Plastic Blu-ray Disc Cases: What Sizes Are They & Who Makes Them?

[hok007]

Thanks for the great thread! I've found a Chinese manufacturer (Cheung Shing Plastic Moulding Factory) that appears to make blu-ray cases in blue, red and transparent finishes. Anyone know if these are being (or will be) packaged as replacements at the retail level? Any idea which cases they correspond to, in terms of design? It would be nice to have non-blue alternatives.

I attach their picture.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by hok007

Thanks for the great thread! I've found a Chinese manufacturer (Cheung Shing Plastic Moulding Factory) that appears to make blu-ray cases in blue, red and transparent finishes. Anyone know if these are being (or will be) packaged as replacements at the retail level? Any idea which cases they correspond to, in terms of design? It would be nice to have non-blue alternatives.

I attach their picture.

I haven't seen those style of cases before but they appear to be another generic brand. The red cases actually look pink.

[primitiveskin]

I was feeling a little cranky again, due to some of my fellow forum members describing 12.5mm generic Blu-ray Disc cases as being "clones" or "knockoffs," so a new section, Should I be concerned with "clone" or "knockoff" cases?, has been added to the original post.

There are discussions about how Nexpak PremierPaks are really good replacements for 11mm MeadWestvaco Vortex cases, but are generic cases nonetheless. I note the lack of retailers for genuine 12.5mm Viva Elites (Disc Makers apparently will no longer be selling Elites, and will instead be selling generic cases: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...98#post2077498). I reiterate that retailer sales presentations may lead you to believe that you are buying one thing, when you may actually be about to pull the trigger on something else entirely. And, finally, I get to express my disdain, once again, for the Viva Eco-Box cases!

[binarymelon]

Originally Posted by primitiveskin

I was feeling a little cranky again, due to some of my fellow forum members describing 12.5mm generic Blu-ray Disc cases as being "clones" or "knockoffs," so a new section, Should I be concerned with "clone" or "knockoff" cases?, has been added to the original post.

There are discussions about how Nexpak PremierPaks are really good replacements for 11mm MeadWestvaco Vortex cases, but are generic cases nonetheless. I note the lack of retailers for genuine 12.5mm Viva Elites (Discmakers apparently will no longer be selling Elites, and will instead be selling generic cases: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...98#post2077498). I reiterate that retailer sales presentations may lead you to believe that you are buying one thing, when you may actually be about to pull the trigger on something else. And, finally, I get to express my disdain again for the Viva Eco-Box cases!

I never knew about these MeadWestVaco cases. I find this a little odd. I've purchased 150 cases from Sleevecity and US Plastic claiming to be Nexpak cases, but they are definitely not the case you have listed as the Nexpak single. I have however bought the 2-disc cases from Sleevecity and they are what you have listed as the Nexpak double case, but Sleevecity no longer advertises these cases as Nexpak. Are you sure you don't have these mixed up? If it's been verified than that's fine, but I thought I remember someone telling me Nexpak was the official case in the US and Amaray in the UK, but they had the same parent company.

[primitiveskin]

Originally Posted by binarymelon

I never knew about these MeadWestVaco cases. I find this a little odd. I've purchased 150 cases from Sleevecity and US Plastic claiming to be Nexpak cases, but they are definitely not the case you have listed as the Nexpak single. I have however bought the 2-disc cases from Sleevecity and they are what you have listed as the Nexpak double case, but Sleevecity no longer advertises these cases as Nexpak. Are you sure you don't have these mixed up? If it's been verified than that's fine, but I thought I remember someone telling me Nexpak was the official case in the US and Amaray in the UK, but they had the same parent company.

The multi-national company Viva serves the international Blu-ray Disc market by offering variations on four different sizes of cases. The sister companies of AGI (Amaray) and MeadWestvaco can do the same thing with their combined four sizes of cases, in addition to producing digi trays that can be glued onto cardboard fold-outs for use in multi-disc Digipaks (http://www.meadwestvaco.com/Products/MWV005774). Whereas, Nexpak is expected to take care of the needs of BD producers worldwide with just...their 11mm cases.

