Just wondering how many people are converting their collections to Thinpak (7mm). Seems like the popularity of Covers converted to Thinpak is increasing on r1db.com significantly as of recently. Personally I have converted most everything which I possibly can to Thinpak covers. When there is no Thinpak cover available I go ahead and download the regular (14 mm) cover and convert it to Thinpak myself. Of course it's not possible to do some of them - for example "Brazil", "Kingdom of Heaven - Director's Cut" and many more.
If you wonder what your collection would look like - here is a sample:
http://danwiz.com/Dec2005DVDCollection/2Shelves_ThinpaksRC.jpg
canaryfarmer
04-06-09, 07:13 PM
Not I. All of the dvd spine widths going -thin thin thin regular thin regular ultra-thick thin regular- would drive me nuts. It looks ultra-sloppy.
reverie
04-07-09, 12:22 PM
I don't think it's a stupid idea, but I don't intend to ever do it so that was my only poll choice.
milo bloom
04-07-09, 03:07 PM
I've done a handful here and there, it's easier to do it with discs purchased used and the cases are a bit scuffed or there's a broken hub. Makes it easier to slice off those few mm's off each side.
Not I. All of the dvd spine widths going -thin thin thin regular thin regular ultra-thick thin regular- would drive me nuts. It looks ultra-sloppy.
To me, that bridge was crossed way back as soon as DVD studios started using snappers and amarays, then the cardboard digipacks, then the multipacks, etc. The space I've saved putting titles in slim cases more than makes up for any discrepancy in looks. And once I get around to converting snappers to slims, then things will really look different (for the better).
jjcool
04-07-09, 07:40 PM
That last thread was about 5 years old. Glad you brought this up again OP.
I have my entire collection converted over to thinpak. Really the only things i didnt convert to thinner packaging were the special boxsets, the steelbooks, and the numbered anchor bay editions. This includes my copy of Brazil Criterion. When I first did it, it literally cut the size my collection takes up on the shelf in half.
neilo13
04-08-09, 02:53 PM
I am in the process of converting most of my collection to thin paks. I've opted for the folding part of the cover method. For 90% of the conversions done this way I have no problem still reading the titles.
After converting low value amarays I will probably try and track down some conversions for the snappers that I have. I haven't had much luck with finding them, I've tried r1db.com and replacethecase.com, does anyone have another good source for conversions?
In case anyone would like to know I've been ordering mine from shop4tech, someone posted that there was no folding/cutting necessary with the ones I ordered, but this is not true. I wish someone would manufacture slightly longer cases so that folding/cutting wasnt' necessary, but I guess that would end up looking worse than the snappers.
Lemmy
04-08-09, 04:50 PM
I'll never take a scissors to any of my DVD covers...and fold them? You must be shitting me, friend-o.
danwiz
04-08-09, 08:25 PM
Who said anything about scissors?? The original post is not so long that it's hard to read the entire thing. As I said in the OP, I download the cover art from r1db.com - even downloading the original scans where no thinpak artwork is available and then then converting that to Thinpak in PhotoShop. Anybody who looks at the picture I have included should obviously see that the titles nicely fill the 7 mm spine, which would indicate that the original covers are not being used. The original covers are all in the closet in a file folder.
And Lemmy, don't call me friend-o, I don't even know you.
jjcool
04-09-09, 03:45 PM
Who said anything about scissors?? The original post is not so long that it's hard to read the entire thing. As I said in the OP, I download the cover art from r1db.com - even downloading the original scans where no thinpak artwork is available and then then converting that to Thinpak in PhotoShop. Anybody who looks at the picture I have included should obviously see that the titles nicely fill the 7 mm spine, which would indicate that the original covers are not being used. The original covers are all in the closet in a file folder.
And Lemmy, don't call me friend-o, I don't even know you.
Yeah, I dont get how folding or cutting the covers is a valid option to anyone. With the wealth of dvd cover sites out there, such as r1db, it is so much easier to download a scan, or a conversion of the original cover, or some of the great custom covers out there. Literally every movie dvd, or movie collection, that is between 3 and 6 dvds is in a single width dvd case. The indiana jones collection that came in 4 cases, is now taking up one dvd case width on my sehlf. Same for the Star Wars OT, and the godfather collection. Original Dirty Harry collection that was 5 snappers is now in one standard amaray case. I am real surprised that more people dont do this.
hindolio
04-10-09, 03:35 AM
...I am real surprised that more people dont do this.
im actually surprised so many people do this lol. but if more and more people really did do this, sooner or later, im guessing studios would make all releases in thinpacks. give the people what they want right?
jjcool
04-10-09, 04:47 PM
im actually surprised so many people do this lol. but if more and more people really did do this, sooner or later, im guessing studios would make all releases in thinpacks. give the people what they want right?
