DVD storage issue

[gardener14]

I couldn't find this discussed in an existing thread, but maybe it exists...

Does anyone else have so many dvd's that storage space becomes an issue? The cases consume much more space than the thin little discs and paperwork alone should. I'd like to know how other people handle this problem without compromising the inserts and covers of their dvd's. I haven't found a satisfactory storage case that would allow me to remove my discs and artwork from their original cases while still preserving them in an organized, presentable, and more space-conserving way. Can someone recommend a specific product?

[BrandonH]

There is no magic solution to the problem. For saving space, you might try using CD/DVD sleeve-type storage devices. You can keep them in alphabetical order with labels on the spine of each binder for organization. Some people use 100-disc changer DVD players, but I'm guessing you have more DVDs than that if you're really concerned about storage space.

DVD Profiler is a software tool that can be used as a catalogue for your collection. You can use it to make a note of where each disc is stored as an alternative to the alphabetical arrangement. It also has hi-def images of the front and back covers of most DVDs.

That leaves you with the inserts. If you're keeping the ads and old coupons, you may want to rethink that policy. Even chapter selection sheets are not that useful, since the Scene Selection menu provides that same information. For actual collectible booklets with interview comments or other valuable material, an alphabetized stack may be the way to go.

This advice is assuming your collection is not up to 1,000 or more titles. Once you reach that point, you might want to ask the people at Home Theater Forum (or Reyquila) what they do.

[blackcauldron85]

I'm having an issue with storage with my DVDs, CDs, and books. I have 3 shelving units, but they're all for the most part full, with some CDs just stacked on top of each other. I just today thought about putting my CDs and DVDs in sleeve-type storage booklets; for the CDs, I could just give away the jewel cases, but what about the DVDs? I could give away the cases, but what if a newer and better edition comes out and I want to sell the old version? I'd have to store my cases somewhere, I guess.

Disney Movie Club just came out with flip file storage trays and 10-packs of sleeves (you can find them under "merchandise" on the DMC website, or in the latest catalog. They're expensive, and I already have a bunch of sleeve-type storage booklets...

Maybe cheaper, similar file devices are around that would be good...

I have a couple questions about keeping your movies in a sleeve-type storage booklet- (a) When you get a new movie and you need to put it in order (either alphabetically or chronologically, or however you do it), you have to take out each movie after where the new one goes and put it in a new spot, huh? Will that easily scratch the DVDs? That leads me to my second question: (b) What kind of case do you use? A special one? CDs are easy to just reburn (I have all my music on the computer), but DVDs are more expensive, and if it gets scratched, you have to buy a whole new DVD. Do you use the same kind of generic cases you'd use for CDs, or is there a special brand or type you buy? Is scratching at a bare minimum or not at all?

[littlefuzzy]

Boxes... Lots of boxes...


Between my ~2200 DVDs, ~900 games, and thousands of hardback and paperback books, manga, etc., I have NO ROOM LEFT!!!

Seriously, I have at least 20 "coffee service" boxes that my mom brought from work. These hold a row of 24 DVDs plus 2-3 on the top. Besides that, I've filled the top of my closet, completely taken over the linen closet, filled a ~350 DVD shelf and 4 ~48 DVD shelves, and I still have stacks of DVDS...

[gardener14]

Thanks for the responses. I like the storage units that the Disney Movie Club has just come out with, but I can't seem to find something similar elsewhere. (I presume that if another retailer had something similar it would be less expensive). I'd like to be able to keep my covers and inserts intact and protected along with the dvd's themselves, but In a way that is outside of the unnecessarily bulky cases.

[BrandonH]

Empty thinpak cases are available for sale online, but I imagine those could get expensive pretty quickly, and the covers would be a little too long to fit inside without some bending or cutting.

[blackcauldron85]

I'm still having storage problems. My CDs and non-Disney DVDs are in CD/DVD binders, and I just put my Treasures, Classic Cartoon Favorites, etc., in a storage binder.

