Tips around CDs and DVDs
For lasting audio-visual pleasure
The fact that the CD has more or less confined black vinyl records to the dustbin of sound-media history since it was introduced around twenty years ago is as much down to its practical, robust format as its perfect sound. There are however a couple of points to remember when using CDs and DVDs if you want to make sure that the audio-visual pleasure remains unimpaired. To this end, here are a few tips from disc manufacturers:
Pretty obvious, huh?
- After playing, a CD or DVD should be returned to its case. Avoid leaving discs lying out in the open for long periods. The dust that collects can lead to scratches later. It’s a particularly bad idea to pile discs on top of one another without their cases. This causes them to rub against one another, causing dust to act like emery paper.
- Do not leave CDs or DVDs on heaters, or on car dashboards or consoles which are in direct sunlight, since they can be deformed by the heat.
- Brand products offer greater protection for data than blank CDs from bargain retailers.
But did you also know …
- that marker pens and labels contain solvents which can damage CDs and DVDs? Therefore only special products should be used to write on them and label them.
- that the sensitive data layer on the CD is not on the back side, but is located directly beneath the coated, printed front side? So don’t use a ballpoint pen to write a description on them, because this penetrates too far into the surface.
- that they shouldn’t be cleaned by rubbing with a dry cloth – however soft it is? Instead, a few drops of mild detergent should be applied to the surface of the disc then washed off using lukewarm water. Then, let the water drip off and dab the disc dry with a cloth.
- that it’s harder for the laser to read the data when it has to travel through fingerprints. Therefore, to avoid touching the CD surface, hold it with one finger in the hole in the center and another at the outer edge.
