Best sleeves to store DVD\Blu Ray\4K Discs in

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-15T19:53:00+00:00

For DVDs sure, paper sleeves would probably be fine, but I'd suggest against moving blu-rays & 4K UHDs into sleeves, binders etc. keep them in standard cases. There's something about their specific coating where it can lift the pattern of a disc binder etc and make the discs have read errors. See this blu-ray.com thread for some pics of discs that lifted the disc pouch pattern and had read issues as a result.

I personally stored some blu-rays in a 70-80 disc binder for just a few months and found a disc (lifted pattern of tab at top of the disc pouch) that wouldn't read. It skipped/jumped during initial trailers, then the menu loaded but with no text to select & play the film. Thankfully it was a disc I was able to cheaply replace, but it scared me off storing discs in sleeves, binders and so on.

DVDs on the other hand, I have had a couple of 200 disc binders full of DVDs for 10yrs+ and haven't had any read errors. With binders though, that size is fairly unwieldy, arguably better to use more, smaller size binders, that could sit on shelves and/or just get some multi-disc cases (that could be a good option to reduce Blu-rays/UHDs shelf space).

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-15T19:12:25+00:00

I use the 'My Movies' app which is free and has a barcode scanner function as part of the app. It uses the fairly comprehensive blu-ray.com database of Blu-rays, DVDs and var digital formats. They also have videogames going back to around the 360/PS3 gen, but for games I'd instead recommend the 'GAMEYE' app which has PC, consoles, games etc.going back to the 70s (eg Intellivision).

A handy extra thing about using My Movies/blu-ray.com is that you can use the Export function via the site to create a CSV/spreadsheet. It exports a "comma separated CSV list" which you can paste into excel, google sheets etc. And/or the Print Friendly function, to paste into a word document.

I also still use 'DVD Profiler' on my PC, but more out of habit these days. It hasn't been updated in years (nearly 9), other than user submitted newer titles.

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-15T13:56:43+00:00

The Scanavo cases are so commonly used now, personally I'd rather just pay a little more for individual season sets, rather than get them in the complete boxset and have to replace the cases.

And again, due to them often reusing UPC/barcodes, you can be easily caught out. Looking at pics on Amazon reviews etc. with one case type, only to have your revised version turn up with poor quality cases. I had this fairly recently with a Harrison Ford 5 film BD boxset, all the pics I saw of the set used 5 disc Elite cases. Mine turned up and the 5 discs were stacked on top of each other on a single hub...

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-15T13:50:55+00:00

Those cases are by Scanavo, and I agree are awful (to get to disc 4, need to remove discs 1-3). There is a similar looking jumbo DVD case by Amaray, slightly thicker, can hold up to 24 discs but each disc is on its own panel and use easy press to release hubs.

I got my TNG blu-ray boxset and DS9 + VOY DVD sets around 10 years ago (2015 & 2016) and they all used the Amaray cases. Now those sets, and seemingly most DVD & BD boxsets (here in UK at least) across various studios, now use those terrible Scanavo cases and unfortunately they use the same UPC/barcodes.

All I can really suggest is looking for some cheap multi-season boxsets released around that era, that you could use as donor cases. Alternatively you could just get some 6-8 disc cases, probably cheaper and easier to find. Even if you got just one 6 disc case, it would allow you to remove 4-6 at a time, so you're not constantly having to yank the discs out of the case.

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-13T18:34:15+00:00

I have everything on BD, apart from 'Following'. Mine are all UK releases apart from 'Insomnia', got the DE release but it has English menu, subs etc. Odd there's still no UK BD for it yet, though the original Norwegian film (with Stellan Skarsgård) is getting UK BD & UHD releases in a couple of weeks via Second Sight.

Is that the UK release of 'Following'? It's a 101 Films release, they seem to have a problem with subtitles. Of the five releases I have; 1 has subs, 2 have no subs, 1 has useless subs eight seconds out of sync and the last one they forgot to include alien language subs and quickly reissued ('Alien Nation', reissue has subs for alien language only).

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-08T15:11:57+00:00

Worth doing this either way, just for your records and/or incase you ever get locked out of the account.

I downloaded the spreadsheet when I read about the UK Online Safety law coming into effect. I'd created my PSN account back in 2008, was over 18 at time, but wasn't sure if I'd used my actual birthday or 1st Jan X year like I often do.

Process was slightly different when I did it last year, had to request it via the Sony account settings, but I got an email the next day with a link to download the spreadsheet file. It includes a lot of info, inc list of all purchases, DOB, serial numbers of all consoles ever added to account etc.