We are slowly seeing studios do this. First, it was the repackage of titels like Independence day and the Abyss that were in double wide amarays that were rereleased in single width doubles. The x-files thinpacks. The angel and Buffy sets went from gatefolds, to thinpacks, to single width 6 disc cases. The Mash season sets went from double wides, to single width amarays as well.
hindolio
04-11-09, 04:11 AM
We are slowly seeing studios do this. First, it was the repackage of titels like Independence day and the Abyss that were in double wide amarays that were rereleased in single width doubles. The x-files thinpacks. The angel and Buffy sets went from gatefolds, to thinpacks, to single width 6 disc cases. The Mash season sets went from double wides, to single width amarays as well.
well, double-alpha cases to double amaray, i dont really count. i think alpha cases are kinda dying off anyway right? and the others you mention i think are collections. so lets not count them either.
i have seen those digital copies re-releases sold at retail in thinpacks though. thats a start i guess. i just dunno if ill personally ever be comfortable with them meh.
Lemmy
04-11-09, 06:02 PM
Who said anything about scissors?? The original post is not so long that it's hard to read the entire thing. As I said in the OP, I download the cover art from r1db.com - even downloading the original scans where no thinpak artwork is available and then then converting that to Thinpak in PhotoShop. Anybody who looks at the picture I have included should obviously see that the titles nicely fill the 7 mm spine, which would indicate that the original covers are not being used. The original covers are all in the closet in a file folder.
And Lemmy, don't call me friend-o, I don't even know you.
So, using massive amounts of ink to print new covers to replace perfectly good ones is the good option? LOL. I wish I was made of money, too.
...And no "friend-o"? No problem, amigo.
danwiz
04-12-09, 11:01 AM
Okay, Lemmy, you win, I'm a fool! But, at least I'm a fool with money enough to use massive amounts of ink to print new covers and ultimately double the number of DVDs my limited shelf space can hold!
Kent2000
04-12-09, 04:20 PM
Hell, just print the slim covers at your local library.You'll pay maybe a dollar a page for a color print, they provide the ink, and you might even be able to put your own photo paper in the printer. The argument might as well be that it's a waste of money to buy DVDs at all when you can just catch movies at random on broadcast television!
milo bloom
04-12-09, 07:55 PM
It's such a small sliver of paper from each side that I have no problem cutting the covers to fit. It's far more acceptable to me than using more ink and more paper to create a new one. As I said though, I may get around to converting my snappers to thin cases, which will require new printing, but it's not like you can trim that thick cardboard to fit.
jjcool
04-13-09, 01:34 PM
well, double-alpha cases to double amaray, i dont really count. i think alpha cases are kinda dying off anyway right? and the others you mention i think are collections. so lets not count them either.
i have seen those digital copies re-releases sold at retail in thinpacks though. thats a start i guess. i just dunno if ill personally ever be comfortable with them meh.
THe double amaray were the cases that opened on both sides and were double the thickness of a standard dvd case, right?
Why wouldnt you count these, if they cut their width in half? and why wouldnt you count collections, if they cut their width down?
hindolio
04-14-09, 01:33 AM
THe double amaray were the cases that opened on both sides and were double the thickness of a standard dvd case, right?
Why wouldnt you count these, if they cut their width in half? and why wouldnt you count collections, if they cut their width down?
yeah, err... no, double alphas open twice and were double the thickness of a standard amaray case. but yesh, i dont count them because they are not used any longer for new releases.
and i meant i dont count the limited edition collection sets you mentioned (x-files, buffy) because they came in elaborate packaging.
Sonic
04-14-09, 01:38 AM
Sweet collection. If I could transform my entire collection with thinpaks I would. They look less bulky and more trimmed which equals more space.
I love the blu-ray cases cause they smaller. I think dvd cases should trim down like that. Smaller equals better imo.
jjcool
04-14-09, 01:12 PM
yeah, err... no, double alphas open twice and were double the thickness of a standard amaray case. but yesh, i dont count them because they are not used any longer for new releases.
and i meant i dont count the limited edition collection sets you mentioned (x-files, buffy) because they came in elaborate packaging.
