Handling CDs, Blu-rays, and other media discs with care is crucial for preserving their functionality and ensuring their longevity. Mistakes made during handling can lead to scratches, data loss, and decreased performance.
Here are some dos and don’ts to help beginners and seasoned users alike maintain their media in top condition:
1. Touch the working surface of the CD with your fingers
Stained discs, CDs with “fingers” are a problem for any optical disc player (the laser beam ideally reads data only from a clean surface). In addition, stains and greasy stains on the working surface of the disc adversely affect the durability of the polycarbonate layer that covers the disc. There is only one rule here – you can only remove the disc from the box and put it back in by holding the edges and center of the media.
Solution – we take the disk only by holding it by the edges and center, without touching the work surface
2. Leave discs on the table or sofa without a box
This approach is guaranteed to lead to scratching the working surface of the disk and causing it to become dusty. It is necessary to remove the media from the case only while it is being played.
Solution: We always put the discs in the case after playing.
3. Place the disc in the player tray, touching the edges
If you touch the edges of the tray when inserting a CD into the player tray, scratches may appear on the disc. Likewise, when using a slot loader, the CD must be inserted exactly perpendicular to the slot in the slot.
Solution: put the disc into the receiver carefully
4. Store CDs in bright sun
Heating the disk or placing it under the scorching sun will definitely lead to degradation. You should never leave a CD for a long time in very hot rooms, such as a sauna.
The solution is to place the collection in a closed closet in an ordinary room.
5. Stack discs
If stored for a long time in this storage format, the geometry of the disks may be disrupted. Therefore, it is recommended to orient compacts strictly vertically when storing them, placing them in boxes on shelves in a closet.
Solution – orient the boxes vertically
6. Wipe discs with fluffy cloths
A common situation is that you noticed stains on the working surface of a CD and wiped the media with a cloth that was at hand. And then it became clear that the disk was now scratched. In order to avoid this, you must use only special wipes for wiping.
Solution: if necessary, use special soft wipes for cleaning
7. Close the player tray not with a key, but with your fingers
This method may seem visually impressive, but it adversely affects the mechanics of the CD player and can lead to cosmetic damage to the disc. It is best to use the keys on the front panel of the machine or on the remote control.
Solution – we comply with the requirements of the instructions for the equipment
8. Install the compact on the box spindle with great force
A very important point! Sometimes it happens that the inner insert in the disc case turns out to be very hard. If you constantly put a compact on it and remove it with great effort, the central hole on the CD will become loose – this approach will not lead to anything good. It is best to buy spare disc boxes and simply replace too hard inserts with standard ones.
Solution – change the liner in the box if the standard mount is very rigid
9. Transport discs in boxes with broken holders
If the CD dangles in the box during transportation, its working surface may be scratched and damaged. To avoid this moment, before transporting it is better to make sure that the media is securely fastened in the case.
Solution – before transportation, we check the reliability of the disk fastening
10. Label the CD
If it is absolutely necessary to mark the collection (which is also not recommended – this will reduce the collectible value of the CD), it is better to do this on a case or insert. It is better not to put inscriptions on the disc itself.
Solution – do not contaminate the outer surface of the disk
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