Let's look at the current Sleeve City sales presentation (http://www.sleevetown.com/blu-ray-hd-dvd-case.shtml). The item description for the single-disc case says that it is from Nexpak, while the description for the double-disc case makes nary a mention of Nexpak. And yet, both of the photos are of...11mm Vortex cases!?!

Hey! I've bought from Sleeve City, and was completely satisfied with the transaction. In fact, the photos that I have in the original post of what I believe to be Nexpak singles and doubles were purchased through Sleeve City. Looking at the photos, the singles and doubles pretty much share all of the same design characteristics, except for the disc hub buttons!

As for U.S. Plastic, their purported Nexpak also uses a photo of an 11mm single-disc Vortex case (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=31717)! I've not purchased through U.S. Plastic, so maybe they do in fact sell 11mm single-disc MeadWestvaco Vortex cases. However, this really doesn't do me any good, since when I bought from Sleeve City, I was in fact trying to buy BOTH 11mm singles and doubles.

Please fully describe, or post photos of the single-disc cases that you bought from Sleeve City and U.S. Plastic, so that we can do a much better job of comparing and contrasting.

[binarymelon]

Originally Posted by primitiveskin

The multi-national company Viva serves the international Blu-ray Disc market by offering variations on four different sizes of cases. The sister companies of AGI (Amaray) and MeadWestvaco can do the same thing with their four sizes of cases, in addition to producing digi trays that can be glued onto cardboard fold-outs for use in multi-disc Digipaks (http://www.meadwestvaco.com/Products/MWV005774). Whereas, Nexpak is expected to take care of the needs of BD producers worldwide with just...their 11mm case.

Let's look at the current Sleeve City sales presentation (http://www.sleevetown.com/blu-ray-hd-dvd-case.shtml). The item description for the single-disc case says that it is from Nexpak, while the description for the double-disc case makes nary a mention of Nexpak. And yet, both of the photos are of...11mm Vortex cases!?!

Hey! I've bought from Sleeve City, and was completely satisfied with the transaction. In fact, the photos that I have in the original post of what I believe to be Nexpak singles and doubles were purchased through Sleeve City. Looking at the photos, the singles and doubles pretty much share all of the same design characteristics, except for the disc hub buttons!

As for U.S. Plastic, their purported Nexpak also uses a photo of an 11mm single-disc Vortex case (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=31717)! I've not purchased through U.S. Plastic, so maybe they do in fact sell 11mm single-disc MeadWestvaco Vortex cases. However, this really doesn't do me any good, since when I bought from Sleeve City, I was in fact trying to buy BOTH 11mm singles and doubles.

Please fully describe, or post photos of the single-disc cases that you bought from Sleeve City and U.S. Plastic, so that we can do a much better job of comparing and contrasting.

I'll try and post some pictures when I get home. I'm not sure I'll be able to pick out any Sleevecity singles, from what I could tell they were identical to the US Plastic cases.

[Blu3]

Wow, great thread guys!

But my head is spinning from all the info and links

Can someone point me to where I can buy a single 4 disc case, for my Planet Earth?

I can see one here, but don't see a purchase page:

http://www.viva-elite.com/15mm_bw.php

Thanks!

[binarymelon]

This is the 2-disc case purchased from Sleevetown in Aug '08: http://www.flickr.com/photos/binarym...7621466088444/

This is the single purchased from Sleevetown in Jul '07: http://www.flickr.com/photos/binarym...7621466088444/

This is the single purchased from US Plastic in Mar '08:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binarym...7621466088444/

[seigneur_rayden]

Very informative thread. Props to OP

[primitiveskin]

Originally Posted by Blu3

Wow, great thread guys!