I read online, on some CD forum, that putting CD-Rs in these binders can cause small holes to form. Are CD-Rs the only media affected by long-term storage in these binders? Are CDs and DVDs okay to keep in these binders forever? I don't want to risk damaging my Disney DVDs. Also, is it okay to put a DVD in each slot of a DVD storage binder? Some people like to not fill it to capacity so it's not packed as tight, but if it is full, is that okay- will it damage the disks? Are the plastic (versus cloth)-fronted holders/pages just fine, or are cloth ones the only ones worth using?

Or are slim jewel cases the best way to go? That'll cost extra money (well, so will buying new DVD binders- I can't find the cheap Walmart ones I bought years ago).

[Cordy_Biddle]

With my collection it's LOTS of bookcases. I own close to 2,000 DVDs at the moment. There are new DVD storage options coming up all the time, but a good option (for those who'd like to reclaim a lot of their shelf-space) would be something like this:

http://shopping.hsw.com.au/product_info ... dih4q5ebq2

[blackcauldron85]

http://shopping.hsw.com.au/product_info ... dih4q5ebq2

Hmm, that link brought me to a login page. What kind of product is that?

[Cordy_Biddle]

Strange...the link worked for me at first and now doesn't. Here's another link to the same sort of product:

http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/pr ... MU50428CON

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks! So it's like a turntable kind of thing?

Does anyone know if it's bad to keep DVDs and CDs long-term in a CD binder/wallet? Will they eventually deteriorate? If not, I think that might be my best bet. And cheapest.

[Cordy_Biddle]

No, it's not a turntable device. They are individual thin plastic slipcases that also allow you to keep the slicks as well. They save lots of room.

[DisneyFreak5282]

Does anyone know if it's bad to keep DVDs and CDs long-term in a CD binder/wallet? Will they eventually deteriorate? If not, I think that might be my best bet. And cheapest.

This is just from my personal experience, but about 6 years ago when my CD collection wasn't that big, I started putting the CDs in a CD binder, and I realized that it wasn't a good idea, because the discs kept getting light scratches that eventually got worse from taking them in and out of the binders, which is why I don't like CD/DVD binders.

I also tried that method with DVDs once (around the same time I did with the CDs), but I realized I was having the same issue, especially on TV DVD sets (since multiple episodes are on one disc that means you'd be handling the disc more than you would a movie, which you can watch in one sitting). Then as my collection grew I realized I had nowhere to put the casing and the inserts/chapter selection papers.

I knew that if a Special Edition of a DVD came out I would want to sell the old edition, so I couldn't throw the inserts out, and if I wanted to sell a CD, the same issue occurred, meaning I had to save all these CD and DVD cases (I put them in a storage bin in my room). I realized that it was sort of a waste of storage space either way (having empty cases just sitting in a storage bin versus having the CDs and DVDs in their cases on the shelf). Plus I decided the discs were better off in their original cases, that way scratches could be avoided better and it ensured that I would never lose the cases, and I had more storage room in the storage bins in the end.

Either way, it takes up a lot of space. I found a CD/DVD tower at OfficeMax for $14.99 and it had 2 shelves. It stores quite a few CDs and DVDs. I bought another $14.99 tower at OfficeMax and you use superglue to attach it to the previous tower you bought, making it 4 shelves. So for $15 you can do that, or buy two of them for the $30, but I recommend starting off with just one and see where you stand. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find the tower on officemax.com, so I can't post a link.

Also, if you have any TV series in which all the seasons have been released, I recommend trading in the individual sets and buying the complete series box set (if one is available), that saves LOTS of space.

[littlefuzzy]

I wish I could go this route, but I don't think this house really has enough room for custom shelves. Bookcases already line every wall!

