Seriously. Shelf space.

[mrpants]

What are your tips for cutting down on how much shelf space amarays take up? I have 400+ films now.

One idea is to get hold of trays somehow, and put trilogies of films into one case with an added tray. For example, The Matrix trilogy, does that really need to be in three separate amaray cases? Pop all the discs into one single amaray case with an added tray and just use either a custom cover (probably not an option, people want to charge for these and the best I could do without taking a course would be rubbish), or use the first film in the series as the cover (I'll know the two other Matrix films are in there). It's not like I buy amarays for the artwork (I buy steelbooks/digibooks for that), and the other two cases I'll put into a box and put into the loft or under the stairs out of the way. The only minor problem would be technical details on the back cover, but they should be available online, could even scan the cover before putting it into storage.

Other option is to stop buying so many. Do I really need to own Bridesmaids? Funny film once, but can't see me watching it again for a long time, if ever, so why own it when I could maybe rent? I don't like this option. I am a fan of film, and while right now I can look at my collection and think "wtf have I got that?", the whole point of my collection to to own good movies I can pop in my blu ray player any time I want. Who cares if I don't fancy Bridesmaids again right now, I don't know how I'll feel a few months down the line. I like having a collection, I budget well for them so money isn't an issue. The issue really is shelf space.

I had the Resident Evil films in four separate cases, but sold them and bought the one case edition released recently. I would do this with all the series of films, but it's not in my hands what gets released, obviously.

I think my problem is that I want all my films in one room. Discs are the easiest solution to watching the best quality at the moment, but it defeats the object if they are spread all over the house in different cabinets or on different shelves.

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by mrpants

What are your tips for cutting down on how much shelf space amarays take up? I have 400+ films now.

One idea is to get hold of trays somehow, and put trilogies of films into one case with an added tray. For example, The Matrix trilogy, does that really need to be in three separate amaray cases? Pop all the discs into one single amaray case with an added tray and just use either a custom cover (probably not an option, people want to charge for these and the best I could do without taking a course would be rubbish), or use the first film in the series as the cover (I'll know the two other Matrix films are in there). It's not like I buy amarays for the artwork (I buy steelbooks/digibooks for that), and the other two cases I'll put into a box and put into the loft or under the stairs out of the way. The only minor problem would be technical details on the back cover, but they should be available online, could even scan the cover before putting it into storage.

Other option is to stop buying so many. Do I really need to own Bridesmaids? Funny film once, but can't see me watching it again for a long time, if ever, so why own it when I could maybe rent? I don't like this option. I am a fan of film, and while right now I can look at my collection and think "wtf have I got that?", the whole point of my collection to to own good movies I can pop in my blu ray player any time I want. Who cares if I don't fancy Bridesmaids again right now, I don't know how I'll feel a few months down the line. I like having a collection, I budget well for them so money isn't an issue. The issue really is shelf space.

I had the Resident Evil films in four separate cases, but sold them and bought the one case edition released recently. I would do this with all the series of films, but it's not in my hands what gets released, obviously.

I think my problem is that I want all my films in one room. Discs are the easiest solution to watching the best quality at the moment, but it defeats the object if they are spread all over the house in different cabinets or on different shelves.

I am approaching 1000 and ran out of space some time ago, any suggestions also would be good!

[chip75]

Depending on your shelf space above your BD's you can gain some room by putting the BD's in normal cases on their sides.

You can make custom-covers for your franchises or buy smaller US cases to put your movies in..

[Blu Lemmy]

Or you could get rid of that second sofa and buy more shelfs....

Guests may have to sit on the floor but at least they can admire your collection

[Buddy Ackerman]

if you really don't buy them for the covers or the cases then why not just put all of the discs in giant disc holder binders? It'll save you a huge amount of space but, obviously it's much harder to show off your collection, if that makes a difference to you.

[TJ Doc]

Originally Posted by chip75

Depending on your shelf space above your BD's you can gain some room by putting the BD's in normal cases on their sides.

I second this. Stacking the regular amaray cases has given my collection some extra breathing room.

