radial cracks in DVDs

[AlanHK]

Some of my burnt DVDs have developed radial cracks, starting in the central hole. So far the cracks are just a few mm long and the discs seem still playable. Obviously I'm concerned that they will become unplayable, if not shatter into a million pieces in the drive.

The DVDs are Taiyo Yuden, so I don't think it's DVD QC.

I think it's due to some media boxes I use. These hold 4 discs, are plastic and the hub flanges are pretty rigid -- not the soft, springy button type in others.

It takes a little push to get the DVDs to fit, but I thought nothing of it. I notice that CDs in the same boxes seem fine. So obviously I won't be using these boxes any more. Has anyone else had similar problems? Are CDs and DVDs exactly the same physical size -- in the hub diameter particularly?

I suppose the zip-up "photo album" book type of holder are the safest storage, short of retail-style single-DVD boxes (which I don't have room for).

[Marvingj]

Thats a very sad story,

[videobread]

If you have printed on the DVD's it might be the ink cracking. I've had that happen when I burnt DVD's that were just printed. The ink is not dry and the spinning during the burning process dries the ink too fast and causes cracking. I've learned to always burn before I print.

[CobraPilot]

If you need to preserve a disc with radial cracks that haven't gone into the playable area, and you can't simply copy it, you might borrow a technique from aviation:

When an unpressurized aircraft develops a crack in its plexiglas, repair personnel will often use the "stop drill" technique. They locate the end of the crack and drill a small hole at that point. That reduces the pressure that started the crack in the first place and often stops further cracking.

Granted, aviation maintenance is concerned about much larger cracks, and this technique would require a VERY small drill bit. You would certainly need to consider the resulting plastic dust and would probably drill only from the label side.

You might also accomplish the same thing by heating a small-diameter needle and using that instead of a drill bit to melt a hole (and avoid drill dust), but either way you're looking at some very exacting repairs that might do even more damage.

[AlanHK]

Thanks for comments, but these disc have no printing on them.
I'm pretty certain the cracking is due to pressure from the tight plastic hub.

And they're still playable so no need for boring holes to copy them (so far).

It was just something I wondered if anyone else had noticed.

[redwudz]

Cracks on a DVD that you need to play to backup might be the only reason I can think to recommend paper labels. It just might hold them together.

[guns1inger]

I have cracks on originals caused by the same problem (that, and my wife pulling them out while holding the case in her hand, instead of putting them down on the table). Eventually they will stop playing. I would back them up before they stop working.

[lordsmurf]

Pressure from cases and wallets is a common problem. Avoid cases that put any undue pressure on media. You should never fill a wallet for this reason. Cheap cases have pressure, better ones do not.

[guns1inger]

The only cases that ever caused this type of damage were on the commercial imports from the US. Thankfully the design in question never made it's way across to our local releases.