Oily Blu-ray Cases

[rdodolak]

I'm not so sure it's outgassing rather that the surface is shiny or smooth which results in a specular reflection, making any dirt [more] noticable, where as a matte or rough surface results in a diffussed reflection.

That's why laptops, tablets, or anything for that matter, with glossy surfaces or glass screens show the oil which was transferred from your hands to the material surface. You don't noticed those same oils on your matte cases but that doesn't mean they're not there as well. You just don't notice it since the light is diffused.

Even temperature differences can cause noticable condensation on glossy surfaces such as blu-ray cases.

[Leeon0]

What you're describing are external influences, such as fingerprints, dust, smoke, etc. which will show on a smooth surface. When a Blu-ray case has been wiped clean inside, snapped shut, and tucked away inside a cabinet, none of those contaminants are present. Yet after several months or so, the residue will reappear inside the case. That's evidence of outgassing.

[joie]

It is something happening inside the case.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Nisei

Do you use 1 type of cases are have you noticed it on other brands as well?

Here in the UK lots of BD or DVD cases in my collection that don't have a matt finish have these marks inside (I usually see it in slim cases for DVD TV box sets). I've always assumed it was from the factory where the case was made (I call it machine-oil-mist when speaking to my brother!).

I usually try and leave it alone otherwise I'll wipe it off with a microfibre cloth if I smudge it. I've noticed a few DVD have had the writing on the cover come through onto the clear plastic. My fingers are usually quite dry but you can see the marks on the plastic because of the residue. All the text and most of the logos are visible on the cover below.

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[GhostDawg]

I also noticed this residue on the Blu-ray cases. In addition to Viva Elites, it seems to be most common with the 14mm Amaray cases that are mostly used in Europe. I have not noticed any transfer from the case to the disc luckily. Although few discs had some cloudy spots but that could be something else.
I've bought some Viva Elite replacement cases before but even a percentage of these have the same residue problem.

Does the residue usually return after cleaning?

I've noticed that some recent releases have a newer design of the Viva Elite case. That particular case is a bit lighter blue with a recycling logo on the inner cover (no holes though). But I doubt that it will be any better in this regard.

[Hard Times Chaney]

Man, I love this place. I've long wondered what the hell those circular things are. Now I know.

NOW, people, look closer on your inserts. Unfortunately, those circles seems to come off on the inserts. Not only will it be visible, run your finger through the insert and it will have left indentations as well.

Noticed it had happened to some of my Blu-rays the other day. Annoying as hell!

Anyone spotting it on their inserts? Go look!

[GhostDawg]

Old thread but decided to report that I've now definitely seen some transfer of the residue from the case to the disc. There are cloudy areas in many of the discs I've checked but only with the 14mm Amaray UK cases. Pretty weird. The cloudy spots wipe away easily though.

[antennahead]

Originally Posted by GhostDawg

Old thread but decided to report that I've now definitely seen some transfer of the residue from the case to the disc. There are cloudy areas in many of the discs I've checked but only with the 14mm Amaray UK cases. Pretty weird. The cloudy spots wipe away easily though.

A lot of this was discussed in another thread recently, but to quickly get to the point, I too have had this issue, both with new purchases as well as discs in my library developing the issue. As you state, it does wipe off easily, but it is a pain in the ass.

[GhostDawg]

I checked a lot of discs today and all the cases where the residue was also on the discs were the 14mm UK-style Amarays. There was nothing with the thinner cases. I can see the residue in many of the US-style Viva Elites and some of the thinner Amarays but not the same amount as in the thicker cases. Can the plastic quality be so different, I wonder?

In any case, it's kinda annoying. I'm not sure if it even helps to wipe the cases if the residue just comes back. Or buy replacement cases if those have it from the factory.

The area where I live is not usually even that humid or certainly not too hot. Not very often anyway. And there's zero sunlight in my film library. And the residue is many times there already when I get the discs from Amazon and wherever.

[MAGA Cinema 17]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Never noticed any oily residue attaching itself to my discs. What area and type of climate do you live in and what type of cases give you the most problems?

I’ve notice the same thing on my cases as well as to what the other person said. I live in IN and IL before that. So. Midwest climate. Some are worse then others and others are fine. I’ve also noticed it on new and sealed blu rays too.

[GhostDawg]

With the black 4K cases the residue is the most noticable. It's always there even from new. I just wipe the cases nowadays with a microfiber cloth.

[GhostDawg]

It is unavoidable by-product of the plastic moulding process I guess. But the residue will definitely at times transfer to the discs at some point. It's not really a problem with Blu-rays but I've seen DVD's that are permanently cloudy.

[unberechenbar]

Got the UHD of Battleship and there was a lot of residue on the case and even a little on the disc itself. Didn't have playback issues until the post-credits scene though. I wonder if it is worse for discs that have been sealed in shrink-wrap a long time.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by GhostDawg

It is unavoidable by-product of the plastic moulding process I guess. But the residue will definitely at times transfer to the discs at some point. It's not really a problem with Blu-rays but I've seen DVD's that are permanently cloudy.

I think it's from the temperature inside the manufacturing facility, and the different weather to where the cases are being transported. Since the cases are sealed and not ventilated, there is no way for the moisture to escape dry, except when they the cases are opened. It's not a big issue, all the person have to do is wipe it with a dry cloth, and it's as good as new.

[Hobbit1979]

Same thing here. I thought it was the humidity in my area, it can reach 70-75% at winter time (I live in Greece). Seems a lot worse at black 4K cases. At least two instances spoteded the thing on the back of the disc. Wipes of easy.

Anyone ever had a problem playing any disc with such marks on the back?? (after cleaning them ofcourse).

[slimjean]

Originally Posted by Nisei

There are colored cases, they're just not easy to find.

Please don't use that term.