How to store Laserdiscs?
brmanuk
obviously a perfect fit. Despite this however, I've noticed recently
that circles are beginning to appear on the jackets indicating that
some pressure is forcing an indent. My concern, other than the fact I
don't want huge ugly circles ruining the jackets, is that the discs
may be getting pushed and might eventually warp*.
A few questions -
1) Anyone know a solution to this or a better way of storing?
2) Anyone store their in record boxes and have the same problem/
avoided the problem?
3) What would be the best way to keep the discs in the crates - all
the gatefolds together or randomly mixed with the single discs.
4) Should I keep the gatefold discs at the front or the back of the
crates?
5) One disc I inspected certainly appeared to be bent ever-so-slightly
in one direction (although I laid it on a flat surface and couldn't
fit a nickel under it). How warped does a disc have to be before
interference starts?
6) Is it true that warped discs can damage players? (or is this only
in severe cases?)
Many thanks!
Oliver Brose
> I've been keeping my LD's stood upright in LP flight cases, which are
> obviously a perfect fit. Despite this however, I've noticed recently
> that circles are beginning to appear on the jackets indicating that
> some pressure is forcing an indent. My concern, other than the fact I
> don't want huge ugly circles ruining the jackets, is that the discs
> may be getting pushed and might eventually warp*.
>
> A few questions -
>
> 1) Anyone know a solution to this or a better way of storing?
> 2) Anyone store their in record boxes and have the same problem/
> avoided the problem?
> 3) What would be the best way to keep the discs in the crates - all
> the gatefolds together or randomly mixed with the single discs.
> 4) Should I keep the gatefold discs at the front or the back of the
> crates?
You didn't state whether you keep your LDs in protective poly-sleves and
how many LDs you actually put in your cases. Anyway, don't cram them and
you should be fine. No leaning, as little pressure as possible.
> 5) One disc I inspected certainly appeared to be bent ever-so-slightly
> in one direction (although I laid it on a flat surface and couldn't
> fit a nickel under it). How warped does a disc have to be before
> interference starts?
> 6) Is it true that warped discs can damage players? (or is this only
> in severe cases?)
Minor warping should not be an issue. Once significant, you will notice
it during playback and you should not play a disc known to be warped. If
you consider the speeds LDs spin at, a warped disc can mean a lot of
stress on both the disc and the player.
Check the archives for ways to flatten warped discs. Depending on your
location this time of year is not ideal for that endeavour � it's better
done in summer. All you need is a sunny weekend, two sheets of glass and
something heavy to put on top.
Oliver
Kev Haw
keep the discs upright and to keep them from warping. Too tight isn't
good as you'll get the circle impressions that you describe.
I also used the plate glass system to flatten discs. Works perfectly
for slightly warped discs. I've flattened many over the years with this
method. I use about 10 pounds evenly distributed on the top plate and
let it sit for a week or more, depending on the severity of the warp.
Discs that are warped due to heat and develop a "potato chip" warp, are
extremely hard to flatten.
Kevin
brmanuk
> done in summer. All you need is a sunny weekend, two sheets of glass and
> something heavy to put on top.
>
> Oliver
What kind of things would I notice when playing a slightly warped
disc?
I'm not sure how many discs are in each case but I've filled them
both. A few have poly covers but not all; is there an advantage to
using them? There isn't much pressure on each one, but there is enough
to ensure they stay upright and won't tip backwards or forwards. Is it
perhaps better to stack them on a shelf?
Oliver Brose
> What kind of things would I notice when playing a slightly warped
> disc?
Depending on the level of warping, playback quality will be affected.
The picture will start to look slighly to very wrong. At some point the
laser might lose tracking. It will also run louder in the player than a
plane disc.
> I'm not sure how many discs are in each case but I've filled them
> both. A few have poly covers but not all; is there an advantage to
> using them?
They are protective ;) Less scratches on covers, less bumps on spines
and corners. You want vinyl-free ones IIRC. I guess bagsunlimited should
have them, but I never shopped there (old Europe speaking here).
> There isn't much pressure on each one, but there is enough
> to ensure they stay upright and won't tip backwards or forwards. Is it
> perhaps better to stack them on a shelf?
Hm. Are the discs in contact with the sides of the container?
Oliver
brmanuk
> brmanuk schrieb:
> > There isn't much pressure on each one, but there is enough
> > to ensure they stay upright and won't tip backwards or forwards. Is it
> > perhaps better to stack them on a shelf?
