Storing blu-rays

[cynatnite]

I did a bit of a search for this, but the keywords I chose brought up numerous responses which is why I'm starting a new thread.

We are selling our house and are on the hunt for a new one. I'm in the process of getting it ready for pictures and showing. In order to de-clutter, I decided to pack up my blu-rays and DVD's and remove the shelves.

I already have a storage unit (not temperature controlled) and my question is, will the disks be damaged if I store them. It could be upwards of two months, but I doubt it'll be much longer than that.

Any advice would be extremely helpful.

[ScarredLungs]

Thread Title --- Warning about storing Blu-rays in anything other than cases

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=128389


I choose to store my movies in a shelf in this order

James Bond movies > Numerical > Alphabetical

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by cvm

Thread Title --- Warning about storing Blu-rays in anything other than cases

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=128389


I choose to store my movies in a shelf in this order

James Bond movies > Numerical > Alphabetical

They will all definitely stay in their cases. I just want to make sure they won't be damaged if they're not in a temperature controlled environment.

[Optimus-Prime-Rox]

No true way of knowing unless you were to test them all out once you unpack them again. If you store them in an extremely cold enviroment then that could be a big problem for them like condensation damage & oxidation.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

They will all definitely stay in their cases. I just want to make sure they won't be damaged if they're not in a temperature controlled environment.

I would do the best you could to keep them between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit with the lowest possible humidity.

[thecalm_7]

I personally would not store them in a unit. When I moved out of my last place in a hurry, no notice, no planning, 1 day sorta thing. I carried my electronics with me but left a few CDs in storage for 25 days. My digi pack CD cases were ruined, mold. I'm in FL, it was late summer. These were in a garbage bag.
Humidity is not our friend. Nor is extreme cold or varying temperatures.
If it were me, I'd strongly consider asking a friend, family, trusted coworker if you could store them in their house. Not a garage, no attic, no unfinished basement.
As for storing in binders, no go either.
I'm overly cautious, I've spent 1/2 mylife collecting and 1/2 rebuilding what was lost, damaged, or stolen. I'm protective.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by thecalm_7

I personally would not store them in a unit. When I moved out of my last place in a hurry, no notice, no planning, 1 day sorta thing. I carried my electronics with me but left a few CDs in storage for 25 days. My digi pack CD cases were ruined, mold. I'm in FL, it was late summer. These were in a garbage bag.
Humidity is not our friend. Nor is extreme cold or varying temperatures.
If it were me, I'd strongly consider asking a friend, family, trusted coworker if you could store them in their house. Not a garage, no attic, no unfinished basement.
As for storing in binders, no go either.
I'm overly cautious, I've spent 1/2 mylife collecting and 1/2 rebuilding what was lost, damaged, or stolen. I'm protective.

I will find another place to put them. No storage unit for my babies. They'll be snug and comfortable in a temperature controlled environment.

Thanks!

[Mr. Pale]

Originally Posted by thecalm_7

If it were me, I'd strongly consider asking a friend, family, trusted coworker if you could store them in their house. Not a garage, no attic, no unfinished basement.

I've kept my DVD's (as I've focused on my blu-ray collection) in a half-assed basement that isn't controlled at all for at least 5 years straight -- in a humid, southern state. Every time I go downstairs to bring a few DVD's up to watch, they play just fine, look fine, etc. I'm not encouraging basement storage, but I am suggesting that extreme temperatures/humidity should be the only major issue with DVD/blu-ray storage. Technically, it also depends on how the boxes/etc. are positioned in storage, too. Many things can factor into these issues.

[thecalm_7]

No prob, again I may be over cautious but replacing sucks.
LP, cd, DVDs, br, expensive books, photos are delicate to humidity. I didn't realize pictures until recently.

Don't know how true, but I was also told cardboard oxidizes badly causing damage. *shrug*

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

I did a bit of a search for this, but the keywords I chose brought up numerous responses which is why I'm starting a new thread.

We are selling our house and are on the hunt for a new one. I'm in the process of getting it ready for pictures and showing. In order to de-clutter, I decided to pack up my blu-rays and DVD's and remove the shelves.

I already have a storage unit (not temperature controlled) and my question is, will the disks be damaged if I store them. It could be upwards of two months, but I doubt it'll be much longer than that.

Any advice would be extremely helpful.

As long as there is not very high temps or very high humidity you should be fine. High temps+high humidity can lead to protective layer of disc seperating.

