So I was at Best Buy today, and I picked up a copy of a Disney DVD starring Chip & Dale. (the ORIGINAL Chip & Dale from the 1940's... yes, Chip and Dale existed before the Rescue Rangers got together...) It was cheap, and I used to love those cartoons, so why not? Anyway, I noticed this gem in tiny print:
Wow, the DVD starts automatically when inserted. What an amazing technological achievement! I must meet these godly DVD developers at Disney and shake their hands!
Err, I have a couple of movies that were released on DVD in 1999, when DVDs weren't even popular yet, that start automatically just fine when you insert them. Apparently, Disney felt that so many films out there throw huge complex animated menus and effects at you upon insertion, that simply playing the film when you put the disc in is now a "special feature".
Well, kudos to Disney for figuring out that people just want to watch the damn film, but jeez, a special feature!!? Not only that, but they even paid someone to come up with a funky-looking logo for this "special feature", and trademarked it!
This isn't the first time Disney misuses the term "special feature", of course. Let's take a look at a little box on the back of the "Lady and the Tramp" DVD... This was when they just started making DVDs, and they have since redeemed themselves in the features department, but... "Full character artwork on disc" a special feature? Next thing you know the hole in the middle will be a special feature! "Allows you to carry the disc more conveniently!"
One more thing, I noticed the words "Disney's FastPlay Patent Pending" at the very bottom of the back of this disc. I guess Disney felt left out of the club abusing the patent system. At least there's plenty of prior art if they DO try to sue someone over it.
It comes full circle.
Everything old is new again...only this time around, the primitive non-features come with modern patent bullshittery...
I wonder when someone will patent "phonograph hiss".
I bet they already have..
I bet some of the algorithms/methods used to generate artificial vinyl surface noise are patented. Believe it or not, sometimes when you hear vinyl surface noise on a dance/trance/techno track, it's not coming from real vinyl; it was actually added to the track because some people like that sound.
Some DJs that use CDs also add it to their mix sets so that people think they use vinyl. }:)
Contrived Vinyl
www.izotope.com
Proof indeed.