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Best Way To Store A Large DVD And Blu-Ray Collection

post #1 of 7
11/14/09 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
What's the best way to store a large DVD and Blu-Ray collection in the least amount of space? Keeping everything in their original cases isn't cutting it, especially since most studios don't have a clue about how to conserve space. (Why are studios still releasing DVDs in standard-size cases if they're not including a book inside? A slim case would be more appropriate.) I've been thinking aboout putting 1-2 disc sets in slim cases, and 3-6 disc sets in the standard size cases with one or two single or double sided pages inside and a disc on the front and/or back covers as seen here). These are the cases Paramount is using with some of their newest TV set releases (like Petticoat Junction Season 1) - assuming I can find a place that sells them.

With these cases I could retain most of the original artwork, but the big problem is that I'd have to cut everything up because they wouldn't fit in "as is" due to the larger spines in the original case liners. I don't really want to cut up the original liners, but I can't think of any other alternatives. Printing out new slim-size case art for all of my DVDs and Blu-Rays would waste a LOT of ink cartridges, and the quality wouldn't be good coming from an inkjet printer. I thought about disc binders, but I've never really cared for them, and I think it would be kinda annoying because I currently have my discs stored alphabetically separated by type (movies, tv, music, wrestling).

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've literally run out of room to store more DVDs and Blu-Rays, so this is a problem that I really need to address.
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post #2 of 7
11/14/09 at 9:34pm
Paul, I realize you indicated that you do not prefer disc binders, but I've moved my entire collection of DVD and Blu-ray to binders and it has made a huge difference in space requirements.  I tried slim cases and while it helped, it still took a lot of shelf space and boxes to hold everything.  Went to binders and now everything is neatly arranged in one location.  Resorting discs is a pain, but it helps if you have sheets that are removable.  Good luck.

- Walter.
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post #3 of 7
11/14/09 at 10:53pm
I originally purchased a 50 pack of standard size cases that hold 4 disks a piece for storing TV shows I capture that are not commercially available on DVD. What I ended up doing with many of them unexpectedly is exactly what you are talking about. I had many TV sets of 1 disk per standard case size. Where it seemed to make the most sense, I combined the disks into these new cases. Since the artwork is still the same size I used one out of every four to identify the new cases. You can get dual slim cases to replace your singular disk slim cases so again you can use the same art work. I put all the extra cases and art work no longer needed into boxes for storage (just in case I decide to sell some day).  It is always a good idea to keep the cases and art work just in case you ever do want to part with any. From a used market standpoint the art work is very important. Even if it means storing them in the actic.

This by no means is going to compare with the binder approach but it opened up a couple of shelves for me which was all I needed to make new purchases.
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post #4 of 7
11/16/09 at 10:42am
Hey Paul:

HERE'S A THREAD (34 pages worth!) on that very subject.  It contains a huge conversation on that subject.  There are advocates for binders, slimcases (scan/shrink artwork vs. cut artwork to fit cases), and all sorts of other options.

I have long purchased slim cases and doubled the capacity of my shelves.  I have also curtailed my purchases as a way to control my space issues.  It is, admittedly, a time-consuming venture (as I suppose binders would be).  It requires you to be a much more active participant with your collection. 

Oh.  There are also discussions in the thread on the use of software like DVD Profiler to help with the organization of big collections. 

Hope some of that is a help.
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post #5 of 7
11/17/09 at 2:53pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies.

Walter -  I've actually never seen disc binders with removable pages.  The few disc binders I have (which I don't use - they're sitting in a box) have the pages permenently inside the binder.  I may have to look for the removable kind.  Are the special-size binders with special-size pages, or are there disc pages for standard 8.5x11-type binders?  Now you have me thinking about maybe going that route.

Mike - I have to check out that thread when I have a little more time.  34 pages is a heck of a lot to read right now :-)
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post #6 of 7
11/17/09 at 3:37pm


Quote:
Originally Posted by spookcentral View Post

Mike - I have to check out that thread when I have a little more time.  34 pages is a heck of a lot to read right now :-)

Paul:  Don't be overwhelmed by the beast.  You could probably skip the first ten pages or so of the thread.  That's when the debates over the best way's to downsize really seem to take hold.  And, as I've just been looking back over it, it's pretty light reading with lots of extraneous discussion about where to roder cases from, etc. 

Many of the pix of people's handiwork seem to have made it in the recent software transition! 

Here's a couple of my shots (from page 17) showing how my slimmed-down cases look (back in 2004!):




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post #7 of 7
11/17/09 at 4:13pm
Paul,

I've seen two types of removable page binders (at Fry's) in an 8.5x11 configuration with sleeves for four discs on each side of the page.  

Type one is a standard three ring binder which I've used but don't really recommend because the pages can tear since there is so little material between the binder hole and the inside margin of the page and the binder tends to come open unexpectedly if too much pressure is applied to the pages while flipping them.

Type two is a Case Logic binder that has two large straps that hold the pages (with a slot in each page that provides much more surface area for the hole in the page and consequently no tearing) in place.  You unlock the straps via a mechanism on the spine of the binder and the pages may be removed.  Much better, IMHO.

Once again good luck with whatever solution you pursue.

- Walter...


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