Spindle + cases OR Disks in cases?

josh81 · 28th June 2006, 7:59 AM

I'm always checking out the prices of DVD-R's, for when i run out of my current 10 pack (70c a disk in case) and need to but more. I've been pondering which is the best way to go about it, buy a spindle and buy a pack of cases seperately, or buy the disks that come in cases?

I've never looked closely enough at all of the brands and deals on offer to determine which is the best way to go.

I'm transfering all my VHS tapes on to DVD-R so i can clear out the clutter, make it easy to find and navigate shows, and make it one step closer to an extinct VCR. So i'm looking at about 50 disks.

Which way is the most cost effective?

Sir Ghallahad · 28th June 2006, 8:11 AM

A spindle easily. But adding the cases as well im not sure.

The best thing is to just buy a disk folder that holds 24+ disks.

leighzor · 28th June 2006, 2:22 PM

Do what i did, buy cheap spindle (i got one cheap of a friend which had like 90dvds) then go to ebay and buy a big box of DVD double disk cases

got 100 in a big box for 20 bux or somethin cant really remember

buy bulk ftw

W.G.A.F · 28th June 2006, 5:04 PM

Don't buy cheap media, period!. It will only bite you at a later date and your savings are lost and possibly your data as well. Most certainly you'll have to reburn cheap discs much sooner than if you had bought decent branded media such as Taiyo Uden or Verbatim in the first place.

Buy in bulk spindles wherever possible as you save money. You're also less likely to suffer from continual variations in batch quality as you will if you buy small lots.

Keep the burnt discs out of any light when not in use. Thus solid colour rather than clear cases are better for storing such media. If you want the best cases money can buy then use Amaray as Chris suggested, but don't automatically discount using other cheaper cases as there are some very good designed ones also. Look at the fixing method. You don't want cases that fight you to remove the disc or prevent you from removing smoothly without touching media surface.

I'm not a fan of "disc folders" or DJ style aluminum boxes. IMO They are fine for CD's either burnt or pressed but NOT burnt DVD's. The insertion and extraction from plastic pockets introduces scratches (however careful you are) to the disc, to which burnt DVD's are far less forgiving of than CD-R's. They also do not allow easy removal without touching data side of disc (contamination) which should be avoided wherever possible.

W.G.A.F · 29th June 2006, 4:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Nolan

I've used lots of different clasp designs and Amaray is the best. For the price the Amaray cases in bulk from www.pcx.com.au are a great deal.

I've come across a few designs too in my time of collecting DVD's and participation in related forums since DVD was first introduced.

"Is the best" is a personal opinion/choice and not one universally shared by all.
They're undoubtedly the most popular and preferred/respected case today and overall a large part of my collection is now in Amarays whether they came originally in them or not, so I have much respect for Amaray. However, the clasp is not my favourite design.

Pic below is of my favourite clasp design which I wish DVD distributors used more often.

Click to view full-sized image!
Hosted by UGBox Image Store

It's known as the M-Lock Locking mechanism. It's less common to find than more conventional type hub locking mechanisms and the cases I've seen it in vary immensley in quality in other aspects, more the pity, as IMO It's the easiest clasp design to use and it's very gentle on a disc. Nothing will shake the disc loose once locked. Nor, do discs rattle or rotate/spin on the clasp which I hate.

Another pic of M-Lock clasp
Here

josh81 · 29th June 2006, 4:33 AM

Ok, some good advice there, although i am certainly not looking for the best. For some stuff i will want to keep, but other stuff, mostly for my mum, is just old shows she hasn't watched 'cause she's a hoarder. Like dozens of jamie oliver cooking shows, movie shows, doco's, movies etc.
So the disks aren't going to be constantly used, and handled and taken out of pockets/cases.
I'd rather spend less money on good light reflecting cases or whatever they do, and just keep the disks in a draw. But good tip anyhow.

I'm probably going to buy the cheapest stuff, or just above it for something a bit better. Are there any cheapo disks i should stay away from? (other than "all of them"). I buy Verbatim DVD-RW's, and they're pretty well priced, so i may get them 'cause they're good value. But with DVD-R's i find there are a lot more chepo brands on the market. I'm thinking Laser, Strathfield type stuff. And Electronis Boutique have some spindles for 25-50% off, not sure what brand they are.

I am aware of bad case designs, with disk holders that hold on to the disk too well. The first 2 seasons of scrubs have really bad disk holding mechanisms, and i one of the disks is now not working properly, which i believe is a result of disk bending when trying to get it out. Series 3 is different, they've obviuosly learnt the error of their ways.

I do like the idea from Sir Ghallahad about a disk holding folder, one with fabric sleeves.

