The Blu-ray Replacement Case Thread

[remake]

Ordered 25 Viva Elites from Discmakers can't wait for them to come in

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by aimforsilence

i wish Vortex cases would go away. Viva Elites are so much nicer!

I understand having a subjective personal preference for one or the other, but I'm sorry, I can't let a rediculous statement like that go. Let's compare the two shall we?

Vortex uses better quality plastic and has a less fragile design. There are weaknesses in several places of Viva cases, particularly the corners, that can break unreasonably easily. And the plastic itself, being more brittle just makes them all the more prone to breaking. In all my years of collecting dvds (my collection used to be quite extensive), I hardly ever received one with a broken case. I've received over 1000 BDs by mail so far and over 100 of those I've had to replace the case due to damage. All but a couple of those were Viva Elite cases that were broken. I've even broken them myself, dropping the cases only a few feet onto padded carpet.

Vortex has a disc hub that not only works more smoothly, is similarly less fragile (another weak spot in Viva case design) but actually, somewhat surprisingly, holds the disc better.

Now lets look at the case cosmetics, forgetting that all early Viva's, and some still in use by smaller production companies like Mill Creek, use(d) an incredibly cheap screen print of the BD logo that peels right off with the security sticker. Viva's has since replaced that with a much nicer chrome logo on most of their production lines at least, however it's still just a surface emblem, where Vortex actually embosses the logo and has always been a chrome finish that doesn't pull off. Vortex cases even considerately recess the top banner to help deter scratching/normal shelfwear. I think the slightly more pliable material helps with that some too.

You can just look at the two cases and see which one cost more money to make, and yet the Vortex cases can typically be purchased for less than Viva's. Even though the studios that use Viva's exclusively are known for cutting corners and clearly don't put as much into their packaging (ie, Sony uses Vortex exclusively and prints both sides of their cover art, Disney used to do the same and also is a Vortex studio; Fox and WB have always used Viva and have never printed both sides of their art, created nice inserts to accompany the discs, etc), so you can reasonably expect that they're using Vivas because they cost them less than Vortex.

Now I know that some seem to have the hardest time figuring out that these can be easily snapped inside the case, if you don't want the slight inconvenience of opening them every time you get your disc out, but Vortex actually features a hinged door flap on one side that has two benefits: 1) it helps parents keep their kids out of their movie collection. 2) There's no need for those annoying security stickers that we all love to take off and have to get out the goo gone to remove the leftover adhesive. If you don't have young kids living with you or that might visit, you can simply cut it off or fold it inside. But Vortex at least provides the consideration, which also likely increases their production cost.

Lets compare eco cases. Until recently and still for the vast majority of eco's being used, Viva's are completely unprotective of the disc as they actually have large holes in the case right were the disc needs protecting the most. With ecos's it's only thinner plastic, not no plastic at all. That said, in the case of eco cases only, Viva's hold their shape a bit better than Vortex, since the plastic itself is more rigid. Though, I'll take less fragile, more functional, with more features anyday.

3D cases. Viva's answer to the 3D crowd is a subjectively ugly case that has Blu-ray 3D spelled out in white (albeit robust) screen printing on the top. Vortex 3D cases are clear with a blue foil BD logo that can be used for standard BDs as well. These clear cases can even be purchased online in mass, just like standard BD cases.

Viva Elite Pros: subjectively nicer shape (I prefer the look of Viva's more rounded corners myself; they look more modern, even though they do break much easier); thinner 3-disc and up sized cases, so that TV seasons and multi-film sets take up less room on the shelf. Viva does more color cases than Vortex: a few have come in green and even less in black in the US, but I believe specialty cases are more common in other countries and some recent Echo Bridge cases appear to be some shade of gray, based on some pictures on amazon. Unfortunately, colored cases are supposedly only made available to the studios for special orders and are rarely used.

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by Blades1370

I love Casetopia, they have better prices then anything else listed on the main page.

I paid about 35 cent per case from Discmakers a while back. The same order would have cost me about 50 cent per case from Casetopia. Both are listed on the main page.

[JayFank]

Originally Posted by MoulinBlu

I paid about 35 cent per case from Discmakers a while back. The same order would have cost me about 50 cent per case from Casetopia. Both are listed on the main page.

I have made purchases through Casetopia and Discmakers. Cases from each company are of the same quality, but Casetopia allows you to purchase less, while you have to purchase at least 25 cases at Discmakers, but is much cheaper overall.

You cannot go wrong purchasing cases from either company

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by JayFank

I have made purchases through Casetopia and Discmakers. Cases from each company are of the same quality, but Casetopia allows you to purchase less, while you have to purchase at least 25 cases at Discmakers, but is much cheaper overall.

You cannot go wrong purchasing cases from either company

I've bought from both as well, but only in quantities of 100 or more - standard blue from Discmakers, clear from Casetopia. Casetopia's prices aren't as great in bulk, but I didn't even remember Discmakers didn't sell in smaller quantities. Thanks for the elaboration.

[bb.77]

does discmakers accept paypal?

[lolwut]

I like Vortex cases, the Blu-ray logo is much nicer. I used to hate them until I found out that the locking mechanism is optional, that you can snap it inside. I can definitely see how Viva Elites are more fragile, I've broken a few of them. The only downside to Vortex is that I can't replace the cases with my black, green, or orange Viva Elites - the artwork isn't the same size. Because of that, I also can't replace all of my Viva Elites with Vortex cases either.

[Tech-UK]

Rambo 4 and Transformers: DOTM with black cases:

[MoulinBlu]

The black goes well with Rambo.

