DualDisc CD-DVD combo starts running into compatibility issues

As the RIAA is anxious to replace the CD with DualDisc in an aim to bring consumers back into the shops, the DualDisc is starting to run into compatibility issues with certain players as consumers are beginning to discover.  While the DualDisc packaging does have a disclaimer mentioning that the disc does not conform to CD specifications, most consumers are ignoring this.  Manufacturers have already started providing disclaimers with their equipment as advised by lawyers, warning about playability issues or discs getting stuck or scratched in the case with slot-in drives. If you copy, please show your appreciation by linking back to cdfreaks.
So far very few problems have been reported by consumers, despite over 2 million DualDiscs already sold.  Some well-known artists have even already starting releasing DualDisc-only releases.  The music industry hopes for the migration from CDs to DualDiscs to go smoothly in an aim to lure consumers back to purchasing music on physical media again.  

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However when consumers were surveyed about DualDisc, around 6% of them were not happy with the format, mainly due to compatibility issues.  The most common issue is the player refusing to play the disc for several load attempts.  Another common issue is consumers forgetting to put the disc on its correct side since the DVD side will not play in a CD player and the extra DVD features are not available on the CD side.

DualDisc, the hot-selling new music product that combines a CD and a DVD on one disc, carries some ominous fine print.

On each DualDisc package comes the disclaimer that the audio side of the disc does not conform to CD specifications and may not play on all DVD and CD players.

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Even more troubling are the disclaimers from the manufacturers of CD and DVD playback devices. Most warn that DualDiscs may not play on their equipment, particularly slot-in devices where you insert a disc and the machine grabs and pulls it in. Some warn that the DualDiscs could get stuck or scratched. JVC and Onkyo flatly tell their customers not to use DualDisc products until further testing can be done.

Yet consumers appear to be ignoring the dire warnings and to date have reported relatively few problems to retailers and DualDisc manufacturers. Music industry officials say more than 2 million DualDiscs have already been purchased, and predict sales will accelerate in the wake of successful DualDisc-only releases by such big-name artists as Bruce Springsteen and Rob Thomas.

Read the full, rather lengthy article here.

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If DualDisc does take over the CD, the one drawback I see besides the odd compatibility issues is that the discs would look rather plain apart from the middle, much like a record.  As a regular jewel case can hold two CDs, I would prefer to see a CD along with a separate DVD containing the bonus content in the same jewel case and only see them use DualDisc where the album would consist of two audio CDs to start with.  If you copy, please give credit for our work by linking back to cdfreaks in your copy.
In my opinion, as many DualDiscs contain
copy protection measures,
these may cause more compatibility issues than the actual disc not complying with the required CD thickness.  As the music industry aims to use the bonus DVD side content to encourage consumers to purchase the discs, I don't see any point in crippling the CD side.

Source: bostom.com - Business

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