But my head is spinning from all the info and links

Can someone point me to where I can buy a single 4 disc case, for my Planet Earth?

I can see one here, but don't see a purchase page:

http://www.viva-elite.com/15mm_bw.php

Thanks!

Normally, I try to avoid responding to posts that ask where to purchase certain types of cases, preferring that this thread remain focused solely on providing information about the cases themselves, rather than allow it to become cluttered like the following threads:

Blu-ray Cases & Accessories Thread:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=80758

Blu-ray Cases:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=6694

You've included a previously mentioned link for 15mm Viva Elites. All of the Viva Elite links are for informational purposes, and not for direct-to-consumer purchase. Likewise, you will NOT be able to purchase directly from companies that you find on a b2b (business-to-business) site like Alibaba.com. Companies listed on Alibaba for Blu-ray Disc cases are, more often than not, contract Chinese plastic manufacturers. So, if you're not looking to acquire a container-load (not just a case, or even a pallet's worth) of cases, I would avoid browsing the wares at Alibaba.

That being said, barlettphoto was considering a group-buy of 6-disc cases from a source in Australia (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...72#post2045472), but has instead thrown in his lot with Rantlers for a purchase from the same source (https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=106026). I believe that the Rantlers order has already been placed, so I'll leave it up to you if you want to PM him about it.

[primitiveskin]

Originally Posted by binarymelon

This is the 2-disc case purchased from Sleevetown in Aug '08: http://www.flickr.com/photos/binarym...7621466088444/

This is the single purchased from Sleevetown in Jul '07: http://www.flickr.com/photos/binarym...7621466088444/

This is the single purchased from US Plastic in Mar '08:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binarym...7621466088444/

Well, both of the single-disc cases purchased from either Sleeve City or U.S. Plastic are genuine 11mm MeadWestvaco Vortex cases. There are three telltale features: 1) The squared-off spine that doesn't extend all of the way to the top and bottom of the case; 2) The distinctive disc hub button; and 3) The breaks in the circle of the disc tray, with their flat, sunken, oval-shaped finger guide paths. Contrast those features with those of the Nexpak PremierPak: 1) The spine tapers to points at the top and bottom like on the Viva Elite; 2) A different disc hub button; and 3) Shaped finger guide paths that...well, look like they were designed to guide your fingers directly underneath the rim of the disc to help remove it from the hub.

I was looking through my records for when I purchased my singles and doubles, but could only verify that I bought my doubles from Sleeve City in January '09. However, I'm fairly certain that my singles were also purchased from Sleeve City within a month of my double-disc case transaction.

Like I've stated before, the photos that I've posted for Nexpak singles and doubles share most of the same design features, except of course, for the different disc hub buttons. But, I've actually got an explanation for why the buttons are different. Unfortunately, my explanation, while answering a question, also opens up another point of inquiry:

The buttons on the Nexpak PremierPak double-disc case are the standard Nexpak disc hub button, whereas, the button on their single-disc case is their...Amaray II-style disc hub button (http://www.nexpak.com/product.asp?id=23&cat=1). And of course, that all sounds completely ridiculous, since how can an unaffiliated manufacturer use another company's (AGI's) brand name (Amaray) for their own products?!?

For all I know, the examples of single-disc Nexpaks that I have could be a variant, with another version bearing the standard 3-section Nexpak disc hub button. Only other people who have bought singles from Sleeve City, which aren't in fact genuine Vortex cases, can answer that question....

[adrian42677]

I had received this e-mail from Discmakers about a week ago:

"Hello,

We are no longer carrying the Viva Elite because we couldn't guarantee a steady supply. We now carry the Vortex box which is also a premium box used by many of the major studios. I personally saw no real difference between the two. Also, our largest customer was worried about the switch until he realized it's now the Vortex box. He was completely fine with it and has received several orders since.

The picture on our website has been updated to the Vortex box. What's pictured is what you will receive. Also, I'm currently evaluating the multi disc cases from Vortex."