The Amaray cases are $45 for 100 pack, which is pretty expensive. And others are 80-60c each. Considering i paid $7 for a 10 pack of DVD-R's with cases last time, this is not my budget.
Also, most of the cases look like they're DVD video size/shape (rectangle), as opposed to most square cases, which i prefer (square).
So Amaray are out if i did buy cases.

Regarding the clear cases letting light through onto the disk, are you talking about the ones that are completely clear both sides, or the clear front ones as well? The light hitting the label side of the disk wont do much/any damage will it?

Anyways, buying tomorrow, the disks at least.

josh81 · 29th June 2006, 4:43 AM

Interesting clasp WGAF. Curious to see it in action.

I like the clasps on the Verbatim DVD-RW's, and on series 3 of scrubs

. It's not like most DVD movies with the pop up style, it's more gentle releasing, and it doesn't spin as far as i can recall.

Reaper · 29th June 2006, 1:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W.G.A.F

I'm not a fan of "disc folders" or DJ style aluminum boxes. IMO They are fine for CD's either burnt or pressed but NOT burnt DVD's. The insertion and extraction from plastic pockets introduces scratches (however careful you are) to the disc, to which burnt DVD's are far less forgiving of than CD-R's. They also do not allow easy removal without touching data side of disc (contamination) which should be avoided wherever possible.

Aside from that, you'll also find that those things will actually cause disks to be bent/warped as well when you fill them up as they don't allow enough expansion room and the whole thing becomes concaved, and over time you have a bent disk that's now useless no matter how good the surface is. Just ask my mate who made that mistake of buying about 5 of those mega ones who now has a bunch of bent disks.

It seemd to affect every one that was packed full about 3-5 levels (sleeves) deep on both sides. For long term bulk storage, I'd prefer just to stack them all back on the spindle for sure and put them in the cupboard with the original disk paper wrapper back around the spindle for extra light insulation.

As for cases, I like the ones where you have a disk on each side of the case when you open it. I'm not a fan of those ones that have the hinged disk insert as it tends to rest and move against the bottom 2nd disk (especially when you open the case). And unfortunatly it seems to be favored by the retailers for movie disks.

josh81 · 29th June 2006, 11:15 PM

Ok, i bought some today, first place i went was Office Works and i saw Verbatim 50pk, 8x, ink-jet printable, DVD-R, spindle for $25. It was much cheaper than anything else there, and i though that it wouldn't be cheaper anywhere else, but i rang JB-HIFI (free calls) and they had it for $27.

I couldn't believe the price for a quality brand. Plus the exact same thing in CD-R's was only a couple bucks cheaper.

I was shopping around for other stuff that day, so i stopped in at lots of stores to compare with my deal, and there was only one deal i found which may have been better than what i got, which was a BenQ 50pk, DVD-R, but with 16x. And it was also $25, reduced from $30 at Tandy.

I looked on the websites people suggested, but the cheapest was $18 per 50pk, but with shipping it was $30, so not really good value then.

As for cases, i remembered that my mum bought a 50 pack of dual sleeve (100 disks) disk protective holders, made of plastic and the fabric material, so for the moment i'll just use those, but the warped disks scares me a bit.

hozozco · 3rd July 2006, 11:15 AM

I generally buy cheap media, most of what I burn only needs to last a few months/years anyway. A lot of stuff I end up giving to friends (or selling - one chocolate frog per disc). So I buy in spindles. I keep most of my stuff in a 240 disc holder and for my friends I make holders using this handy online service:

http://papercdcase.com/

That way they can get their own case if they want one!

josh81 · 30th July 2006, 12:37 AM

I was back at Office Works this week, and i was walking through the store and i saw a special on the same Verbatim disks i had bought a few weeks ago. But the price was $35.

And i thought, that's $10 more than what i paid, and it's on special.

So i went to the disk section to check the non-sale price, and it was $44.95!!!

Office Works had the same 8x 50pk of DVD-R's for $25, and now they were $45, 3 weeks later.

I couldn't believe it, what a rip. Or what a bargain, depends on how you look at it. I think a little of both, $35 is probably a pretty acurate price for Verbatims place within the market.

OPP · 30th July 2006, 2:44 AM

yea never get cheap media. I got BenQs because they were cheap, 14/50 worked, I hate it when dvds/cd don't burn!!

I got 240 TDK dvds from ebay for $100 delivered. Giong from an online DVD guide the TDKs were up classed up there with the Taiyos etc . The BenQs that I had were listed in the worst catagory with a 0-15% burn rate.

So go spindles, and buy cases if you want the best I'd say. I use spindles/cd wallets but now I'm paranoid after reading this, those cd wallets do get really bent...

