Storing DVDs. Any caveats?

[Muse]

Minidv tapes, they say, you should rewind and store vertically. You can't rewind a DVD, but you could store it vertically! I know, it may sound silly, but I wonder if it matters how you store them. I'd hate for any of mine to go bad, and I'm not about to go on a project of copying all my DVDs to DVD-R, DVD+R or DL. Well, not just now...

Does it matter if I store my DVDs horizontally instead of vertically? They fit better in my bookshelf that way.

 

[TheBDB]

I'm not aware of any way DVDs can be damaged by their storage orientation.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Muse
Minidv tapes, they say, you should rewind and store vertically. You can't rewind a DVD, but you could store it vertically! I know, it may sound silly, but I wonder if it matters how you store them. I'd hate for any of mine to go bad, and I'm not about to go on a project of copying all my DVDs to DVD-R, DVD+R or DL. Well, not just now...

Does it matter if I store my DVDs horizontally instead of vertically? They fit better in my bookshelf that way.

The only reason I could remotely think that storing DV tapes vertically would improve 'shelf life' is that it offers some advantage WRT the Earth's magnetic field. But I can't imagine it would make much difference. Does the *manufacturer* recommend this (and, if so, what reason do they give for it?), or is this just something you heard from someone who "knew what they were talking about"?

Rewinding, at least, ensures that the tape is fully wound onto one reel, and not suffering from any undue tension. Leaving a tape in the 'middle' for a long time could cause uneven strain on the tape or heads, I guess... still seems like a pretty minor effect. Again, manufacturer recommended, or just something you heard?

DVDs, being solid-state optical media, shouldn't care about storage orientation.

 

[0roo0roo]

what matters is that they stay out of the light, and are protected inside a case that doesn't put too much pressure on the center mount hole.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: Muse
Minidv tapes, they say, you should rewind and store vertically. You can't rewind a DVD, but you could store it vertically! I know, it may sound silly, but I wonder if it matters how you store them. I'd hate for any of mine to go bad, and I'm not about to go on a project of copying all my DVDs to DVD-R, DVD+R or DL. Well, not just now...

Does it matter if I store my DVDs horizontally instead of vertically? They fit better in my bookshelf that way.

The only reason I could remotely think that storing DV tapes vertically would improve 'shelf life' is that it offers some advantage WRT the Earth's magnetic field. But I can't imagine it would make much difference. Does the *manufacturer* recommend this (and, if so, what reason do they give for it?), or is this just something you heard from someone who "knew what they were talking about"?

Rewinding, at least, ensures that the tape is fully wound onto one reel, and not suffering from any undue tension. Leaving a tape in the 'middle' for a long time could cause uneven strain on the tape or heads, I guess... still seems like a pretty minor effect. Again, manufacturer recommended, or just something you heard?

DVDs, being solid-state optical media, shouldn't care about storage orientation.

This is a passage from my Canon Optura 20 minidv camcorder's instruction manual (freely downloadable PDF, so you can look for yourself, if you're curious), verbatim:

Cassette Handling Precautions

--> Rewind tapes after use. If the tape becomes slack and damaged, it may cause picture and sound distortion.

--> Return cassettes in the case and store them upright.

--> Do not leave the cassette in the camcorder after use.

--> Do not use spliced tapes or nonstandard cassettes as they may damage the camcorder.

--> Do not use tapes that have been jammed as video heads may become dirty.

--> Do not insert anything into the small holes of the cassette, or cover them with cellophane tape.

--> Handle cassettes with care. Do not drop or subject them to severe impact as this may damage the cassettes.

--> Rewind tapes from time to time if they are stored for a long time.

--> With cassettes equipped with a memory function, metal plated terminals may become dirty with use and the cassette's memory function may not work properly. Clean the terminals with a cotton swab after about 20 times of loading/unloading.
-----------------------------------
That's pretty strict stuff, I mean rewinding and removing from the camcorder and storing upright. So far, that's what I'm doing.

 

[Zepper]

DVDs and CDs should preferably be stored vertically for the same reason that vinyl records should be stored vertically. Gravity will tend to warp the disk toward the earth over time. Unless you are so AR as to remember to turn your stacks of disks over periodically, then store them vertically. No temp or humidity extremes.

.bh.

where's the :sun: ?

 

[Psych]

Don't put any pressure on the DVD (especially the data layer, although the material on the label side is also only a mm thick so be careful) and store it in a cool, dry place inside of something that is non-abrasive and won't let the disc shift. Try not to have bare discs touching each other unless they won't shift, like when it is on the original spindle for big packs. Don't use overly abrasive, acidic, or adhesive chemicals on the discs, not even permanent marker!

Doing all this might actually make them survive as long as the manufacturers want you to believe.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Zepper
DVDs and CDs should preferably be stored vertically for the same reason that vinyl records should be stored vertically. Gravity will tend to warp the disk toward the earth over time. Unless you are so AR as to remember to turn your stacks of disks over periodically, then store them vertically. No temp or humidity extremes.

.bh.

where's the :sun: ?

Yep, I guess it may be better vertically than horizontally even for DVDs and CDs. I saw in my DVD player's manual yesterday (Momitsu V880 deck), that they recommend storing vertically. I do wonder, however, if this is a wive's tale/conjecture unsupported by evidence.