Perhaps you misunderstood me. I was referring to the xfiles, buffy and angel season sets that originally came in gatefold packaging. Then was released in thinpack packaging, now finally comes in single width cases. Not the entire series sets that have come out
hindolio
04-15-09, 11:50 PM
^ oh. wait. okay, but i kinda forgot what we were talking about lol.
alls im sayings is that i likes me my normal dvd cases. bulky and big and all. im guessing a lot of people agree, because if they didnt, sooner or later, studios would do what the consumer wants and make dvd releases exclusively in thinpacks.
that said, i guess i would have to accept if cases were produced smaller because, hey, times and things constantly change. but i would hope that all dvd releases were uniform. i dont really want to see a dvd case format war!
ZT_Styles
04-16-09, 08:40 AM
To be honest, after reading through this thread I am definitely thinking about it. It would be a long/slow process due to the cost, but it may be worth it to save on the shelf space.
jjcool
04-16-09, 01:14 PM
To be honest, after reading through this thread I am definitely thinking about it. It would be a long/slow process due to the cost, but it may be worth it to save on the shelf space.
When I first started the project it was very daunting. But I did a couple of letters a night, all the movies that start with "A, B, or C" for example. Once I saw shelves emptying, it made it very easy to stick withthe project to completion. Now, the new acquisitions get a thin pak before they go on the shelf.
ZT_Styles
04-20-09, 10:39 PM
I've decided I'm going to go through with converting most of my collection to Thinpak. One thing that helped my decision was I found a source for the cases on the cheap. At Wal-Mart you can get a 10 pack of slim DVD cases for 5 bucks. I bought 3 sets so I have 30 empty cases to get me started on my conversion project.
Basically I'm going to convert everything except for Steelbooks and some TV sets.
jjcool
04-21-09, 05:01 PM
I've decided I'm going to go through with converting most of my collection to Thinpak. One thing that helped my decision was I found a source for the cases on the cheap. At Wal-Mart you can get a 10 pack of slim DVD cases for 5 bucks. I bought 3 sets so I have 30 empty cases to get me started on my conversion project.
Basically I'm going to convert everything except for Steelbooks and some TV sets.
Good for you. When you get through the movies, you will see how much space you gained, and how much more you can gain by doing all those 2 disc movies into 2 disc thins, and the tv shows into single width cases.
genesysdtp.com is great for cases. cheap prices, and fast shipping. thinpaks you can get 50 for 11.75
danwiz
04-22-09, 03:51 AM
I've decided I'm going to go through with converting most of my collection to Thinpak. One thing that helped my decision was I found a source for the cases on the cheap. At Wal-Mart you can get a 10 pack of slim DVD cases for 5 bucks. I bought 3 sets so I have 30 empty cases to get me started on my conversion project.
Basically I'm going to convert everything except for Steelbooks and some TV sets.
Congratulations. Check out this picture for a fantastic example of how much space was saved with these 3 sets. The empty case beside the "Die Hard Trilogy" represents "Die Hard 4", which IS included in the "Die Hard Collection" Check out this thread: http://forum.dvdtalk.com/dvd-talk-covers-cases-inserts/553703-any-interest-replacement-cover.html for a picture of the entire "Cowboy Bebop" artwork.
Ok, just ran into a hitch on one of my conversions. Need a little advice.
I had forgotten that one of my 2-disc sets was a store exclusive with a 3rd Disc in a paper sleeve inside. Would it be a good idea to slide said 3rd disc in between the other two in the slim case (keeping it in the paper sleeve mind you)? It doesn't seem like it would add much bulk to it. Come to think of it, would that maybe work for 3-disc sets in general, or am I about to commit a big 'no no'?
jjcool
04-22-09, 04:50 PM
Ok, just ran into a hitch on one of my conversions. Need a little advice.
I had forgotten that one of my 2-disc sets was a store exclusive with a 3rd Disc in a paper sleeve inside. Would it be a good idea to slide said 3rd disc in between the other two in the slim case (keeping it in the paper sleeve mind you)? It doesn't seem like it would add much bulk to it. Come to think of it, would that maybe work for 3-disc sets in general, or am I about to commit a big 'no no'?
It's your collection. Ultimately you have to decide. What I do, is any 3 disc collection gets a 3 disc case, with three seperate hubs. I havent found any of these slimmer than a standard single width dvd case, though unfortunately.
danwiz
04-22-09, 08:54 PM
ZT_Styles: Yeah, it's your collection so ultimately you have to decide what you want to do. There are some items which just cannot be converted to Thinpaks because all of the inserts just won't fit into a 7 mm case. Some of the old style 4 disc cases can, however, be converted to standard size (14 mm) cases. Personally I was quite happy to get those old style cases converted to standard size cases. The vast majority of my collection has now been converted - as follows:
converted to 7 mm cases = 342
converted to standard size cases (14 mm) = 28
not yet converted = 139 (TV sets, items for which no cover-art is available, stuff which I just plain don't want to convert, etc.)
danwiz
fumanstan
04-28-09, 02:38 PM
Not a fan of thinpaks at all, so I'd never do it. I can see why some folks would be inclined to based on storage space though.
