Show Us Your Scratches, A Thread of Damaged Discs

[eChopper]

Remember that video from 17 years ago on you tube where someone tried to scratch a promo Blu ray disc that had TDK durabis clear coat ? Even steel wool couldn’t scratch it

replicators have for years used cheap spin coat final layer that scratches

Combine that with factory workers who are on starvation wages , no one seems to care

This disease has now spread to Europe as I’m seeing Indicator Blu rays scratched . My Hitchcock 4k collection from Germany was scratched too. Never seen a scratched disc from Japan ever.

For an extra 10 cents per disc the studios could have stuck with TDK durabis instead of sandwhich wrap cellophane

They seem to want physical media to die

I send so many discs back to Amazon I’m amazed they haven’t banned me yet, but I don’t care I keep sending em back till I get a non scratched copy.Phuckthem.

[MrGarmonbozia]

Originally Posted by eChopper

I send so many discs back to Amazon I’m amazed they haven’t banned me yet, but I don’t care I keep sending em back till I get a non scratched copy.Phuckthem.

Because of this, Amazon has put a block on my account where I can't set up replacements on my own, only refunds. So I have to go through the chat reps and I guess there's a big note on my account mentining how I exchange multiple discs. Urgh!

[themp3000]

I’ve mostly just cut back. Trying to focus on imports more than domestic releases. I’ve had a better run with imports so far. Knock on wood that continues. I don’t wanna cut back anymore than I already have. Or maybe it’s a good thing, heck if I know! All the problems have burnt me out from serious collecting. And my hesitancy to get excited or hope for 4Ks as well. Those things are sensitive and fragile, at times I wonder why I embraced the format but fortunately it’s been excellent so far with the discs. As long as that’s the case, I will approach it with caution.

I went through about 4 Sonny Chiba Shout sets before I gave up. I don’t like dealing with replacement schemes and the like. I’ll just pick up whatever Eureka ends up releasing from the set individually. I’m glad I’m region free capable because otherwise I would have to accept missing out on these and other films.

I’ve been fortunate on the Criterion side of things. Okja UHD had a small ding but it did not affect playback in either my Panny 420 or Panny 820. It also helps they haven’t necessarily put out a ton of things I really want in the first place too. And even then, there are sometimes superior overseas editions. Criterion Channel has really cut my blind buying down to a minuscule amount.

I did have some anime that were problematic but they played with no problem. But I’ve mostly cut that out completely from my budget with maybe a few odds and ends here and there. I’m largely content with the collection I’ve got so it’s hit its limitations. I still check the discs before I place them on my shelf in any case.

I’ve largely been fine outside of Shout and the rare Criterion stuff. It’s why I haven’t bought a Shout disc in the past 2-3 years and I don’t feel a need to change that. I’d like to buy their Shaw stuff but I don’t feel like dealing with the nonsense to get even just the minimally acceptable discs. And Criterion is just kinda shrug. At least Criterion makes it super easy to get a replacement handled. I can respect that.

[djgabz]

It's crazy, I think 2023 is the worst year for collector. I start collecting Blu-ray movies since 2007. The last months I had to order at least two times a lot of blu-ray / 4K on Amazon before having one without scratches. I did that for Infinity Pool, The Whale (I had to order even that one 3 time before having a good copy), Knock at the Cabin 4k... At least with Amazon, the return process is easy.

This is the copy of Knock at the Cabin 4K disc that I received. WTF, that disc pass control quality lol. I think it is the worst disc that I ever received. I paid full price for that man...

[IMG][/IMG]

The Last order I did directly from the Criterion Website at their 50% sale, I think i had like 90% of them that was scratched, blu-rays and 4k. I wrote to them and they exchange me all the discs with new one they inspect before they send it. At least, the service from Criterion is still great but they have to do something about this issue.

It's becoming frustrating for collector like us that still believe in the power of physical media for better PQ/AQ, better acces to movies than streaming, etc.

[Jay H.]

Other than a few of the used discs I've bought, none of them have been scratched. Not one. The used discs I previously mentioned, which had small scratches, all played fine.

This issue seems to be affecting 4K discs more than others. I have a very small amount of 4K discs (I only bought them for the included Blu-ray) but none of them are scratched.

Knock on wood.

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by MrGarmonbozia

Well, with other posters mentioning possible freezes, etc. in other players, I popped the scratched Streetfighter disc in my usual player (I had tested it in the PS4 initially) and, sure enough, it freezes up not long into the film and on one of the special features.

