substandard adhesive was used to sandwich together the two sides of the disc, causing it to delaminate slightly, allowing oxygen to cause the metallic part of the discs to oxidize. This eventually destroyed the disc, a process known as "laser rot" among LD enthusiasts. Early CDs suffered similar problems, including a notorious batch of defective discs manufactured by Philips-DuPont Optical in Europe during the early 1990s."


didnt know much about laserdiscs until now. its all nice to know.

Thanks for all the replies people!

I'm very confused about this. For all I know the Laserdisc could be in perfect condition. It could just be how the transfer is (the transfer was done in 1987 I believe). I guess the only way to be 100% sure is to find somebody (perhaps on these very boards) who could check out the particular frame I mentioned...29618 on side 4.

Once again, I must thank you people for taking the time to answer my message. This really does seem like a community of very nice people. I look forward to taking part in future discussions.

Thanks again,
Alex.

without reading all the pre-posts, it sounds like a case of laser-rot.

to think that i shelled out on a dual sided pioneer player, and then DVD hit the streets weeks later. the way the discs were pressed is far from the way the discs are made now. i did indeed have a few old analoge discs that suffered the same fate.

answer - bin them

I know this is probably a bit late, but as a fellow owner of a 3M manufactured Criterion CAV set, I can tell you that yes, the discs are known to occasionally rot. As noted above laser rot is:

"a manufacturing defect whereby the two halves of a laserdisc are improperly glued together, allowing air and other impurities to get in between. This causes a visible degradation of the image in the form of multi-colored speckles on screen. It usually starts from the edge and works its way inwards, meaning the beginning or ending of a side first."

If you're only seeing specks in this one area then it could be just a case of video dropout ("individual white speckles in fixed locations that are present from the first time you play the disc and never spread or get worse.") I can't give you a definitive answer because my copy does indeed have a mild case of laser rot throughout all four sides, so identifying specific specks is impossible.

By running my finger along the outside of the discs I can actually feel the glue residue. Do your discs feel tacky to the touch? The Criterion BR discs are not universally known as "rotters" mostly because of just how many print runs/manufacturers were involved. As an example, the following mint marks can be found on the Criterion discs:

Pioneer USA:
51-045A1-034 D4040114
51-045B1-032 D4020152
51-045C1-12 D4010098
51-045D1-17 D4020211

3M/Imation:
MADE BY 3M USA 9770M
MADE BY 3M USA 9771I
MADE BY 3M USA 9772V
MADE BY 3M USA 9773L

My copy has a mint mark of MADE BY 3M 9770C and the jacket is labeled First Printing, 1987. You may have lucked out and gotten a later printing by 3M without defect.

Even in the case of my discs' mild rot, tossing the set in the trash is a bit harsh. It's still the best way to see the International Cut of the film (Warner Japan licensed the Criterion Collection's video transfer but those discs are said to have a slightly softer image.) It'd be interesting to hear what an owner of a Pioneer USA pressing has to report about their sets.

It'd be interesting to hear what an owner of a Pioneer USA pressing has to report about their sets.

Hello,

Given subtitles are placed outside the picture, I would advise for a Japanese LD pressing (either CAV w/ some of the Criterion supplements or CLV) pressed by Pioneer Japan.

3M history for rot is quite bad.

Regards,
Julien