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by lolwut

I like Vortex cases, the Blu-ray logo is much nicer. I used to hate them until I found out that the locking mechanism is optional, that you can snap it inside. I can definitely see how Viva Elites are more fragile, I've broken a few of them. The only downside to Vortex is that I can't replace the cases with my black, green, or orange Viva Elites - the artwork isn't the same size. Because of that, I also can't replace all of my Viva Elites with Vortex cases either.

The early Viva's use much smaller coverart. They're about 1/4 inch loose in a Vortex case. The newer one's interchange much better.

[badboystwo]

Black cases look awesome, I might think about getting some of those sometime for a few titles. Can you buy black Vortex cases too or is it just Viva's?

[remake]

Does Discmakers usually e-mail you with a shipping confirmation? I ordered two days ago and all I got was a "we received your order" e-mail.

[emac213]

[

[Show spoiler]QUOTE=lolwut;6233987][/QUOTE]

That green case looks great on Trolls 2,can you buy those green cases?

[lolwut]

Originally Posted by emac213

That green case looks great on Trolls 2,can you buy those green cases?

Thanks! Not on their own as far as I know, I had to buy movies that were released with green cases.

Originally Posted by MoulinBlu

The early Viva's use much smaller coverart. They're about 1/4 inch loose in a Vortex case. The newer one's interchange much better.

My problem is trying to fit the bigger Viva artwork in the smaller Vortex case.

Originally Posted by badboystwo

Black cases look awesome, I might think about getting some of those sometime for a few titles. Can you buy black Vortex cases too or is it just Viva's?

I've seen black Vortex cases, usually with movies that were released with black cases, like The Phantom of the Opera in Japan. The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition came with black Viva Elites though.

[MoulinBlu]

That green case looks great on Trolls 2,can you buy those green cases?

I emailed casetopia about the green cases a while back and they said that they couldn't even get them, that the green cases were only made available to the studios. My guess is that it's a special order item that they only do in large enough batches that no case vendor can justify an order of. Even repressings of The Hulk, and other Universal titles that originally came in green cases, are now in standard blue. Apparently Universal didn't want to spring for green again either. With slipcovers, there's no real need to use case color to help them stand out on the shelf.

My problem is trying to fit the bigger Viva artwork in the smaller Vortex case.

I've only had that problem when trying to fit coverart that came with a 4+ disc Viva into a single or double disc Vortex after getting rid of the unwanted low-res weight. Early Viva's bonded the outer plastic farther in on the face and back of the case though, requiring smaller cover art. Since then, Viva has started bonding the plastic closer to the edge for whatever reason. Their cases can now accomodate larger artwork. Which I swap cases and artwork quite frequently and in my experience Viva is now virtually interchangeable with Vortex with regard to Viva's 1-3 disc cases and Vortex's 1-2 disc cases. At 4-discs Viva's increase in thickness and Vortex's increase at 3 discs. If you're trying to fit 3-disc Vortex art into a 3-disc Viva, you'd definitely need to do some trimming though.

I've only imported a couple dozen titles - mostly from the UK - and never seen a black Vortex. In the US I believe they only come in blue and clear.

[JayFank]

I have several of the Vortex lock-in cases if anyone would want them for a decent price.

[vidjunkie]

2 questions,

1. where can you buy the colored BD cases?

2. where can I buy a replacement case for my Star Trek The Original Series Seasons 1 & 2, the Season 3 case is thinner and OK, but I need to replace cases for Seasons 1 & 2.

Thanks

[lolwut]

Originally Posted by MoulinBlu

I've only had that problem when trying to fit coverart that came with a 4+ disc Viva into a single or double disc Vortex after getting rid of the unwanted low-res weight. Early Viva's bonded the outer plastic farther in on the face and back of the case though, requiring smaller cover art. Since then, Viva has started bonding the plastic closer to the edge for whatever reason. Their cases can now accomodate larger artwork. Which I swap cases and artwork quite frequently and in my experience Viva is now virtually interchangeable with Vortex with regard to Viva's 1-3 disc cases and Vortex's 1-2 disc cases. At 4-discs Viva's increase in thickness and Vortex's increase at 3 discs. If you're trying to fit 3-disc Vortex art into a 3-disc Viva, you'd definitely need to do some trimming though.

I've only imported a couple dozen titles - mostly from the UK - and never seen a black Vortex. In the US I believe they only come in blue and clear.

Interesting, I'll have to try it out some more with different cases.

I've tried taking artwork from a Vortex case and putting it in the black Vivas and they're usually too small.

The black Vortex ones I've seen on Japanese releases at least. I've definitely seen them in stock pics, not in person though.

[vidjunkie]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

The only cases for 7+ I've seen have been in Australia, and apparently the shipping is murder to other countries.

Thanks Imrahil, do you have any links by any chance? I would like to replace these 2 cases, I hate when they do not close right and the clear plastic is all rippled lol.

Thanks again

[MoulinBlu]

Originally Posted by vidjunkie

2 questions,

1. where can you buy the colored BD cases?

2. where can I buy a replacement case for my Star Trek The Original Series Seasons 1 & 2, the Season 3 case is thinner and OK, but I need to replace cases for Seasons 1 & 2.

Thanks

I'd contact Paramount. Some studios offer replacment cases w/ artwork and/or discs, for a price. It's usually rather steep, but if the only alternative is importing, it might be just as reasonable. I don't know if Paramount offers such or not. I know Disney, Fox, and Warner have been known to. I think Disney even has a site set up for it. Check the packaging to see if there is any customer support contact number. If not, it shouldn't be too hard to track down the appropriate home video division contact info online. The digitalbits used to compile contact info for every studio.