Plus, I guess the titles are easier to read.

[Nocturnaloner]

I have room for about 600 discs. I try to use that as the upper limit of my collection. Recently, most of my dvd dupes that I had upgraded to blu-ray were purged. If I had more room, I'd build more shelves.

[HotRats]

Store/dump the Amarays and put the discs in Tyvek sleeves or use CD jewel cases and print custom inlays.

[Rixx]

I've replaced most of the large cases with 11mm blu ray cases. Have to be careful as some are really cheap quality, 11mm Amaray cases are good, though they are expensive at the moment.

I used to get 60 cases on each shelf, I can now get 80 cases on each shelf. Alot of the covers fit into 11mm cases but some needed a slight trim at the back (approx 1mm).

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by Rixx

I've replaced most of the large cases with 11mm blu ray cases. Have to be careful as some are really cheap quality, 11mm Amaray cases are good, though they are expensive at the moment.

I used to get 60 cases on each shelf, I can now get 80 cases on each shelf. Alot of the covers fit into 11mm cases but some needed a slight trim at the back (approx 1mm).

This seems like the most favourable suggestion. will look into it

[Orton31291]

That's a pretty good suggestion, the covers need a very small light trim which you won't notice. Problem being finding the official cases for a good price.

[mattyl149]

I could never trim the sleeves. So it's a good job I'm not short of space

[in2blu]

I'm currently in the process of doing just this, trying to regain shelf space. I wanted to store them whilst keeping the cover so I decided to use A5 ring binders with A5 pockets, then put the discs in paper sleeves. You may need to purchase a lot but already I have gained a good bit of space back. I have Dvd profiler so thats handy to keep track of what I have.

[Tony208]

A. More shelves
B. Weed out titles
C. Minimize packaging

I'm doing B.

[Sinthetic]

Originally Posted by mattyl149

I could never trim the sleeves. So it's a good job I'm not short of space

Man, you have 1175 BDs on your shelf. Can you give us an idea of how you have managed to fit that many on there? Converted your garage to a Blu-ray mausoleum?

[NoFro]

I could never damage the packaging of my blu rays to make room for more!

I wouldn't buy blu rays if I wasn't interested in the packaging. I'd probably just download! I'm running low on space back home having filled up the film shelves in the lounge and not being far off in my bedroom. Once the blu rays I still have at uni get home there will be overflow. Don't know what I'll do then. First thing I'll do when I move out will be buying some cheap Ikea shelving!

Whilst I'm at Uni I have a couple of giant disc wallets. 280 discs each. That allows me to transport my blus easily and if I wanted to I could easily put my cases into storage so, if you're not too bothered about keeping your cases on display then that is an option, but I imagine you are

[toddly6666]

I wonder how big collections would be if people didn't care about displaying the packaging.

[evilzedar]

I do a mixture of what others have said. For DVDs I put most of them in those black storage cases, throw out the black DVD amarays and put 'special' ones (transparent/red etc.) and all the covers/booklets in storage. For Blu-rays I store all my amarays in horizontal position, for my shelves it creates a lot more space doing that. My box-sets, slipcovers and steels are in the usual vertical position.

I could never bring myself to cut any of my covers to get them into smaller boxes...

[mattyl149]

Originally Posted by Sinthetic

Man, you have 1175 BDs on your shelf. Can you give us an idea of how you have managed to fit that many on there? Converted your garage to a Blu-ray mausoleum?

I have a whole room downstairs with all my Blu-rays and over 3000 DVDs. I have lots of shelves which are all hand made. You can get a rough idea from my video on Youtube, but I have moved some more shelves into there since and put a lot of DVDs on them. Only about 10-15% of DVDs are in this video as the rest were upstairs where I moved them from. I've got some more shelves to build in the next few weeks as I have a lot of DVDs in crates in those rooms. I will be doing an updated video soon:

Blu-ray and DVD collection - Part 1 - Overview and brief update - YouTube

BTW: It looks even better since I filmed this video

[Cevolution]

Buy practical shelves that maximumise your space and needs.