Testing a Scratched Disk?
#1
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Testing a Scratched Disk?
I have received a replacement disk for something I ordered online that had arrived loose in the case and scratched. The replacement is also loose and scratched. 
The scratches are very visible, but don't look too deep. Because it's the 5th part of something that I haven't started watching yet, I'd like to try to test the disk to see if it's playable before simply returning it again, but I don't want to "watch" it yet.
Is there a way to do this? On problem disks I've had before, sometimes they pixilate, or jump ahead a few chapters, or even stop and go back to a menu. So, if I just start the disk and wander off for an hour, I still wouldn't know by what I found upon return to be a successful run of the disk or not. I could scan it on fast forward through the whole thing and hope I don't see anything that would ruin the plot for me later, but that seems weak.
Any ideas?? Or should I just return it because it arrived scratched anyway?

The scratches are very visible, but don't look too deep. Because it's the 5th part of something that I haven't started watching yet, I'd like to try to test the disk to see if it's playable before simply returning it again, but I don't want to "watch" it yet.
Is there a way to do this? On problem disks I've had before, sometimes they pixilate, or jump ahead a few chapters, or even stop and go back to a menu. So, if I just start the disk and wander off for an hour, I still wouldn't know by what I found upon return to be a successful run of the disk or not. I could scan it on fast forward through the whole thing and hope I don't see anything that would ruin the plot for me later, but that seems weak.
Any ideas?? Or should I just return it because it arrived scratched anyway?

Last edited by Bronkster; 07-19-04 at 04:42 PM.
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Maybe you could let it scan through and leave the room? Then you would just need to time it. Personally, I've found that a 2x scan will usually catch any errors. Anything higher and you could skip over it. Let's say the running time is 30 min. Run the 2x scan and come back in 15. If it's not done maybe it had to fight through a problem area.
Last edited by bunkaroo; 07-19-04 at 05:51 PM.
#3
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Re: Testing a Scratched Disk?
Originally posted by Bronkster
Any ideas?? Or should I just return it because it arrived scratched anyway?
Any ideas?? Or should I just return it because it arrived scratched anyway?


#4
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Re: Re: Testing a Scratched Disk?
Originally posted by gutwrencher
uhh...bingo!? why would you accept a less than perfect disc? if you wanted it used...you would have bought it used.
uhh...bingo!? why would you accept a less than perfect disc? if you wanted it used...you would have bought it used.


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Re: Re: Re: Testing a Scratched Disk?
Originally posted by Bronkster
That's my standard procedure, but since this will be my 3rd try on the same DVD, I thought maybe I'd attempt to avoid the hassle/wait, just this once. Knowing me, I'll probably send it back again anyway.
That's my standard procedure, but since this will be my 3rd try on the same DVD, I thought maybe I'd attempt to avoid the hassle/wait, just this once. Knowing me, I'll probably send it back again anyway.

good luck and keep us posted.

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I'm also in the same problem as you are, Bronkster. I just recently received a DVD that came loose and all scratched up.
I'm personally not gonna take any chances and am just going to return it for an exchange.
I'm personally not gonna take any chances and am just going to return it for an exchange.