Should I be concerned about buying DVD18s (Double-sided, double-layered)

I've heard quite a bit of vague concern about this particular type of DVD,
but been having trouble finding any articles that fully explain the problem.

Is it that the number of layers makes the DVD more likely to become
corrupted (something similar to dvd rot on DVD9)? Or is it that some DVD
players can play them and some can't? (In which case, I imagine I'd be safe.
Had no trouble playing Casino or Ben-Hur. Did have some trouble playing 1
(rented) disk of the three-disk Outer Limits collection (no apparent
scratches on the disk, but it wouldn't play some of the second & fourth
episode) but in that case I don't think it was even DVD18 (four episodes on
one side, and two on the other.)

So, summarising my earlier question; I wonder if someone can point me to
some reasonably in-depth articles on this question? Been thinking of buying
the new Region1 'Dune' and the 'Bela Lugosi Collection,' but I know the Bela
Lugosi Collection particularly has been criticised a lot for DVD players not
playing most of 'The Raven' properly.

 

On 02/02/06 03:18, The Man With No Name uttered the following...

I can't really comment as I only have 2 double-sided DVDs and both are
single -layered

I suppose you would run twice the risk of de-lamination.

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DVD18 has always been part of the DVD spec from day one, the only cause for
concern would be if discs were incorrectly mastered and manufactured at
source, but this can also happen with single layer (DVD5) and dual layer
discs (DVD9).

Do watch out for any cloudiness on the surface of the discs (telltale sign
of bad quality control at factory) but apart from that dual layered/double
sided discs are fine.

 

In the case of DVD18's from Universal, just verify that they play all
the way through by fast forwarding them. If there is a bad section on
the DVD the fast forwarding will choke up. I double check it by going
around the time it choked up and see if the problem shows in normal
playback. If you've never seen the movie or show before you can turn the
tv to cable and watch the elapsed time readout and check it out if it
freezes.

There is nothing really wrong with DVD18's but Universal was doing bad
at it for a time (they might have improved).

For the record I have Bela Lugosi collection and Dune. I watched all the
movies on Lugosi with no problem and checked out Dune by way of fast
forwarding with no problems.

However I did find problems on other Universal DVD 18's for Emergency!,
Adam 12, Columbo, McCloud and Mallrats.

In the case of multi disc sets I make sure to get them from Best Buy who
so far has allowed me to swap out bad discs.

For single disc ones, it should be no deal with anybody to exchange if
you find a problem, just keep the recept.