A lot of people own at least one DVD, and many own dozens of the discs! Considering the amount of money you invest in your DVDs, it''s no wonder you want to get the best performance from them. In order to ensure that your DVDs perform at peak levels at all times, it is important to learn about proper DVD care.
There are several easy steps you can take to protect your DVDs, such as storing them on DVD racks and keeping them in their proper cases. Read on to learn all about DVD care and to get tips on DVD repair.
When it comes to storing your DVDs, the best idea is to use a DVD rack. These racks keep your DVDs safe and let you easily find a DVD when you want to watch a movie.
When using a DVD rack, you''ll want to keep it in an area of your house that has a fairly constant temperature and low humidity level. You''ll also want to keep it out of extreme temperatures, as heat and cold can be very damaging to a DVD. Most living rooms and bedrooms make good spots for DVD racks.
When using a DVD rack, make sure you store your DVDs in the rack vertically, not horizontally. DVD cases are intended to provide support from the center and might cave in if stacked horizontally. This can harm the DVD, causing it to bow and become unusable.
You should also always store your DVDs in their original cases. If you''ve lost these cases, you can buy jewel cases at a local electronics store and keep your DVDs in them. If you use jewel cases, pick ones that protect the DVD from light. Sunlight and even indoor lights can deteriorate DVDs.
When removing a DVD from its case, you should try to avoid touching the data side of the disc (the underside of the DVD) with your fingers, since fingerprints can cause read errors. Fingerprints are potentially more destructive then small scratches, as they can make the laser lose focus and intensity. When holding a DVD, insert your index finger through its center and place your thumb along its edge.
Like fingerprints, scratches can wreak havoc on the performance ability of your DVD. Scratches can be caused by a number of factors, including improper handling and improper usage. While all scratches can impact performance, scratches that run in the direction of the track are more harmful than scratches that run perpendicular to the track.
If your DVD has shallow scratches, you can buy a DVD repair kit from many electronics stores. These will help fill the scratches, making the DVD perform like new.
A lot of people like to create labels for their DVDs. While these labels often look nice, the materials in these labels can cause the DVD to lose data. Plus, if you don''t apply the label carefully, it can cause balance problems when you insert the DVD into the player.
If you must label a DVD, use a pen that is specifically designed for writing on DVDs. You can find these pens at many electronics stores. Remember to write only on the clear section of the disc''s hub.
If you leave your DVDs on your coffee table or on the kitchen counters, chances are, sooner or later, they will come into contact with water. Water can soak into the DVD layers, causing major damage.
If you spill anything on your DVD, follow these steps: