On Sat, 07 Dec 2002 22:43:07 GMT, "urabob"
<urabob@nospamworldnet.att.net> wrote:

>So, I guess I am a little late in getting the Eva DVDs by Manga.  God, they
>are awful.  The first disc is bad as the second side won't play in my
>player.  But the Second is worst, as the later half of the movie tends to
>hick up.  I wrote Manga about this, but so far nothing.  Has anyone else
>experienced these troubles???  Is there a way to fix this?
>
>rc


Wealth of information on the matter can be found here:
<http://forums.animeondvd.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=13>

Short version:
(specific to Region 1 "End of Evangelion" DVD from Manga
Entertainment)
Manga finally confirms some defective discs were shipped:
<http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/article.php?id=2767>
>>>
"First off, Keith acknowledged that some of the DVDs were in fact
defective and explains the actual defect. Of approximately 70 000 End
of Eva DVDs produced, one batch of about 5000 did not press correctly,
resulting in the second layer being somewhat off-center. Depending on
the DVD player, this resulted in anything from some minor skipping, to
the second part of the DVD being completely unplayable."
<<<

Disc exchange program:
<http://www.animeondvd.com/press/manga/manga022.php>
>>>
"If you have experienced difficulties playing your disc, we recommend
the following:

1.If you have purchased a possible problematic disc, please return it
to your store for an exchange. It is highly likely that the
replacement disc will perform correctly.

2.If this procedure does not work for you, please send us your disc
including the packaging to:

Manga Entertainment
Evangelion DVD
P.O. Box 482
Lincolnshire, Il 60069-0482
<<<


FWIW the replacement I received from Manga did work (though it was a
five week wait), but have read that this has not consistently been the
case for others.  
If you are able to play such a disc, reportedly the R4 (Australia)
Madman disc is a superior product to this. Otherwise probably best to
find a local vendor that will let you test the disc in-shop, and still
allow exchange if it doesn't work on your own system. 
Wonder if some of this is worth adding to the FAQ?  Likely will come
up again as bad discs continue to circulate...
        -K