Flexplay (also known as EZ-D when first launched) was an optical disc format for video developed by Flexplay Technologies and General Electric that was fully DVD-Video compatible, the main difference being a mechanism to make the disc unplayable after a certain length of time. The format was intended as a means for rental of new films without the need for returning discs after use, and it enabled shops other than video rental outlets to offer access to movies for little more than the cost of a rental. The idea of being able to borrow a DVD and not having to return it was one that had already been tried by DIVX in the late 1990s, but without a great deal of success.

Discs are supplied in a vacuum-sealed inner package and after opening, the bonding resin holding the inner and outer layers together reacts to oxygen and turns from a dark red to black in about 48 hours making the disc unplayable. The discs also carried a play before date inside the outer cover, since the the the bonding agent would slowly oxidise over time oven if the inner seal was not broken. All existing Flexplay discs are very likely to be unplayable now.

Other than the bonding resin Flexplay discs are the same as DVD discs, but do not carry the DVD logo.

Test marketing of Flexplay discs began in 2003, with eight titles from Buena Vista, and the first national release for a film in the US was 2004. Discs began to be sold in Japan under the trademark 48dvd in 2005. In June 2008, Flexplay was relauched and it was announced that Staples would be selling Flexplay discs. However, a few months later, Staples cleared out its remaining stock.

Figures

Dimensions: 120 mm x 1.2 mm

Capacity: 4.7 GB (single layer), 8.5 GB (dual layer)

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