So it's not the generics but actually the Vortex cases used by Sony and Disney. Their website picture is now correct and the pricing is actually lower. Hopefully they will start carrying multi-discs pretty soon.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by adrian42677

I had received this e-mail from Discmakers about a week ago:

"Hello,

We are no longer carrying the Viva Elite because we couldn't guarantee a steady supply. We now carry the Vortex box which is also a premium box used by many of the major studios. I personally saw no real difference between the two. Also, our largest customer was worried about the switch until he realized it's now the Vortex box. He was completely fine with it and has received several orders since.

The picture on our website has been updated to the Vortex box. What's pictured is what you will receive. Also, I'm currently evaluating the multi disc cases from Vortex."

So it's not the generics but actually the Vortex cases used by Sony and Disney. Their website picture is now correct and the pricing is actually lower. Hopefully they will start carrying multi-discs pretty soon.

Very disappointing to hear since DiskMakers was one of the few, if not only, places that offered the Viva Elite cases for sale to consumers.

Especially since the Vortex cases can be readily found online from numerous resellers.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by adrian42677

I had received this e-mail from Discmakers about a week ago:

"Hello,

We are no longer carrying the Viva Elite because we couldn't guarantee a steady supply. We now carry the Vortex box which is also a premium box used by many of the major studios. I personally saw no real difference between the two. Also, our largest customer was worried about the switch until he realized it's now the Vortex box. He was completely fine with it and has received several orders since.

The picture on our website has been updated to the Vortex box. What's pictured is what you will receive. Also, I'm currently evaluating the multi disc cases from Vortex."

So it's not the generics but actually the Vortex cases used by Sony and Disney. Their website picture is now correct and the pricing is actually lower. Hopefully they will start carrying multi-discs pretty soon.

I wrote an email voicing my displeasure with the switch and I'd be completely fine if DiscMakers carried both styles. I figured I'd post an update since I received a phone call from DiscMakers in response to my email and it sounds like I may have spoken to the same person that wrote the above email.

Basically, DiscMakers did order the Viva Elites directly from the Viva manufacturer. However I wanted to clarify the "steady supply" as I understood it. DiskMakers was frequently underestimately demand and ordering too few cases. However, apparently Viva only ships orders at certain intervals/windows during the year (e.g. once a month) vs. on demand which further compounds the issue. Therefore, when DiscMakers ran out of supply they had to wait until the next shipment.

I do understand the dilemma that this causes, but ultimately DiscMakers wasn't ordering enough cases to meet their own demand. If it were me I would have simply ordered a larger quantity of cases for the next shipment and then adjust that quantity based on trending analysis for future orders.

Yes, their biggest customer was upset at the switch however after finding out that the replacement cases would be the Vortex cases this customer agreed to try the Vortex cases for now.

Don't get me wrong, DiscMakers is still an awesome site and they have one of the lowest prices on cases to boot. I was impressed that the company took time out of their day to talk with their customers, something that many companies won't do anymore.

[primitiveskin]

It's a fact of life...for whatever reason, people are clamoring for multi-disc cases to store their cherished Blu-ray Discs. Is the multi-disc binder solution from Univenture an acceptable alternative, or can people only deal with cases that employ swing trays?






The Univenture Hi Def UniKeep Wallet (http://www.univenture.com/productpag...ets/13364.html) is a polypropylene case designed to hold up to six discs "binder-style" using sleeves (http://www.univenture.com/productpag...ges/27809.html). Five colors are available: Clear (translucent white); Red; Blue; Black (opaque); and White (opaque). External clasps are used to lock the cases shut. The 0.82-inch thickness of the spine is more comparable in size to that of the six-disc 21.8mm Vortex case.

The Hi Def UniKeep Wallets can be purchased from Univenture directly with a minimum order quantity of one case, however, you do need to populate the case with sleeves, which are purchased separately. Unfortunately, the minimum order quantity is for 1000 sleeves, which may or may not be all that consumer-friendly.

[binarymelon]

Why do the new posts in this thread keep disappearing?

[boxterduke]

Amazing thread.
I gotten into BDs this last xmas and noticed the difference in cases right a way.
I like the normal ones better than the thing cases with the embossed logo.
Thanks again for the thread

[jk1138]

Originally Posted by primitiveskin

It's a fact of life...for whatever reason, people are clamoring for multi-disc cases to store their cherished Blu-ray Discs. Is the multi-disc binder solution from Univenture an acceptable alternative, or can people only deal with cases that employ swing trays?




The Univenture Hi Def UniKeep Wallet (http://www.univenture.com/productpag...ets/13364.html) is a polypropylene case designed to hold up to six discs "binder-style" using sleeves (http://www.univenture.com/productpag...ges/27809.html). Five colors are available: Clear (translucent white); Red; Blue; Black (opaque); and White (opaque). External clasps are used to lock the cases shut. The 0.82-inch thickness of the spine is more comparable in size to that of the six-disc 21.8mm Vortex case.

The Hi Def UniKeep Wallets can be purchased from Univenture directly with a minimum order quantity of one case (http://www.univenture.com/acatalog/e...20DVD_20Wallet), however, you do need to populate the case with sleeves, which are purchased separately. Unfortunately, the minimum order quantity is for 1000 sleeves (http://www.univenture.com/acatalog/w...es.html#a27809), which may or may not be all that consumer-friendly.

Interesting. If only you did not need to buy the cases and the sleeves to put them in I might do it, but over $100 for just the sleeves with no case, I have to pass.

[primitiveskin]

A disclaimer has been added. While it may seem that I might know more about plastic Blu-ray Disc cases than others (and yes, maybe I know more about them than I should), this is a learning experience for all of us who are trying to expand upon our knowledge of the subject. Hey, we're all in this together!

The Why are U.S. BD cases thinner than European ones? section has been revised to highlight another difference between BD and DVD cases, namely, the tangible, physical characteristics that aid in the marketing of Blu-ray Discs, simply because it's awful hard to mistake a BD title for a DVD one in the retail setting.

New packs developed to meet new market opportunities:
http://www.oto-online.com/pdf/oto_do...27-29_Pkg1.pdf

New format, new packaging:
http://mediapack-online.com/pdf/Issu...kStandards.pdf

Trans-Atlantic Media:
http://www.packagedesignmag.com/issu...dsetters.shtml

The What's the difference between "translucent" and "clear?" section has been revised to remove all references to dyes. While I'm not all that eager to learn about the ins and outs of coloring polypropylene plastic, pigments and colorants, for opaque and translucent cases, respectively, are briefly mentioned.

The What are "security barriers?" section has been added to detail some of the anti-theft measures that have been built directly into BD cases. Previously, security barriers were referred to as support walls, especially when discussing Viva Elites and generic 12.5mm cases. However, please note, Vortex and PremierPak cases also utilize these barriers.

[primitiveskin]

The What's the difference between polystyrene and polypropylene? section has been added to give a very brief introduction to two types of plastic that are used in Blu-ray Disc packaging: 1) Polypropylene for translucent blue BD cases; and 2) Polystyrene for digi trays that are glued onto fold-out cardboard to make multi-disc digipaks, or into books to make...digibooks.

Disc and case plastics:
http://www.oto-online.com/pdf/oto_do..._Materials.pdf

The What's the difference between "translucent" and "clear?" section has been revised, yet again, to correct the coloring process for opaque cases via pigments, the production of translucent, colored cases using both clarifiers and colorants, and how clear cases just use clarifiers.

Colorants:
http://millikenchemical.com/chemical... polypropylene

Clarifiers:
http://www.clearpp.com/eng/Whats%20N...Pages/DVD.aspx