Anyhoo, if you had the money/time/space, you could build or have built some custom shelving, if you went 6 feet high (depending on how tall you are) and left 9 inches per shelf for DVDs, you could get 8 shelves at 76-77 inches tall, counting a half-inch for each shelf and the top of the case. If you left one off, the top of the unit would be right under 6 feet tall, and most people could probably reach the top shelf of DVDs.

You *could* go with 8 inches per shelf, or 8 1/2 inches, but that would only leave room for basic DVD cases, and if you had a box set that was close to 8 inches, or over, you would have to put it somewhere else. For instance, the WD Treasures are right around 8 1/4 inches, as are most of the other box sets I have, including the Stargate SG-1 Complete series.

Say, 3 feet wide (about the width of a 5-shelf bookcase), you can get ~60 DVDs in that amount of space (less for double cases, slipcovers, etc., obviously.)
60 x 8 shelves = 480 DVDs!
60 x 7 shelves = 420 DVDs.
60 x 6 shelves = 360 DVDs.

I'd also like to have one vertical group of 16" x 16" cubes, to hold really big items, like the Planet of the Apes limited bust box set. Maybe in the corner, or between two of the 3-foot wide shelves. Some 12 inch shelves would also be good, for other big box sets like the M*A*S*H box set or the Full House set.


EDIT:
You can get a Sauder DVD rack with 5 shelves at Big Lots for ~29-39 bucks (not sure which.) Although, you might check your local furniture store for that same unit, and depending on sales, you might be able to get it for even less.

I think this is it, it says 45 inches high, and 32 inches wide, it says "holds 280 DVDs".

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone!

So, Ryan, you mention faint scratches. But they're not deep enough to cause skipping or anything, right?

I've read online about holes getting onto the surface of the discs (more so CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, since the people on those sites said that the storage is on the top, not the underside, apparently...? And something about over-stuffing the CD wallets...how that causes torsion or something?

I really don't have space for extra bookcases! I mean, if you really can get one for $29, that's not bad.

I looked but unfortunately can't find (although I didnt' check the exact Walmart I bought them at) blue CD wallets I have- I think they each old 120 or something around that ballpark. They were $5 or less each (I don't remember now), and I can't find ones that hold that much for so cheap anymore.

My biggest concern is my Disney films- my non-Disney DVDs and CDs have been fine in the CD wallets, but I don't want to mess up my Disney movies (I did put my Treasures and cartoon DVDs in one, at least for now, to free up some space)...I talked with Albert about this issue before, and he uses CD wallets for his movies, but I guess I just want to make doubly sure that it'd be okay if I went that route. I can't do that right now since I need to find CD wallets in my budget to use. Clearing out my Treasures and other shorts DVDs helped, so I have room for 10-20 more DVDs, which helps...

[littlefuzzy]

You say you don't have any room for bookcases, have you thought about the closet? Assuming you have one of the rectangular closets with the folding doors, even if you don't put it at the back of the closet you might be able to put a 19-24" wide DVD rack in either end of the closet. That might get you room for 160 DVDs, and if you used both ends of the closet, you could double that.

[blackcauldron85]

We have 3 closets- one in the hall, which is full of towels and shampoo and things- it has racks, so a bookcase wouldn't be able to fit in there. We have 2 small closets for clothes- one is where Bobby keeps all his clothes, so that's a no-no, then we have another where I keep work shirts and sweatshirts and there are blankets and pillows in it. Since we don't have storage space for the clothes to put a small bookcase in there, I need to leave the clothes in there! But that's a really good idea, if we had closet space!

[DisneyFreak5282]

So, Ryan, you mention faint scratches. But they're not deep enough to cause skipping or anything, right?

It all depends how frequently the discs are taken in and out of the binder. Usually with CDs the scratches don't do anything, but since DVDs hold more information, the scratches can have a greater impact on the playability of the discs. It also depends on where the scratch is.

I've read online about holes getting onto the surface of the discs (more so CD-Rs and DVD-Rs, since the people on those sites said that the storage is on the top, not the underside, apparently...? And something about over-stuffing the CD wallets...how that causes torsion or something?

