New Media - Keep Sealed or Open to Check?

[AJR214]

I'm just curios what others do with their new 4k/Blu/DVD media ordered. Upon receipt, do you open it to check the contents, extras, possibly claim the digital movie... or do you keep it sealed until you're ready to watch it?

I'm building a movie collection again. I'm over 1,000 Blu's in a month and a half. Everyone is dumping their media for digital, and the pawn shops and other pick locations are full of 25 cent to $4 blu's. Most are opened, some are resealed so no one steals the innards in the shop. But some are still factory sealed. I am in a conundrum because if I don't ever watch it, I'd like to keep it sealed and on the shelf until I do, or be able to sell it as factory sealed NEW.

I picked up a City Slickers today factory sealed from 2011. I'm sure I'll open it at some point, but for now it will stay sealed.

The other day, I bought the Bill & Ted 3-movie collection from Walmart.com (sold/shipped by Walmart as NEW). I opened the delivery and the case was sealed but it felt light, so I thought they were all shoved on one blu. I went looking for a better cover to print because you can't read the spine tiny print on the original label other than "3 FILM COLLECTION". While looking for the cover, I figured I'd dive into a review of the quality of the release. The video reviewer opened the package and 3 blu's - one for each movie - were in the case. I know what the weight of 3 blu's and a case insert to hold the extra discs feels like - mine did NOT feel anywhere close to that. I ripped the cellophane off and sure enough, it was empty! Not even the middle disc flip holder was in it! I jumped on Wally's site and initiated a replacement case (a new one was shipped out already). But if I hadn't opened the case, I would be out a $12 bucks, and probably looked like a crook had I gone to sell the movie.

So answer the poll if you will and give your insight on what you do.

[drush9999]

Always open and check the discs when they arrive, even if I might not watch it properly for a few years.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Always open and check the discs when they arrive, even if I might not watch it properly for a few years.

Yeah especially if you get a crushed order with a case falling apart and a disc completely in half. This just happened to me last week with Amazon when I finally bought my 2 movie and 2 disc F/X and F/X 2 Kino Lorber Blu-Ray DVD. I was so furious as this had never happened to me before so I have to return the old damaged item before June 11th. I re-ordered the same Blu-Ray DVD and its arriving tomorrow with my Once Upon a Time in the West 4K UHD plus Blu-Ray DVD pre-order.

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by drush9999

Always open and check the discs when they arrive, even if I might not watch it properly for a few years.

This.

I got one of the earlier seasons of Psych on DVD the day it came out years ago and I got home and it was missing a disc. Ever since then, I open things in the parking lot (not so much now that Best Buy isn't an option and WM and Target are garbage) or as soon as I get it from the delivery person or mailbox.

[Sillydillo]

I open it all. Absolutely zero reason not to. I don't give a damn about "the value" or whatever, I collect stuff because I enjoy it and want to watch it.

[bigshot]

I open it, put the disk in a sleeve and the paper insert in a box and chuck the case in the trash.

[filmlover22]

Originally Posted by bigshot

I open it, put the disk in a sleeve and the paper insert in a box and chuck the case in the trash.

I used to do that - a LOT.
And then when I decided to get rid of the movie (for whatever reason), I found it impossible to sell - even donate - without a case. The cost of buying cases for all these discs I no longer want really adds up. I have stopped doing this. Just my experience.

[benricci]

Have some perspective.

You bought a secondhand copy of City Slickers on home video, not a prized antique. Just open the damn things and stop overthinking it.

[drb999]

With scratched disks, missing disks and duplicate disks happening I open right away just in case I get one of those. If you open it after the return window is over you are kind of screwed.

[Jaymole]

I only open them when I run out of coasters.

[Axl Rose]

I open them but never check or watch them. I simply do not want sealed blu-rays on my shelf because it exposes me as a poser.

[RevolverOcelScott]

Always open and check. 4K discs are far too finicky in even the best players.

[zeze]

I didn't use to but now with how often discs come scratched I open and inspect them as soon as I buy them.

[deatheats]

Although I will generally open as I get them there are a few exceptions I’ll make. The Bruce Lee yellow Arrow release, for example, I’ll probably keep sealed…and just pick up the 4k discs separately to watch.

For those throwing away their cases and want to resell, have you thought about keeping a small box like 5 of each of variety (blue, black, clear)?

[8traxrule]

I’ve got DVDs that are about 25 years old now that I still haven’t gotten around to watching, but I opened them right away so at least I know the right things are inside and undamaged. I’ve sometimes gotten brand new discs that were scratched, one time I got a sealed empty case.

[Watershipdownisgood]

Originally Posted by zeze

I didn't use to but now with how often discs come scratched I open and inspect them as soon as I buy them.

Or like me you end up getting a completely damaged case that’s falling apart, and a disc that got cut in half and I rarely get any scratched discs. However, to get a crushed case with a disc cut in half that just sucks. This just recently happened to me last week. So has anyone else had a crushed case or a broken disc experience?

[super56k]

I always open and check new releases I buy, and I'll often watch within a few weeks too.

Also don't think I can buy sealed releases from private sellers any longer. With the increased frequency of scratched discs and missing discs in recent years, it's not a selling point to me. Don't want to waste my time or theirs just to have the privilege of removing the cellophane.

[koberulz]

Every time I get a disc, I open it and back it up, immediately. Much quicker and more reliable way of spotting any issues than visual inspection or even playback on a Blu-ray player, and if something happens down the road I still have a backup copy.

[playgames1970]

I see many people on here mentioning getting scratched or otherwise messed up discs, and it does worry me at times that some of the unchecked items could be in that state, but I currently don't like to open cases until I am ready to watch them; there is something about the ritual of cracking it open when ready to view that I don't want to discard...just a psychological thing for me, for some reason.

I used to be more apt to open right away back in the days when most discs came with cool inserts and booklets and whatnot, and discs themselves were commonly decorated with designs, but now that is a rarity. That would drive me to look inside more than the concern to check for damage, oddly.

The collection is nearing 3000 items, and to date I've still not had any disc have any scratches bad enough to make it not play properly upon opening, even if it came loose from a spindle and was bouncing around inside...perhaps I've just been fortunate.

If I do for some reason open a case earlier than the time to watch it, actually find myself less likely to select it later for watching over one that is still wrapped tight...psychology is strange.

[AJR214]

Originally Posted by benricci

Have some perspective.

You bought a secondhand copy of City Slickers on home video, not a prized antique. Just open the damn things and stop overthinking it.

My perspective is clear... it will be worth a fortune There's just something about breaking a seal on something that's been entombed for 13 years. I will watch it at some point which is when I'll open it.

Originally Posted by bigshot

I open it, put the disk in a sleeve and the paper insert in a box and chuck the case in the trash.

Not sure how many you buy and chuck the cases, but I've been looking for cases. Can you fill a box and send media mail and I'll shoot you a few bucks?

I bought 100 blue 2-disc cases for $57. I thought "this should last me a while". It probably would, but I buy a lot of pre-viewed and used blu's and some of the cases can be horrendous. Aside from being cracked or don't clip shut, I can't stand grabbing a case and having the cover plastic be dented or slightly ripped that catches your fingers like a hangnail or a splinter. I've gone through 75 of those 100 cases cleaning up my collection. Also, if it's just a Blu-ray 1-disc and I have the DVD, I will make it a 2-disc case and put both Blu & DVD for a backup in case the blu starts to skip. So I'd buy 50 clean cases here and there to keep things tidy. I also look for the 3-disc and 4-disc holders (not stack 2+2).

Last new 24 cases on the left, many of the bad cases on the right:
Cases.jpg

My growing display of currently 1,035 blu's...
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