Do you obsess about slight scratches on Blu-ray discs?

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

Yes, because it means the disc will more than likely skip. DVDs? Not as much, since I had plenty of scratchy DVDs that played fine. Blu-rays seem to be affected by them more. I remember buying a used copy of Ponyo on eBay with a slight scratch. Didn’t think much of it until it started skipping 10 minutes before the end of the film. I was allowed to return it, but at least the seller let me keep the slip. I avoid used discs when I can for this very reason.

Furthermore, a Blu-ray must be seriously mishandled in order to get scratched. Those things are pretty scratch proof. I only buy used editions when I can’t find a sealed one... People really don’t care about their discs. I’ve returned several scratched secondhand discs.

[GeoffOliver]

I don't mind light smudges, dust, and fingerprints since they can be wiped off and don't seem to cause playback issues. I'm still careful not to touch the bottom though. Is it a good idea to wipe discs with alcohol pads (I've never done it)?

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

I don't mind light smudges, dust, and fingerprints since they can be wiped off and don't seem to cause playback issues. I'm still careful not to touch the bottom though. Is it a good idea to wipe discs with alcohol pads (I've never done it)?

Probably not. Alcohol is abrasive. Even water should be avoided, as it can lead to oxidation.

Oh, I totally agree. It drives me nuts when I see pictures of loose discs with their bottom facing a surface. There’s a Brazilian youtuber that is famous for mishandling his discs in his unboxing videos.

Originally Posted by Vilya

I do not obsess about any disc imperfection. If I think there is a problem, or even a potential one, I simply get the problem fixed. I take corrective action, solving both the problem and removing any "anxiety" at the same time.

But what would you call a potential problem?

[Leonidas King]

I don't obsess about it unless the disc seriously skips or doesn't play.

I do hate it when brand new discs do have light hair scratches though. It also plays a major part in what type of packaging it was added to.

[GeoffOliver]

I do confess to carefully setting my discs down on clean surfaces sometimes temporarily (TV stand, the case, my desk etc), though I was always careful about it. I don't do it anymore though.

What would be good for wiping discs off? I know paper towels are a bad idea since the light paper can cause scratches. I thought about using a dusting wipe (a clean one obviously).

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by GeoffOliver

I do confess to carefully setting my discs down on clean surfaces sometimes temporarily (TV stand, the case, my desk etc), though I was always careful about it. I don't do it anymore though.

What would be good for wiping discs off? I know paper towels are a bad idea since the light paper can cause scratches. I thought about using a dusting wipe (a clean one obviously).

I use microfiber cloths or the type of cloths that come with a new pair of eyeglasses.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Bernardo A.

But what would you call a potential problem?

Basically, a potential problem is any imperfection that does not affect playback now with my current players, but causes me any concern that it might later with the same or different players. It is better to just go ahead and correct the issue and be done with it. Better to exchange the disc than to fret about it.

As a matter of principle, I do not accept new discs that are in anything but new condition. If a simple cleaning will remove an offending smudge or fingerprint, then I am fine. Discs that are found to be scratched upon arrival get returned and exchanged. I will forgive minor cosmetic damage to packaging, but I will not accept a broken case.

[InuYashaCrusade]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Which is maybe the dumbest thing I've read on this forum. Who cares about the presentation of the movie if you can have worthless cardboard?

LOLOLOLOL

You realize this is one of the big reasons why physical media is dying. Because people want packaging over the films itself, and packaging eats up more cost than replication. More cost = less profit. All because people don't care about the movie they are buying and want junk to make it "feel" like a special edition that isn't worth a dime. Congrats. Enjoy watching your worthless slipcover since you just said you literally don't care about the film.

I'll do that. Probably gonna head to Walmart in the morning and pick up some of the new WB slipcovers just to support re-releases.

[oilers73]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

This is good advice for women with issues, too.

If this is your idea of humor, don't bother.

[Wildcat2000]

I handle all discs cds, games, DVDs, Blu-rays by the edge. I never put my fingers on the data side and always face them data up if I need to set them down.

I rarely like to get used discs of any kind because of scratches and possible glitches. If it’s very minor I’ll accept it but it’s got to be almost perfect.

It’s why I shy away from buying used games online. You can’t tell. Some people just don’t care.

Years ago I rented Gears of War from a local video store and it was a mess of scratches. Of course it crashed in the early stages.

It’s very easy to hold them by the edges and properly pop them out of cases.

[Canada]

This comes from having a Panasonic progressive DVD player, probably close to twenty years ago now, but it would skip if there was the tiniest scratch. I actually went from that to a Toshiba DVD recorder, it played everything flawlessly.

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by Wildcat2000

It’s why I shy away from buying used games online. You can’t tell. Some people just don’t care.

But games discs only serve for license reading nowadays...

[Jar Jar Stinks]

I only worry about it if the needle skips.

[Thomas Irwin]

Originally Posted by Jar Jar Stinks

I only worry about it if the needle skips.

[Wildcat2000]

Originally Posted by Bernardo A.

But games discs only serve for license reading nowadays...

What do you mean? Hard drive installation?

That’s not a thing on older systems. Plus couldn’t significant scratches still affect the process? The drive has to read it at least once.

[POD84]

Found this thread by googling this subject. Yes I do obsess over imperfections. To the point where I hate to even take the disc out of the case for fear of finding something wrong with it. Yes it's weird and I am aware that I have a problem. Recently bought a few scream factory titles and i had 9 discs that had scratches/scuffs on em. Brand new. It's crazy that some of these brand new discs have marks on em.

[Gizz]

Yes.

[Zillamon51]

*Slight* scratches don't bother me. I honestly don't think I have any on my Blu-rays, which probably goes to show how little I care. I've never received a scratched disc in a new, factory-sealed case that wasn't a floater.

I also buy a good amount of used discs. One of the first things I do is wipe everything down. And I've never noticed a scratch on the shiny, freshly-wiped playing surface. (I only buy used discs stated to be in excellent condition.)

Question: I know BDs are more durable (scratch-resistant) than DVDs. How about UHD discs? The same as Blu?

[Mr. Odessa]

G** D*****! Yes I Do and I don't even own my Blu-Ray player yet!

I just bought a copy of "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" - the Criterion version. And I noticed a scratch on the back of it! I'm gonna watch it first. If it skips or freezes, I'm exchanging it for another. Just that simple!

[joonskeezle]

Not nearly as much as I used to.

Especially in the DVD era, scratches were an automatic return, and it was common for me to stand in the store and open the replacement copy and examine it there, and more than once I found scratches on the replacement and went and got another.

(And if it was a multi-disc set, scratches were virtually guaranteed on at least one of the discs, and more than once I would stand, in the store, under the eye of the person at the desk, cobble together one "good" set from two "bad" sets.)

That was a dark time.

For much of the blu ray era, I was just as obsessive, but that's gradually diminished. I just don't have the energy anymore, and to be honest, I've sort of come to terms with the fact that most scratches don't affect playback whatsoever.

Obviously if it's a traumatic scratch, it goes back. But I tolerate minor scratches now that gave me unending anxiety back in the day.