April 18, 2009: POD Technology For DVDs

Warner Brothers has released 150 titles from its archives in DVD. This in itself is not unheard of; what's new (or at least unusual) is their method of manufacturing and distribution. Customers will order the discs direct from WBShop.com, who presses to order. WB avoids any inventory hassles, and movie buffs get access to hundreds of films that have traditionally been collector's items.

The POD concept isn't new, of course -- we've used the technology ourselves several times. But applying it to DVDs is. Short-run manufacturing is maturing; are matter compilers (ala Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age) far behind?

-- Paul Chapman