CD/DVD storage

April 4, 2005 1:04 AM

Are there any CD/DVD folders, wallets, storage systems, etc. that are safer and less likely to scratch discs than others? Alternately, what is your favorite method for storing large quantities of CD/DVD's?

Bonus points for cheap and compact -- a full shelf dedicated to individual jewel cases is out of the question for me.

posted by DaShiv to Technology (17 answers total)

I'm at the same point you are, DaShiv. I switched over to a car MP3 CD player after my last head unit was stolen. I love it, except one scratch that would only affect one part of one song on an audio CD will cripple half of an album on an MP3 CD because of the data to surface area ratio. It amazes me how many CD's that are played and stored correctly in a case will still scratch with time.

My next steps:

1) My father told me he read in Popular Mechanics that blue and gold bottom CD's are higher quality and thereby more scratch resistant. Blue is the best, if I remember correctly

2) I'm going to start using those plastic/latex adhesive covers you can apply to the bottom of a CD. I've seen them advertised, but I don't know who makes them.
posted by trinarian at 1:17 AM on April 4, 2005

this is what i was referencing, but everyone seems out of the particular brand (MacTec CD 1110 CD Scratch Guards)
posted by trinarian at 1:22 AM on April 4, 2005

I like the big pleather folders (CD trapper keepers) that hold around 200 CDs. Combined with Trinarian's scratch guards, they should do the trick.
posted by schyler523 at 1:44 AM on April 4, 2005

I use the folders as well as the spindles that come with bulk packs of CDRs. The CDs don't tend to scratch on the spindles, but they're a pain to sort through.
posted by tracicle at 2:34 AM on April 4, 2005

I use Case Logic Pro Sleeves. Pull the spine from one side of the CD case, put the liner notes on the back, and any extra paperwork gets filed in its own box. Double CDs will fit in one sleeve, and they are easy to alphabetize due to their individuality (vs. books & binders). I have a few thousand CDs, and far more vinyl LPs; it's better to sort them all the same way (for me), and this system does it. The Case Logic sleeves are soft fabric on one (in)side; kinder than a jewel case, and easy to sort and organize.

I use all of those random CD folders that I seem to end up with, that hold 8 or 12 discs, for DVDs and photo CD-ROMs when travelling. CDs really do last a long time; The first degradation will be color fading from light. My oldest CDs still play, but the spines are illegible.
Stop by or e-mail the Haight for clearer descriptions.
posted by obloquy at 3:27 AM on April 4, 2005

The 20 disks I use most frequently live in a wallet on my desk. The second level of storage is 25-disk spindles. 25s are good because you can slip them off and handle them like a deck of cards. I recommend against shuffling them, though. This is good if you have big video projects that you don't have enough hard drive space to accomodate. Finally, the third level is for deep storage, spindles of 50, labeled and cataloged.

A word here about cataloging. Ahem. PUT the COFFEE DOWN. A word here about cataloging: do it. Doesn't matter if you're on someone else's clock or wasting your own time, life is too short to not have an efficient and reliable cataloging system. For those of you who enjoy putting in and taking out disks, please contact me. If you're willing to work for $3 a day, there's mad work for you here.

Speaking of around here, around here DVDs cost about a dollar. I assume that this is because the MPAA, like the RIAA, is just very laid back and have generously offered free lisencing to the country. I put DVDs into slip-in albums, the two-high, one-wide books. They're perfect for that because they're about the size of a wine list. As if you knew what a wine list looks like, Guennis boy.

Good thread.
posted by squirrel at 3:47 AM on April 4, 2005

Oh, and btw, we're going to come back and laugh at this thread. In about 5 years, it's going to read like a 1982 BBS chat board about keeping file systems across multiple cassette tapes. Slight derail: are y'all aware that DV hi-8 tapes can hold about 13 gb? Record onto them through standard USB-2 or FireWire cams or decks. Couple of providers in that area. Flash RAM video cameras where are you?! My storage needs aren't that immense, but for someone making a big movie who needs tons of long-term storage, that's a budget-happy option.
posted by squirrel at 3:57 AM on April 4, 2005

Oh, and btw, we're going to come back and laugh at this thread. In about 5 years, it's going to read like a 1982 BBS chat board about keeping file systems across multiple cassette tapes.

True enough. I installed an adapter that lets me plug an iPod into the head unit and suddenly I can't imagine wanting CDs in the car any more.
posted by 327.ca at 4:29 AM on April 4, 2005

This may not be what you're looking for, because I am staunchly opposed to any storage system that requires me taking CDs or DVDs out of their cases. (I don't know why!) Anyway, this weekend, I purchased six of these to store CDs and DVDs in. They are sized perfectly, so that you can fit two rows of DVDs or three rows of CDs, all with the spine up so you can see what is inside (since they're clear). Also, they are stackable and have handles. They're not too heavy when full, so they should be easy for moving. I needed something to store my movies and music in my closet, but still have them accessible, and for $6 each on sale, I couldn't pass these up.
posted by MrZero at 6:01 AM on April 4, 2005

dashiv, I have multiple shelves dedicated to storage of CDs in individual jewel cases (and LPs and 45s...). But for burn discs, backups, etc, I use CaseLogic CDP-25 sleeves designed to fit into a 3-ring binder. Each one holds 8 discs, or 4 discs + booklet.

For cataloging (Mac): DiskTracker. Would like to find a cataloging solution that would allow searching on ID3 tags, but this does a good job at the file name level.
posted by omnidrew at 7:29 AM on April 4, 2005

I did somethin similar to MrZero, only I went with these. They are heavier and less efficient (I might have gone with a smaller size if I realized how heavy), but the drawer makes it easy to get at them if I need to & the stackability means that if you have air room, the footprint is only as large as one.
posted by dame at 7:31 AM on April 4, 2005

I second omnidrew's suggestion of DiskTracker.
posted by squirrel at 7:53 AM on April 4, 2005

I like CD Projects, since bought by Targus. Their sleeves are of very good quality, and they're interchangeable among various units. So, you could just yank a sleeve out of your big binder at home and stick it in your 10-sleeve wallet for a road trip.
posted by mkultra at 8:20 AM on April 4, 2005

if you're going to use a large CD wallet be careful about storing cds below the zipperline on the edge- if you don't take caution to make sure the CD is clear of the zipper before pulling it out it will scratch the hell out of your cds. For this reason I recommend spindles, but there are plenty of cases out there (ones with clips instead of zippers) that will circumvent this issue.
posted by baphomet at 9:53 AM on April 4, 2005

I've used DiscSox for many years with great success - store 'em all in a dresser drawer!
posted by DandyRandy at 10:55 AM on April 4, 2005

Second the CD Projects rec. If you want to take a particular CD "on the go", just detach it and bring it. Of course, if you're like me this means that you end up with the sleeves lying around everywhere...
posted by neckro23 at 8:08 PM on April 4, 2005

I am a cheapskate, so I buy the 250 pack of envelopes from Sam's Club for like... $14, and jam 'em into some snap-together boxes I got from Best Buy for $10/pair.

I used to use prosleeves but after awhile it got expensive. I'm all about cheap, cheap, cheap at this point.
posted by beth at 6:31 AM on April 5, 2005