I have written SHOUT to see if this is "significant" enough to merit a replacement.

Here is their policy that they initially directed me to regarding scratched/damaged discs:

Scratches bigger than ½ inch are grounds for a replacement (visual proof required). For discs with scratches smaller than ½ inch: we will replace the disc only if the customer confirms playback has been affected. Cosmetic scuffs that do not affect playback do not qualify for a return.

This is just ridiculous. I get that it’s not the fault of these labels that the replicators are scratching discs and that it’s likely costing them money to replace them all, but the onus should not be on the paying customer to hold the bag. I don’t care if the disc will play, a scratched disc is a damaged disc and is completely unacceptable. Go back to Technicolor with all the returned discs and demand remuneration for all the damaged product they’re delivering to you if it’s costing you so much money.

No other industry operates this way where you buy something new, point out it’s damaged and are basically told to PFO.

I don’t care if it’s a small scratch or one of those Freddy Krueger jobs, all scratched discs go back and I’m not wasting my precious time sitting through a film just waiting for the scenes where the damage becomes evident.

[zeze]

I read somewhere else on these forums that vertical scratches affect discs less than circular/horizontal scratches because of how the player reads the disc.

Based on my experience after seeing that, I found it to be true as I have had multiple discs with a bunch of vertical scratches (some scratches are the entire length of the disc) and they will play without issues whereas I have had discs with the smallest horizontal scratch and they will freeze up. With that said this is not always the case (especially with 4K discs) but is what I find more often than not.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by MrGarmonbozia

As you can see, most of these scratches are right on the edge of the disc.

Any thoughts on what exactly is causing it?

Seems to me it's how it's taken out of the machine or something but I have no clue what a Bluray making machine looks like.

My discs tend to not have any rhyme or reason to the scratches. I've seen large scratches and entire rows of scratches that literally look like Freddy took a swipe at it with a glove. Edge, center, I've seen scratches all over my discs.

Originally Posted by Freeza

Hold them near a light source then slowly rotate the angle. It's amazing how much scratching can be invisible to the naked eye without.

Yup. Anybody who says they have no scratched discs isn't looking at the discs properly. Period.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by eChopper

Remember that video from 17 years ago on you tube where someone tried to scratch a promo Blu ray disc that had TDK durabis clear coat ? Even steel wool couldn’t scratch it

replicators have for years used cheap spin coat final layer that scratches

Combine that with factory workers who are on starvation wages , no one seems to care

This disease has now spread to Europe as I’m seeing Indicator Blu rays scratched . My Hitchcock 4k collection from Germany was scratched too. Never seen a scratched disc from Japan ever.

For an extra 10 cents per disc the studios could have stuck with TDK durabis instead of sandwhich wrap cellophane

They seem to want physical media to die

I send so many discs back to Amazon I’m amazed they haven’t banned me yet, but I don’t care I keep sending em back till I get a non scratched copy.Phuckthem.

This.

All blu-rays have to have scratch-resistant coating, but I suspect that the majority now use a much cheaper, very thin layer that's just not very effective.

I remember Verbatim used to make blank DVDs with "Hard Coat Scratch Guard" and they were noticeably thicker than standard blank DVDs. Those were very resistant to scratching.

Companies are cheapening out in all areas, so are we surprised that they're cheapening out on the scratch coating? But it's costing them all in the long run, because many of us are just getting sick of it, and look at all the returns they get. And then instead of the labels putting pressure on the manufacturers to put out better discs, they come down on us for not wanting to keep the damaged discs.

Shout demanding "proof" that the discs won't play is another kick in the groin to their customers. How in the world can you provide proof of this on video?

Originally Posted by MrGarmonbozia

Because of this, Amazon has put a block on my account where I can't set up replacements on my own, only refunds. So I have to go through the chat reps and I guess there's a big note on my account mentining how I exchange multiple discs. Urgh!

I've run into this, where they won't tell me why but they say they can't set up a replacement even though they're in stock; they'll only set up a refund, so if I bought it originally on sale, I'm screwed. I've wondered why that happens.

Like I said, instead of punishing the customer, how about they expect better from the manufacturers?

Best Buy dropped their return policy a few years ago form 30 days to 14. Guess who I almost never buy anything from any more? Stop punishing customers just because they won't accept damaged items.

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Anybody who says they have no scratched discs isn't looking at the discs properly. Period.