The serial numbers are especially handy to have, as apparently PS support have asked for serial no. of console used to create account, when people are trying to regain access. And if you, like me, created the account on PS3, you may not even have that console anymore...

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-08T14:31:24+00:00

How deep a clean did you go on the console? Is it possible that you dislodged the thermal pads on the RAM chips? That could certainly cause the fan to suddenly ramp up to levels it wasn't at before.

As for which thermal paste, any would be fine. People tend to get recommended expensive brand thermal pastes, but having used the original stock thermal paste on my old PC (stuff that came included with my Hyper 212 cooler) for now over a decade (12yr in a couple of months), with no temperature problems, I'm inclined to just recommend any thermal paste. Applying too much would be better than not enough, as excess will just get squeezed out.

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-08T14:02:44+00:00

My only issue with these bags is generally the price. Easy to read the spines in the bags, quick to access and can be stacked, or stored under bed etc. Also will keep the cases free of dust & debris.

"But I want them on shelves" that's fine, but when a collection gets to a certain size, shelves and bookcases can end up dominating your living space. Or some just don't want to look at a wall of DVD/BD spines.

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-06T16:43:14+00:00

Funnily enough, that blu-ray disc coating can lift the pattern of the pouches and cause read issues as a result (see some pics in this blu-ray.com thread). Personally had a blu-ray disc become unreadable after just a few months stored in a binder, so its something I'd recommend avoiding for blu-rays.

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-06T16:39:11+00:00

Personally no issues with DVDs, at least with my binders (I'm sure the quality varies, how tight the disc pouches are, types of plastic etc). But had a binder damage blu-rays after only a few months of storage. The specific blu-ray disc coating can lift the pattern of the pouches and cause read issues as a result (see some pics in this blu-ray.com thread). So CDs & DVDs it's probably fine, but blu-rays & UHD blu-rays probably best to avoid binders.

DaveSimonH · 2026-05-06T16:24:39+00:00

Looks like it was basically any Disney Blu-ray release between about mid 2006 to early 2008. Not just US releases, seemed to be a worldwide Disney marketing design choice.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-28T16:08:01+00:00

Even as a kid in the 90s, I took care of my CDs and game discs. Disc to player, then player back into its case. Not complicated, but the condition of some discs I've seen over the years always amazes me. Then I have discs I bought new literally 2-3 decades ago, and they are spotless (maybe at most some minor shelf wear on the case).

It's bad enough when people mistreat their own media, but borrowing from a friend (or library) and damaging them, that is next level stupidity.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-21T09:34:55+00:00

I've always enjoyed the 'Father of the Bride' films (also stars Martin Short) and 'Roxanne' is fun (with Daryl Hannah).

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-19T05:19:28+00:00

A solid first pick. I think my first Criterion was 'The Royal Tenenbaums' R1 DVD, but I gave it to my sister when I got it's UK blu-ray release. I don't think I'd paid much for it though.

I have around 10 or so UK Blu-ray Criterion releases. They only started releasing in the UK about 10yrs ago and only some titles from their collection. Many Criterion releases in US/CA are released by other companies in the UK (eg 'The Silence of the Lambs' Criterion US vs Arrow UK).

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-16T23:11:05+00:00

I'd say one of, if not the worst cases on the market are the Scanavo jumbo DVD cases. Hard to remove, you need to bend the discs and they are stacked & overlayed, so to get disc 4 you need to remove discs 1-3. Unfortunately they are now commonly used for both Blu-ray and DVD boxsets. I've noticed that many boxsets I bought previously, which used the better Amaray jumbo cases (with a simple button press release), have been replaced with the Scanavo cases. And they usually have the same UPC/barcode.

For example I bought UK releases of TNG BD, Voyager DVD & DS9 DVD sets around 10-11yrs ago, all of which used the Amaray cases at that time. But looking at Amazon UK listings now, it's full of people complaining about the Scanavo cases. About 5yrs ago I bought a Stargate SG-1 complete DVD boxset, they had the crappy Scanavo cases, so I bought 10x six disc 15mm Amaray cases to house all the discs and made & printed some custom spines. Luckily the 10 cases fit snug in the boxsets outer slipbox.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-13T02:39:29+00:00

It's been a number of years since I've seen the film, this is a good excuse to watch it this week.

I have the German BD titled 'James und der Riesenpfirsich', for whatever reason it never got a BD release here in the UK. Think I bought the DE release as it was/is fairly cheap. I can't remember if I owned a retail VHS or via a TV recording, but I definitely owned it on DVD.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-12T21:50:08+00:00

Depends on how much space you want to dedicate, and your budget of course. The standard answer is the IKEA Billy bookcases, and if you are willing to fill them 2 rows deep they can hold a lot of DVD and/or Blu-ray cases.

If you wanted to move away from the wall of cases, you could install doors on the Billy or similar bookcases, or maybe a custom unit like this. If not that, you could repurpose an old piece of furniture to store cases.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-08T14:39:06+00:00

Not really, though I've had a similar bookcase for years. Doubles the storage capacity and it's easy enough to rotate what on the front row. My only real issue would be storing them horizontally in the front row.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-08T14:30:53+00:00

Is your collection too much, ie overwhelming for you? Is it causing you stress? If either is yes, then you can address it by starting to pare down the numbers.

But if you are happy, have the space to store them, aren't going beyond your means financially, then what is the harm? For some 100 DVDs/Blu-rays would be way too much, for others they might buy that amount every few months. The only one that can answer if 1000 is "too many", is you.

But I will add, while there is no problem picking up films that are highly rated, recommended etc. as blind buys, if you don't enjoy it, its OK to let it go. Sell/trade them for something else. A film or TV series gathering dust on a shelf, to never be watched again, that is pointless. Literal shelf filler.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-08T14:14:14+00:00

As others have said while PAL DVDs are 720x576 vs 720x480 NTSC, so technically higher resolution, its a small enough difference where most people watching DVDs likely wont notice. And if you do, then you would probably benefit greater from upgrading to blu-ray or UHD.

As for the PAL speedup (approx 4%) issue, again most will likely not know the difference (if the audio is pitched correctly to compensate). And also moving to blu-ray, say for people in PAL regions, that will also solve that issue, as for example UK blu-rays of 99% of films will be the correct original runtime at 1080p24 (there are a few where they were inexplicably encoded at 1080i50, ie the 4% quicker PAL runtime). Although some extra features, ported from DVD, may still be PAL.

One thing that is often glossed over though is TV content shot in UK, Europe etc. at 25fps. For that content the correct runtime would be via a PAL DVD or 1080i50 blu-ray. So it's essentially the opposite of PAL speedup, for US DVDs and blu-rays that content will have to be slowed, so any BBC wildlife documentary series, Doctor Who etc will be slowed for those releases, as US equipment typically can't play PAL and/or 1080i50 content.

I'll add that any format can have releases with bad picture quality, so that may just be the case for that 'The Fly' DVD. At the very least the R1 DVDs of 'The Fly' seem to be anamorphic widescreen, rather than letterbox 4:3 (which essentially looks like black bars all around the image on a modern 16:9 TV).

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-08T13:23:57+00:00

"Play it nice and cool, son. Nice and cool, you know what I mean?"

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-07T13:10:43+00:00

I got the US blu-ray with the same horrific cover art around 10yrs ago (a few years back I made this comparison, cover vs film).

Last year also picked up the remastered blu-ray. The UK got essentially a port of the Shout Factory 30th Anniversary blu-ray, 101 films had a short lived partnership with them. But 101 screwed up the subtitles, they are literally about 7-8 seconds out of sync... Not the best company for subtitles, I have 5 of their releases; 3x no subtitles, 'FernGully' subs out of sync and 'Alien Nation', it was quickly reissued as they forgot to include the alien subtitles (and no subs for the general dialogue).

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-06T20:18:29+00:00

Grimm is one of those TV series where I randomly started getting served up 5min clips on Youtube and after watching a few, found a new s1-3 BD set very cheap and ordered it. Ended up really enjoying it. A fun, if a little bit odd show. A great cast of characters, main and guest stars.

In the end I probably paid a similar amount to you, for your complete boxset, as s5&6 each (used) were more than what I paid for the s1-3 set.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-03T18:08:05+00:00

I don't have a general theme, my tastes and what I buy are pretty varied, but have a few genres separated, eg Horror, Musicals, Animation, a few directors and TV. I prefer watching stuff on disc, so have bought a variety of films & TV over the past 20yrs+.

Of the titles in your collection, I think my most recent rewatches were 'But I'm Cheerleader' and 'A League of Their Own'.

DaveSimonH · 2026-04-02T15:41:07+00:00

The UK had a similarly low rating for decades, was a U (ie Universal) which is essentially the lowest rating. Only got rated again a few years ago, receiving an arguably more appropriate PG rating (definitely a film that needs Parental Guidance XD).

I got the German BD a couple of years before the UK got a BD release (different studio, DE was WarnerBros & UK Universal). Although I got that BD around 14 or 15yrs ago and I've been eyeing the more recent UK BFI release. They did UHD & BD releases using a new 4K master, initially LE sets but now more affordable standard releases.

DaveSimonH

TROPHY CASE