This has happened to me before, and this "overstuffing" is also a factor that causes the scratching, because you have two discs back-to-back against each other with nothing but a cloth similar to that of a lint-free one to separate the two

Also, they're not actual holes in the disc, it's this thing called disc rot, and it has actually happened to a few of my CDs from being in CD binders. What happens is over time, if a disc is exposed to certain types of material that can have chemical effects on them (i.e. certain types of paper sleeves, and even the types of sleeves used in CD binders), the layers start to get all messed up from the chemicals and begin to deteriorate and eventually the disc can become unreadable. There's also some extra information about it on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_rot

My biggest concern is my Disney films- my non-Disney DVDs and CDs have been fine in the CD wallets, but I don't want to mess up my Disney movies (I did put my Treasures and cartoon DVDs in one, at least for now, to free up some space)...I talked with Albert about this issue before, and he uses CD wallets for his movies, but I guess I just want to make doubly sure that it'd be okay if I went that route. I can't do that right now since I need to find CD wallets in my budget to use. Clearing out my Treasures and other shorts DVDs helped, so I have room for 10-20 more DVDs, which helps...

Yeah, if anything I would not put your Disney DVDs in those CD wallets (I don't recommend putting any disc in a CD wallet, but Disney DVDs should definitely not go in there).

I know I don't like using this method, but some people have no problem with it: if you have an iPod / mp3 player or whatever and you have CDs, transfer them onto your computer and trade in the actual CD to FYE or wherever, and you have yourself some free room just by getting rid of some of your CDs.

What I highly recommend the most, though, is using slim jewel cases for storing your CDs and DVDs:



Sure, you may not be able to know what CD or DVD it is if you place it on its side, but if you alphabetize them, it makes things easier to find. As for the CD artwork, you can place the CD booklet in the front, and for the DVD inserts and back covers to the CDs, you could buy an accordion binder and put them in there if you ever decide you want to sell a certain DVD or CD someday. As for the CD Jewel Cases and the DVD Keepcases, you can put them in a storage bin or a box and pack them away (once again, in case you decide to sell a certain DVD or CD). If I had more slimcases I would actually be doing that right now. It's much safer for the discs than putting them in a CD wallet (no disc rot caused by the slimline cases), and it really saves lots of space. Some of my friends do it and everything looks so neat and organized, plus it really reduces the amount of space.

[Cordy_Biddle]

I use those colour slim jewel cases when I loan DVDs out to people. I keep the boxes (that way I know what's missing). It's a great system!

[blackcauldron85]

That's some really good advice, Ryan- thank you! Except for selling all your CDs- if you keep the music, then that's illegal (I've done research!). For now, I'm guessing that my Treasures & cartoon shorts DVDs will be fine in the CD wallet, since they've only been there for a few days. If anyone knows where cheap, bulk slim jewel cases are sold, I'd appreciate knowing! I looked the other day, but didn't see anywhere that had them cheap (online, anyway).

Are there any cases (meaning situations, not physical cases!) where using a CD wallet is okay? Like if you keep them in a good temperature room? I don't mind minor scratches as long as they don't affect playback, but I don't want the discs becoming unplayable.

DVDs have a different structure from CDs, using a plastic disc over the reflecting layer. This means that a scratch on either surface of a DVD is not as likely to reach the reflective layer and expose it to environmental contamination and perhaps to cause corrosion, perhaps progressive corrosion.

So what does this mean? It's safer to keep DVDs in CD wallets than CDs?

I think, essentially, I'm looking for someone to say that, under the right conditions, it's safe to store DVDs in CD wallets. I think that would save the most space, but I only want to do it if it's safe for the discs. I could only use every other page to store the discs if that will help their condition stay good over time.

If anyone knows of where to get good, but cheap, DVD/CD wallets that hold 100+ each, I'd also appreciate knowing where to get them.