>
> Hm. Are the discs in contact with the sides of the container?
>
> Oliver
Yeah, the discs are in contact with the sides of the container, which
helps keep them upright. Should this be avoided? I've put enough discs
in the boxes to ensure they won't tip backwards for forwards. The
boxes aren't over crammed though; there isn't too much pressure when
taking a disc out of the crate. Today I've checked a few discs and
they (the discs and covers) feel like their bent backwards slightly. I
don't understand how this can be happening when they are clearly
upright. Here are some photos to show how they are stored.
Photo 01 - LD's stacked upright in crate (Does this look fine or are
there too many in the crate? Can you spot any reasons why they might
be bending?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/brmanuk/P1010634.jpg
Photo 02 - Same set up but a top down view.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/brmanuk/P1010636.jpg
Photo 03 - Fewer LD's in crate and as a result, a slight lean (In this
photo I've taken 1 or 2 LD's out. Would it perhaps be better to take
some out?)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/brmanuk/P1010637.jpg
Any comments? How do you store your LD's Oliver?
Oliver Brose
> Yeah, the discs are in contact with the sides of the container, which
> helps keep them upright. Should this be avoided?
Hm. I mean, they are the same size as vinyl, it should be no problem.
But when you say "in contact with the sides" � how tight is that,
actually? Do they move easily?
I guess you don't tend to park that container in front of the heating
either.
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/brmanuk/P1010634.jpg
CRASH Criterion, nice :)
> Any comments? How do you store your LD's Oliver?
Upright in a IKEA LACK rack, all in covers, spine facing the front of
course. No heater in close proximity, no direct sunlight.
Oliver
brmanuk
> brmanuk schrieb:
>
> > Yeah, the discs are in contact with the sides of the container, which
> > helps keep them upright. Should this be avoided?
>
> Hm. I mean, they are the same size as vinyl, it should be no problem.
> actually? Do they move easily?
Yeah they are the same size as vinyl. They are in contact with the
sides but it isn't too tight, just enough to keep them upright. It is
possible to pull the discs out from the crate with ease and I *could*
probably fit 1 more in but I chose not to incase it was too tight.
> I guess you don't tend to park that container in front of the heating
> either.
Nope, they aren't in front of any heat :)
> >http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/brmanuk/P1010634.jpg
>
> CRASH Criterion, nice :)
Thanks! Sadly it is quite rotted. Do the discs in that picture look as
though they are stored correctly- are they sufficiently upright, are
too many packed in?
Did you get a chance to look at Photo 03?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v450/brmanuk/P1010637.jpg
As you'll see, I've taken a few disc out in this picture and thus they
tilt slightly. Would that level of tilting be anything to worry about
in terms of warpage and disc indents in covers?
Thanks again.
Kev Haw
is shorter than the laserdiscs.
What I mean by that is the laserdiscs are several inches higher than
the edge of the container.
I would store the laserdiscs in a container that is at least as high
as the discs themselves.
That way, you get completely equal side pressure on the discs.
My laserdiscs are on bookshelves and the entire side of the disc rests
against the sides of the stand. No overlap, no warpage?
Steve Fenwick
Kev...@webtv.net (Kev Haw) wrote:
We put in built-in bookshelves sized to take laserdiscs and LPs (12.5"
between shelf top and bottom). Also works for books. We have about 75
linear feet of such shelves in one room. Works like a charm.
Steve
--
steve <at> w0x0f <dot> com
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of
arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to
skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, chip shot in the other, body thoroughly
used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
brmanuk
Hmm I had wondered whether this is the case. It's all very
disappointing as I really don't have anywhere else to store them. In
the past my discs were stored in that container but they werent full
so they were tilted slightly. I'm hoping that having filled them up,
they'll stand up right and be flattened again. I mean, they are not
significantly warped, but they do feel slightly. Failing that, I guess
I'll have to find a shelf to stack them up right!
Kev Haw
laserdisc jacket -and put them at either of the case?
The plywood would displace a couple of titles but you'd get much more
stable side pressure.
That's what I used to do when I once stacked laserdiscs on a metal
utility stand! (back when I had a very large collection.)
The stand had no "sides" to speak of, just metal shelves.
I put the plywood sides at either end the shelf and the stand braces
held the plywood in place.
Then I stacked the discs upright. The plywood "bookends" kept the
discs from tilting or warping!
I believe I actually had about 300 laserdiscs on the utility stand.
Just an idea :)