EDIT: Sorry big mistake, its 220 DVDS for $100, NOT 240! For some reason I thought each spindle had 100

OPP · 30th July 2006, 12:58 PM

http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayI...:feedback:1:au

seems he's no longer a member for some strange reason, he had good stats. I bought 4 world cup tins which had 60 each, so 240 all up. (mistake on my previous post)

josh81 · 31st July 2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPP

I got BenQs because they were cheap, 14/50 worked, I hate it when dvds/cd don't burn!!
The BenQs that I had were listed in the worst catagory with a 0-15% burn rate.

Well i'm glad i didn't come across the BenQ 16x 50pk first, otherwise i probably would have bought them over the verbatims, 'cause they were the same price, but they were 16x over the Verbatims 8x.

I'm suprised, 'cause BenQ make some burners, and they're not really a cheap brand overall, so i would think the disks would be A-ok.

Gus the Mus · 31st July 2006, 1:32 AM

What I normally get it a spindle of 50 Verbatim with the inkjet printable surface for $30. I've had no real problems with these. Only problems I've had is burning at full speed with my laptop burner. It's failed burns near the end several times at full speed whereas the LG & Pioneer burners in my desktop box both have no problem at full speed with these discs. So basically, although discs make a difference, it also depends on the burner.

28th June 2006, 7:59 AM	#1
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,539	Spindle + cases OR Disks in cases? I'm always checking out the prices of DVD-R's, for when i run out of my current 10 pack (70c a disk in case) and need to but more. I've been pondering which is the best way to go about it, buy a spindle and buy a pack of cases seperately, or buy the disks that come in cases? I've never looked closely enough at all of the brands and deals on offer to determine which is the best way to go. I'm transfering all my VHS tapes on to DVD-R so i can clear out the clutter, make it easy to find and navigate shows, and make it one step closer to an extinct VCR. So i'm looking at about 50 disks. Which way is the most cost effective?

28th June 2006, 2:22 PM	#3
leighzor Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Melb Posts: 1,440	Do what i did, buy cheap spindle (i got one cheap of a friend which had like 90dvds) then go to ebay and buy a big box of DVD double disk cases got 100 in a big box for 20 bux or somethin cant really remember buy bulk ftw __________________ Core i7 920\|2x HD5850 Crossfire\|GB EX58-UD3R\|10TB Of Storage\|Corsair H50 Watercooling G-Skill DDR3 3x2GB 1600 NQ\|Corsair HX850W\|Antec 1200\|32" Samsung + 2x 22" LGs\|Logitech G15 v1 & G5 v2 Trades: $Thousands Buy & Sold

3rd July 2006, 11:15 AM	#10
hozozco Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 6	Really, Really Cheap Holders I generally buy cheap media, most of what I burn only needs to last a few months/years anyway. A lot of stuff I end up giving to friends (or selling - one chocolate frog per disc). So I buy in spindles. I keep most of my stuff in a 240 disc holder and for my friends I make holders using this handy online service: http://papercdcase.com/ That way they can get their own case if they want one! __________________ RN, B.Ng., B.Ed., Cert. IV I.T.

30th July 2006, 2:44 AM	#12
OPP Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,873	yea never get cheap media. I got BenQs because they were cheap, 14/50 worked, I hate it when dvds/cd don't burn!! I got 240 TDK dvds from ebay for $100 delivered. Giong from an online DVD guide the TDKs were up classed up there with the Taiyos etc . The BenQs that I had were listed in the worst catagory with a 0-15% burn rate. So go spindles, and buy cases if you want the best I'd say. I use spindles/cd wallets but now I'm paranoid after reading this, those cd wallets do get really bent... EDIT: Sorry big mistake, its 220 DVDS for $100, NOT 240! For some reason I thought each spindle had 100 Last edited by OPP; 30th July 2006 at 12:58 PM.

31st July 2006, 1:32 AM	#15
Gus the Mus Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne 3805 Posts: 858	What I normally get it a spindle of 50 Verbatim with the inkjet printable surface for $30. I've had no real problems with these. Only problems I've had is burning at full speed with my laptop burner. It's failed burns near the end several times at full speed whereas the LG & Pioneer burners in my desktop box both have no problem at full speed with these discs. So basically, although discs make a difference, it also depends on the burner. __________________ Over 20 Million Folding@Home Points for OCAU!

28th June 2006, 8:11 AM	#2
Sir Ghallahad Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 5,693	A spindle easily. But adding the cases as well im not sure. The best thing is to just buy a disk folder that holds 24+ disks.

