Snowmaker

This came up in another thread, but enough other people said they do it too, so I thought I'd give it its own thread.

All of my DVDs that come in digi-paks or boxsets still have the shrink-wrap on them to protect the packaging or cardboard. I just slice the end of the plastic open with a boxknife blade so I can get the disks out.

So, my LOTR: EEs, Star Wars Trilogy, Fight Club, Pulp Fiction, first two Harry Potters, etc., all still have shrink-wrap on them.

Who else?

gutwrencher

used to with all my vinyl LP's....but not with dvds. looks a little tacky. I go one step better....and use plastic, resealable sleeves for added protection. my library looks very loved and this explains why my entire collection is in mint shape. these can be ordered on-line for about 6 cents each. I also have a buddy custom make a few for the oversized titles. I have over 1,400 protected now....am still working on the rest.

Snowmaker

I'd like to see a picture of that. I'm picturing a bunch of DVDs in Ziploc bags.

Cameron

pic? Just want to see 1400 wrapped dvds

i agree this is the best way to protect the digi's...a good investment

gutwrencher

hell, I don't even own a camera...just never seem to grab one. you may want to search for last years NY Times interview thread that I started. they came and took a few pics of the library for the paper, although the one they used was just before I started finally encasing them in the sleeves.

it looks much better than that, trust me.

Altimus Prime

I tend to keep packaging for some things, but it never even occured to me to keep shrinkwrap.

ruk

i do the exact same thing for my box sets and i though i was the only one.

NavinJohnson

Are these sleeves acid free like the ones they make for comics?

I'm considering practicing safe DVD collecting.

InnocentBlood

you're not the only one

DrGerbil

I kept my STGP LE in wrapping, allowing access to the contents, but preventing the case from getting damaged.

cactusoly

I try to keep mine in the shrink wrap, but most of the time I rip it more than I want to, so I end up taking it off anyway.

ScottsDvds

I keep the wrap on my laserdiscs, but not on my DVDs.

The Valeyard

I've never done this until recently. A couple of years ago, I ordered the R3 Gamera Box Set used from Japan and it came with the shrink-wrap still on the whole of the box (leaving the space open for the DVDs to come out). I thought it was weird at first then thought "I really don't want this box damaged" because it was so damn cool.

Then I got the Definitive Twilight Zone box set and loved the way the outside box looked (The holographic look). I decided to not unwrap that portion to protect it (hopefully). Besides, there's the box within the box to hold the DVDs so if I want to see it unwrapped, I can always pull it out.

Andrew

Dabaomb

I do the same thing. My box sets & digipacks all have the shrinkwrap still on them. It's an extra layer of protection and will at least prevent dust if nothing else.

roger_d

i leave them on yes.

TomOpus

I remove the plastic.

MarkAtHome

Not a good idea leaving the shrink wrap on LPs as that will tend to cause some of them to warp. Best bet would be to get plastic sleeves that you can insert your LPs' packaging into that have enough room for movement. If interested, try a google search for "lp plastic sleeves" (sans quotes).

tali219

I also do keep the shrinkwrap.

kornboy

I do not keep the shrinkwrap on, well, I mean, I keep them sealed until I watch them if thats what you mean?

taa455

I rip it and trash it.

trammel

I keep the shrinkwrap on all of my boxed sets and digipacks too.

It's nice to hear I am not alone.

sxwxs

i do it too!

matome

Yep, I always purchased the plastic laserdisc sleeves from Ken Crane's back in the day. The shrink wrap, well, shrinks over time and begins to put pressure on the cover and disc, bending the corners. I've seen this quite a few times on new laserdiscs which I've purchased from Ebay over the past few years. I actually look for used LD's more than new now for that reason.

MrE

As a former record collector i can say that shrink wrap continues to slowly shrink which it why it warped LPs. It will also eventually warp cardboard, labels, plastic, etc. I've bought older DVDs where the case plastic and label were "wavy" from this effect. Unless the shrink wrap is very loose, I'd advise you remove it and use acd-free plastic sleeves if you want additional protection.

Mike Lowrey

I don't know, without first seeing exactly what you guy's methods look like, this practice sounds kind of silly to me.

I'm also confused as to what you mean by keeping them on your digipacks. What sort of digipaks are you talking about? the 7-disc fold-out ones or what?