Also if temperatures go below freezing there is a chance again it may cause an issue with the bond but it is unlikely.

[Leeon0]

Originally Posted by thecalm_7

Don't know how true, but I was also told cardboard oxidizes badly causing damage. *shrug*

I believe it's true, which is why I tend to avoid keeping my discs in Digipaks. Cardboard and paper products readily absorb moisture, whereas plastic is much more impervious to moisture absorption. I also remove booklets and inserts from Blu-ray cases and store them separately. If you must store the discs in a humid environment such as South Florida, you might want to get plastic sleeves, which provide an added layer of protection.

Here's what the Library of Congress recommends for the storage of audio visual materials:

"For home collections, a cool (room temperature or below), relatively dry (about 35-40% relative humidity or RH), clean, and stable environment (avoid attics, basements, and other locations with high risk of leaks and environmental extremes)
Minimal exposure to all kinds of light; no exposure to direct or intense light
Minimal exposure to strong magnetic fields*
Distance from radiators and vents
Distance from sources of vibration"

[D2Girls]

store them in your house ???
if you have heating for the winters, and have an AC unit for the humid summers, your movies will stay fine for decades.

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by cynatnite

They will all definitely stay in their cases. I just want to make sure they won't be damaged if they're not in a temperature controlled environment.

If it's extreme heat, then it might be a concern, but cold, I wouldn't worry.

[digihed]

When I sold my house I boxed up the majority of my collection in banker file boxes and empty printer paper boxes I got from work. I stored them in an indoor climate controlled storage unit. I wouldn't keep them in an outdoor storage unit. If it's just temporary it is worth paying extra for the climate controlled unit.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by BillieCassin

If it's extreme heat, then it might be a concern, but cold, I wouldn't worry.

I'm in TN and the nights are getting pretty cold. It's likely to get below freezing before I would be able to get them back out before we get settled in the new house. I'm not worried about humidity at this time of year. It's the cold that had me concerned. I have plastic bins to put them in. I just wasn't sure about storing them in a storage unit that doesn't have temperature control with as cold as it's getting at night. I may just put them in our basement anyway. I think that'll be the best route and the temperatures stay fairly stable there anyway.

Thanks.

[deepseababy]

This isn't much to do with how they are stored, but I once purchased a Blu ray off eBay and when I received it, I peeled the label off which actually took off some of the "Blu ray" logo at the top of the case. Seemed a bit odd to me, which led me to wonder if it wasn't a genuine Blu ray but some knock off.

The seller was import-CDs I believe.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by deepseababy

This isn't much to do with how they are stored, but I once purchased a Blu ray off eBay and when I received it, I peeled the label off which actually took off some of the "Blu ray" logo at the top of the case. Seemed a bit odd to me, which led me to wonder if it wasn't a genuine Blu ray but some knock off.

The seller was import-CDs I believe.

I hear you. I went on ebay several years ago and bought what I thought was an authentic DVD box set Star Trek Voyager, the complete series. It was such a great price.

The reason why is that it was a bootleg set. When I found this out, I tried to cancel. They forced the charge through somehow on my credit card and I got the DVD's in the mail. I probably could have fought it harder, but just let it go. The disks play pretty well. Not much in the way of extras. One episode is out of order. You get what you pay for, but I was bummed I got bootlegs.

I'm torn between getting the authentic DVD set or waiting to see if the series will get a blu-ray treatment down the road.

[deepseababy]

Yeah, I had no issues with the disc or the presentation other than the Blu ray logo peeling off the case. I thought that was strange. Other than that, I'm really not sure if it's a really convincing bootleg or a normal Blu ray with some pretty shitty case manufacturing.

[Todd Tomorrow]

These threads often turn into a competition of who can be the most alarmist about storage, with people wildly exaggerating the supposed fragility of BDs. I kept my discs in paper sleeves for over a decade and never had any problems. I'm also sure that unless a place is excessively hot or damp, anywhere should be fine, including storage.

[mattyl149]

I am seriously considering putting all my Blu-ray cases in those plastic steelbook wallets

I just discovered an issue with my bottom shelves where water had got through slightly. Nothing was damaged fortunately, but I did have to wipe stuff down. Due to the location of the room downstairs, I've had to get a radiator put in and have a dehumidifier running all the time

It's not the most ideal room, but it's the only one I can really use. I don't want the hassle of bagging things up, but I more want to do it for peace of mind as some titles are irreplaceable

I've spent a lot on my collection over quite a number of years and I don't want to spend money replacing items