28th June 2006, 5:04 PM	#4
W.G.A.F (Taking a Break) Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 584	Don't buy cheap media, period!. It will only bite you at a later date and your savings are lost and possibly your data as well. Most certainly you'll have to reburn cheap discs much sooner than if you had bought decent branded media such as Taiyo Uden or Verbatim in the first place. Buy in bulk spindles wherever possible as you save money. You're also less likely to suffer from continual variations in batch quality as you will if you buy small lots. Keep the burnt discs out of any light when not in use. Thus solid colour rather than clear cases are better for storing such media. If you want the best cases money can buy then use Amaray as Chris suggested, but don't automatically discount using other cheaper cases as there are some very good designed ones also. Look at the fixing method. You don't want cases that fight you to remove the disc or prevent you from removing smoothly without touching media surface. I'm not a fan of "disc folders" or DJ style aluminum boxes. IMO They are fine for CD's either burnt or pressed but NOT burnt DVD's. The insertion and extraction from plastic pockets introduces scratches (however careful you are) to the disc, to which burnt DVD's are far less forgiving of than CD-R's. They also do not allow easy removal without touching data side of disc (contamination) which should be avoided wherever possible.

29th June 2006, 4:33 AM	#6
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,539	Ok, some good advice there, although i am certainly not looking for the best. For some stuff i will want to keep, but other stuff, mostly for my mum, is just old shows she hasn't watched 'cause she's a hoarder. Like dozens of jamie oliver cooking shows, movie shows, doco's, movies etc. So the disks aren't going to be constantly used, and handled and taken out of pockets/cases. I'd rather spend less money on good light reflecting cases or whatever they do, and just keep the disks in a draw. But good tip anyhow. I'm probably going to buy the cheapest stuff, or just above it for something a bit better. Are there any cheapo disks i should stay away from? (other than "all of them"). I buy Verbatim DVD-RW's, and they're pretty well priced, so i may get them 'cause they're good value. But with DVD-R's i find there are a lot more chepo brands on the market. I'm thinking Laser, Strathfield type stuff. And Electronis Boutique have some spindles for 25-50% off, not sure what brand they are. I am aware of bad case designs, with disk holders that hold on to the disk too well. The first 2 seasons of scrubs have really bad disk holding mechanisms, and i one of the disks is now not working properly, which i believe is a result of disk bending when trying to get it out. Series 3 is different, they've obviuosly learnt the error of their ways. I do like the idea from Sir Ghallahad about a disk holding folder, one with fabric sleeves. The Amaray cases are $45 for 100 pack, which is pretty expensive. And others are 80-60c each. Considering i paid $7 for a 10 pack of DVD-R's with cases last time, this is not my budget. Also, most of the cases look like they're DVD video size/shape (rectangle), as opposed to most square cases, which i prefer (square). So Amaray are out if i did buy cases. Regarding the clear cases letting light through onto the disk, are you talking about the ones that are completely clear both sides, or the clear front ones as well? The light hitting the label side of the disk wont do much/any damage will it? Anyways, buying tomorrow, the disks at least.

29th June 2006, 4:43 AM	#7
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,539	Interesting clasp WGAF. Curious to see it in action. I like the clasps on the Verbatim DVD-RW's, and on series 3 of scrubs . It's not like most DVD movies with the pop up style, it's more gentle releasing, and it doesn't spin as far as i can recall.

29th June 2006, 11:15 PM	#9
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,539	Ok, i bought some today, first place i went was Office Works and i saw Verbatim 50pk, 8x, ink-jet printable, DVD-R, spindle for $25. It was much cheaper than anything else there, and i though that it wouldn't be cheaper anywhere else, but i rang JB-HIFI (free calls) and they had it for $27. I couldn't believe the price for a quality brand. Plus the exact same thing in CD-R's was only a couple bucks cheaper. I was shopping around for other stuff that day, so i stopped in at lots of stores to compare with my deal, and there was only one deal i found which may have been better than what i got, which was a BenQ 50pk, DVD-R, but with 16x. And it was also $25, reduced from $30 at Tandy. I looked on the websites people suggested, but the cheapest was $18 per 50pk, but with shipping it was $30, so not really good value then. As for cases, i remembered that my mum bought a 50 pack of dual sleeve (100 disks) disk protective holders, made of plastic and the fabric material, so for the moment i'll just use those, but the warped disks scares me a bit.

30th July 2006, 12:37 AM	#11
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,539	I was back at Office Works this week, and i was walking through the store and i saw a special on the same Verbatim disks i had bought a few weeks ago. But the price was $35. And i thought, that's $10 more than what i paid, and it's on special. So i went to the disk section to check the non-sale price, and it was $44.95!!! Office Works had the same 8x 50pk of DVD-R's for $25, and now they were $45, 3 weeks later. I couldn't believe it, what a rip. Or what a bargain, depends on how you look at it. I think a little of both, $35 is probably a pretty acurate price for Verbatims place within the market.

30th July 2006, 12:58 PM	#13
OPP Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,873	http://feedback.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayI...:feedback:1:au seems he's no longer a member for some strange reason, he had good stats. I bought 4 world cup tins which had 60 each, so 240 all up. (mistake on my previous post)