Abe.
08-02-09, 01:40 AM
I'm about half way into my conversion, and I'm loving it. I just ordered another 500 thinpaks, and that should be more than enough to finish. Now, what to do with all that space?
Quick question... Is there a huge difference using 5mm cases?
jjcool
08-02-09, 01:31 PM
I'm about half way into my conversion, and I'm loving it. I just ordered another 500 thinpaks, and that should be more than enough to finish. Now, what to do with all that space?
Quick question... Is there a huge difference using 5mm cases?
Easiest thing to do with the extra space is get more dvds!!
As for the 5mm cases, I dont know as I only use the standard (7mm i think) thinpak cases.
What did you do with you old cases?
Quack
08-02-09, 07:06 PM
Do you find it hard finding covers for everything you have though? I assume you keep your booklets as well too?
writer106
08-20-09, 12:00 AM
I'm thinking about using thinpaks.
danwiz
08-20-09, 05:24 AM
The Thinpak CoverArt on R1db.com is designed for the 7 mm ThinPak cases. In addition, I believe that the 7 mm cases are just enough larger than the 5 mm size so that the titles are still easy to read. In addition, most inserts will still fit inside of the 7 mm cases, this is not the case with the 5 mm cases.
ZT_Styles
08-20-09, 06:51 AM
I've converted a good chunk of my movies and TV shows to thinpak cases, and I have since moved on to the real monster shelf eater of my DVD collection... my wrestling DVDs. I've started by converting my Ring of Honor DVD Collection. I've converted pretty much every show from Jan. '06 - Current. I basically made up a template in photoshop where I gave each cover a matching spine but retaining the original art on the front and back. My goal is to convert my complete wrestling collection one promotion at a time.
Kent2000
08-20-09, 11:21 AM
I've been slowly doing this myself. For covers, I simply simply scan the back of the existing insert, use a single font and color for the title spine, then Google the original poster art for the front cover. I've been printing them on regular paper, which looks just fine for my purposes. Further, I picked up some decorative boxes at Target to store them in, fits roughly 36 slim cases with room on the side for insert booklets. The twofold purpose of the boxes is that it keeps the DVDs out of my two-year old's sight so she can't grab hold of them. It's time-consuming, but most of our original DVD boxes were getting banged up whenever we moved, so this way the DVDs are essentially packed and ready to go at a moment's notice if such need arises.
jjcool
08-20-09, 04:09 PM
I've converted a good chunk of my movies and TV shows to thinpak cases, and I have since moved on to the real monster shelf eater of my DVD collection... my wrestling DVDs. I've started by converting my Ring of Honor DVD Collection. I've converted pretty much every show from Jan. '06 - Current. I basically made up a template in photoshop where I gave each cover a matching spine but retaining the original art on the front and back. My goal is to convert my complete wrestling collection one promotion at a time.
This sounds awesome!! I would love to see a picture of this on the shelf.
jjcool
08-20-09, 04:24 PM
I've been slowly doing this myself. For covers, I simply simply scan the back of the existing insert, use a single font and color for the title spine, then Google the original poster art for the front cover. I've been printing them on regular paper, which looks just fine for my purposes. Further, I picked up some decorative boxes at Target to store them in, fits roughly 36 slim cases with room on the side for insert booklets. The twofold purpose of the boxes is that it keeps the DVDs out of my two-year old's sight so she can't grab hold of them. It's time-consuming, but most of our original DVD boxes were getting banged up whenever we moved, so this way the DVDs are essentially packed and ready to go at a moment's notice if such need arises.
I did this for a couple of my dvds when I started my conversion. I ended up Not doing it for more than 5 or 6. there are enough websites with some very talented artists out there, that I havent not been able to find a cover I was looking for more than about 10% of the time. In those instances I was able to find a regular case that I converted to a thinpack.
I used to use regular paper, until someone on here suggested I try matte photo paper, and wont go back to regular paper. The matte photo paper makes it look like the real deal, and when you put the printed one behind the clear plastic of the case, you really cant tell that it is a print out.
Buy: