Major Props to Disc Coating - Blu-ray Forum

Blinkman987 · 03-31-2008, 04:56 PM

I got my J&R clearance shipment today, and I heard a sound that would normally make me sigh, overwhelmed with that impending feeling of frustration and depression.

Yes, the rattle- the sound that the movie case makes when the disc has become loose. I opened up the box (T2 for those wondering) and smiled; the disc was scratchless. There would be no need for a return or wait. I immediately popped in the movie and started watching.

I've also recently bought more used Blus because of this feature, and I no longer worry about buying used games when I don't care whether or not the publisher gets money from my purchase (EA).

Blu Titan · 03-31-2008, 05:16 PM

Disc coating is a major plus, and one of the factors I considered when I decided to become a blu-ray owner.

Beta Man · 03-31-2008, 05:58 PM

I look at some of my DVDs that have a LOT of small scratches, and they play fine, but I have one disc of Sopranos (around season 3 or so) that gets "glitchy" and pixelated...... I wish they had the coating, they'd all be perfect still!!! I certainly don't "abuse" my discs either......

King03 · 03-31-2008, 06:03 PM

Overall I'm also pleased with the coating. However, I did get a used copy of Ratchet and Clank that was perfect until almost the end of the game, then it started getting glitchy. If the disc does have scratches, smaller scratches make a bigger difference on Blu-Ray...

dialog_gvf · 03-31-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blinkman987

I got my J&R clearance shipment today, and I heard a sound that would normally make me sigh, overwhelmed with that impending feeling of frustration and depression.

Yes, the rattle- the sound that the movie case makes when the disc has become loose. I opened up the box (T2 for those wondering) and smiled; the disc was scratchless. There would be no need for a return or wait. I immediately popped in the movie and started watching.

I've also recently bought more used Blus because of this feature, and I no longer worry about buying used games when I don't care whether or not the publisher gets money from my purchase (EA).

Yep. It was one of the most important, yet was the least pushed factors in the war.

I'm absolutely convinced it was a key reason Blockbuster when Blu so early. They used a "for the consumer" argument to justify their move, but I believe it was really dollars and sense for there bottom line.

I notice Disney is starting to mention it more. It will be a huge factor for parents' moving to Blu.

Gary

Braktastic · 03-31-2008, 06:17 PM

I am a huge fan of Blu-ray Disc's coating

, although I realize that it is something of a necessity given the way it is engineered. The only time the coating is problematic is if the underlying disc has imperfections.

I have had copies of Blade Runner and now Bonnie and Clyde (oddly enough both Warner Bros.) where the underlying disc has had scratches that must have occurred before the coating was applied. These type of scratches concern me greatly for two reasons, one because of the density of data packed onto a Blu-ray Disc even a small scratch can cause serious playback issues, and two if the imperfection is under the coating you certainly can buff it off, etc.

That said, the coating is generally a real positive, as opposed to some HD DVDs I've seen where it looks like it came off a steel wool line rather than a HD DVD one.

Blinkman987 · 03-31-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Yep. It was one of the most important, yet was the least pushed factors in the war.

I'm absolutely convinced it was a key reason Blockbuster when Blu so early. They used a "for the consumer" argument to justify their move, but I believe it was really dollars and sense for there bottom line.

I notice Disney is starting to mention it more. It will be a huge factor for parents' moving to Blu.

Gary

I'm glad they're advertising it more. I honestly didn't even know about Blu coating until I started researching the differences between the two formats.

While I'm by nature always weary of product claims like "coating" and such as a consumer because basically I don't trust anything until its tested, seeing the steel-wool test and now having my own anecdotal experience with it, I'm now sold completely on disc coating and it certainly made me feel even better about Blu ray winning the format war.

BruceWayne · 03-31-2008, 07:17 PM

That's why I prefer buying at a B&M store over online, but all the Blus I have ordered have been perfect. (I am also the only person I know/have ever seen in Best Buy shaking my movies before buying...

)

dialog_gvf · 03-31-2008, 07:20 PM

If the BD structure had been closer to DVD, then they very likely wouldn't have added the hard coat. It wasn't something they would have likely added just for consumer friendliness.

But, the only way to get the BD density was moving the data layer to near the surface. This allowed the better NA, allowing a finer spot, and thus permitting the higher density.

FYI:

A better PRML and even finer focus would have allowed even higher densities. The TDK 100GB and 200GB recordable prototypes use three and six layers: 33.33GB per layer instead of 25GB.

The data layers of BD are maximum 0.1mm deep. In BD50 the second data layer is at 0.075mm. More layers would be even closer to the surface. Although, they may reduce the L0/L1 separator somewhat too.

Gary

bkbluray · 03-31-2008, 07:29 PM

Disc coating only helps. When my roommates leave a disc out (arrgh!) and leave it on the table, I know that it's not going to get ruined. This is unlike a DVD, where you can leave it on the table, and it falls off once and that's it.

Mr. Cinema · 03-31-2008, 07:44 PM

The coating is nice, but it doesn't offer complete protection. I received Enemy of the State BD and it was loose inside and had several scratches. It's still good to know it's on there.

What I do like is if a BD comes with a smudge, it can easily be wiped off by a microfiber cloth and look brand new. I have had to wipe off fingerprints or other markings on dvds and scratches would be left after doing so.

tron3 · 04-01-2008, 01:48 PM

I have to agree with all you guys. The stores don't want to bother with returning scratched discs from transit. Hard coating practically ends transit damage.

When I decided I wanted blu-ray I was concerned about the damage scratches would do at those recording densities. Hard coating sold me. I hope they keep improving it.

03-31-2008, 04:56 PM	#1
Blinkman987 Banned Member since:Mar 2008	Major Props to Disc Coating I got my J&R clearance shipment today, and I heard a sound that would normally make me sigh, overwhelmed with that impending feeling of frustration and depression. Yes, the rattle- the sound that the movie case makes when the disc has become loose. I opened up the box (T2 for those wondering) and smiled; the disc was scratchless. There would be no need for a return or wait. I immediately popped in the movie and started watching. I've also recently bought more used Blus because of this feature, and I no longer worry about buying used games when I don't care whether or not the publisher gets money from my purchase (EA).

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03-31-2008, 05:16 PM	#2
Blu Titan Super Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Edo, Land of the Samurai Home Theater Gallery:42 4K collection:41 Blu-ray collection:2864 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:92	Disc coating is a major plus, and one of the factors I considered when I decided to become a blu-ray owner.

03-31-2008, 05:58 PM	#3
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	I look at some of my DVDs that have a LOT of small scratches, and they play fine, but I have one disc of Sopranos (around season 3 or so) that gets "glitchy" and pixelated...... I wish they had the coating, they'd all be perfect still!!! I certainly don't "abuse" my discs either......

03-31-2008, 06:03 PM	#4
King03 Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Colorado	Overall I'm also pleased with the coating. However, I did get a used copy of Ratchet and Clank that was perfect until almost the end of the game, then it started getting glitchy. If the disc does have scratches, smaller scratches make a bigger difference on Blu-Ray...

03-31-2008, 06:17 PM	#6
Braktastic Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Nov 2007 4K collection:583 Blu-ray collection:583 Trading Score:13	I am a huge fan of Blu-ray Disc's coating , although I realize that it is something of a necessity given the way it is engineered. The only time the coating is problematic is if the underlying disc has imperfections. I have had copies of Blade Runner and now Bonnie and Clyde (oddly enough both Warner Bros.) where the underlying disc has had scratches that must have occurred before the coating was applied. These type of scratches concern me greatly for two reasons, one because of the density of data packed onto a Blu-ray Disc even a small scratch can cause serious playback issues, and two if the imperfection is under the coating you certainly can buff it off, etc. That said, the coating is generally a real positive, as opposed to some HD DVDs I've seen where it looks like it came off a steel wool line rather than a HD DVD one.

03-31-2008, 07:17 PM	#8
BruceWayne The Dark Knight Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Gotham City Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:10 Blu-ray collection:887 DVD collection:496 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:6	That's why I prefer buying at a B&M store over online, but all the Blus I have ordered have been perfect. (I am also the only person I know/have ever seen in Best Buy shaking my movies before buying... )

03-31-2008, 07:20 PM	#9
dialog_gvf Moderator Member since:Nov 2006 Location:Toronto Blu-ray collection:320	If the BD structure had been closer to DVD, then they very likely wouldn't have added the hard coat. It wasn't something they would have likely added just for consumer friendliness. But, the only way to get the BD density was moving the data layer to near the surface. This allowed the better NA, allowing a finer spot, and thus permitting the higher density. FYI: A better PRML and even finer focus would have allowed even higher densities. The TDK 100GB and 200GB recordable prototypes use three and six layers: 33.33GB per layer instead of 25GB. The data layers of BD are maximum 0.1mm deep. In BD50 the second data layer is at 0.075mm. More layers would be even closer to the surface. Although, they may reduce the L0/L1 separator somewhat too. Gary

03-31-2008, 07:29 PM	#10
bkbluray Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:MN Home Theater Gallery:57 Blu-ray collection:185 Blu-ray reviews:25	Disc coating only helps. When my roommates leave a disc out (arrgh!) and leave it on the table, I know that it's not going to get ruined. This is unlike a DVD, where you can leave it on the table, and it falls off once and that's it.

03-31-2008, 07:44 PM	#11
Mr. Cinema Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2008 Location:NC 4K collection:34 Blu-ray collection:35 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:85	The coating is nice, but it doesn't offer complete protection. I received Enemy of the State BD and it was loose inside and had several scratches. It's still good to know it's on there. What I do like is if a BD comes with a smudge, it can easily be wiped off by a microfiber cloth and look brand new. I have had to wipe off fingerprints or other markings on dvds and scratches would be left after doing so.

04-01-2008, 01:48 PM	#12
tron3 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2004 Location:New Jersey Blu-ray reviews:3	I have to agree with all you guys. The stores don't want to bother with returning scratched discs from transit. Hard coating practically ends transit damage. When I decided I wanted blu-ray I was concerned about the damage scratches would do at those recording densities. Hard coating sold me. I hope they keep improving it.

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