Really? Darn. I thought I was.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Jay H.

Really? Darn. I thought I was.

Originally Posted by Jay H.

Other than a few of the used discs I've bought, none of them have been scratched. Not one. The used discs I previously mentioned, which had small scratches, all played fine.

This issue seems to be affecting 4K discs more than others. I have a very small amount of 4K discs (I only bought them for the included Blu-ray) but none of them are scratched.

Knock on wood.

Blu-ray discs are getting scratched just as badly these days as UHD.

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Blu-ray discs are getting scratched just as badly these days as UHD.

Word.

[MrGarmonbozia]

I guess the large scratched elephant in the room is:

What do we do about it?

How to get the message across that we want to keep purchasing their product but the rate of damaged media is starting to take it's tole on our want to keep supporting it.

Another user mentioned leaving negative reviews on the plants Google page.

A Change.org page?
More comments on social showing our scratched discs?

I dunno, man. I really don't want to abandon this long time love of collecting cinema but, honestly, I'm getting so bummed out with all the scratches and the response the companies have to asking for replacements.

[eChopper]

just keep sending em back , thats the ultimate message

or buy all your Non Kino, Non criterion Non warners Archive tiltles from another country like amazon Japan . Their postage rates are very reasonable

here in australia we still have retail stores like JB HIFI who don't mind when u return a disc if it freezes . We used to have our blu rays pressed at technicolor sydney and they were perfect , now i see the dreaded ""KK " on the ifpi code so many are being pressed in Mexico

Curiously because by Australian law a consumer can immediately return a damaged product for a full refund ive noted Scratched discs are very very rare here despite being pressed in mexico . So clearly Technicolor mexico has dedicated lines of production for certain vendors to give a superior product when they want to

Its the same for Universal Studios Japan - all their blu rays and 4ks get pressed in Germany , ( as do Indicator Uk blu rays ) , but the tonne of Japanese Universal German pressed discs i have are immaculate . The Japanese consumer market is all about perfection so mysteriously Germany takes care about their discs or universal Japan pays them more to not slide discs across benches before putting em in a case LOL

[Jobla]

I examined about ten of the last Criterion discs that I bought, and ditto for Scream Factory discs. I am not seeing any scratches, and I am holding them up to an overhead light.

Even if I am somehow missing seeing scratches, the discs are playing fine without any playback issues.

[meremortal]

The first few years I was collecting blus I didn't give much thought to scratches and rarely inspected for scratches in used stores. Maybe it was more of an 'early adopter' base back then who tended to take care of stuff. It seems much more common to see beaten up blus in stores over the last few years. It does make me wonder if companies are cutting corners and using some kind of inferior protection coat compared to years past.

[PGW]

Originally Posted by RCRochester

I get that it’s not the fault of these labels that the replicators are scratching discs...

But they're the ones who are responsible, since they're the ones who are hiring the replicators in the first place. Let the find replicators who can actually do their job without damaging the product.

[HarcourtMudd]

Originally Posted by PGW

But they're the ones who are responsible, since they're the ones who are hiring the replicators in the first place. Let the find replicators who can actually do their job without damaging the product.

... and that's the problem: The Mexico plant is the only choice out there right now. It's not so much as the Mexico plant being a poor choice... it's the ONLY choice (for domestic stuff, anyway). Don't get me wrong, I agree with you 100%. But until such time as more pressing plants come online, I fear we're stuck...

[Maned Sloth]

This thread is fascinating. I work at a library, and we acquire a decent number of Blu-Ray movies. I try to flip the discs over when I'm preparing them for cataloging, and scratches have gotten really bad lately. I used to be more aggressive about sending things back, but at this point, I figure that the replacement copies will have scratches, too. TV shows and any sort of large set always give me anxiety.

I'm also noticing that the majority of factory-sealed Xbox games now arrive with scratches. That's frustrating, because I don't have a practical way to test those games, whereas I can at least spot-check the Blu-Ray movies. PS games almost never arrive scratched (which is funny, because those PS discs are oddly prone to popping loose inside the cases).

[RCRochester]

Originally Posted by PGW

But they're the ones who are responsible, since they're the ones who are hiring the replicators in the first place. Let the find replicators who can actually do their job without damaging the product.

Did you actually read the remainder of my post instead of just the preamble? I literally said the labels need to throw it back at Technicolor to deal with the issue. It’s not that easy to find another replicator when there’s apparently only one left in all of North America.