I remember reading something about this on here, a while ago. Someone said that, because of gravity, storing DVDs horizontally has a detrimental effect on the layers or something. I just moved my collection to horizontal storage, so I'm a bit worried. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the thread. Anyone know if this is true?
Thanks.

It was true of laserdiscs, which were much heavier and thus subject to damage when stored horizontally, as gravity pulls down on the hub. CDs and DVDs are much lighther shouldn't be subject to the same dangers; keeping them in their cases with the discs on the hubs will keep them flat, anyway (this wasn't an option in the era of laserdisc, as the cardboard sleeves also gave easily to gravity).

DJ

No problem. And no problem with LD either, contrary to some apparent beliefs.

No problems here,I think its a weight issue which shouldnt be a problem with DVDs unless you have 1000's of them stacked on top of each other.

I have read some articles about how the DVDs can "pop" out of the case, turning into a shiny horizontal spinning technological horror that would actually decapitate heads. Make sure you get the cases with those little tabs so that the DVD can't escape.

I thought it was like with vinyl records that the dangers or warping would increase. Plus the weight of the discs on the top would put more pressure on the botom discs

I think that this is why I just store mine in the upright position. No solid proof that the horizontal can cause warping, but no solid proof otherwise either

It's not a problem like vinyl records since the DVD case bears the weight insead of the DVD itself. And most DVD cases support the disc on the hub and outer ring, so storing them horizontally shouldn't be a problem.

Where's your solid proof that they're not harmed from storing them vertically, huh? :P

I've never even considered horizontal storage - simply too clumsy to remove the one from the middle of the pile that I want to watch!

Really, you just need to make sure there's no magnets or electrical fields nearby, and you'll be fine.

Are you talking about when loose discs are stacked upon one another? I can't think of a case where that's normally done, except for those bulk packs of DVD-Rs that are stacked on a spindle instead of in individual cases. Those would probably get used up before the weight would be a problem, assuming they are put in cases as they are used.

I recently went to a professional video reproduction service as a family home video had broken inside our VCR and I wanted to get it repaired. I had it setting on top of a TV and the tech said all the information on the video was lost due to the magnets in the TV's speakers. He said that we should hold on to the tape as in the future, there may be a way to get the info retrieved and put on to DVD (it was the birth & first few days of my child). After getting this enormously sad news, I asked if the same thing was true for DVDs so this wouldn't happen again in the future. He said no, the technology is completely different and this does not happen to CDs, DVDs & CD-ROMs. Was this information inaccurate?

The techie was right, there's no danger. DVD info is not stored magnetically like how tape info is stored.

I'm talking about regular Amaray cases. If you look, there is a lip around the edge that the outer edge of the disc rests on. There are some cases that don't have that lip but most of them do.

That thing about the data on your VHS tape being lost due to storing it on top of your television seems kind of dodgy. I've stored VHS tapes inches from my television's speakers and never had a problem. I'd consider getting a second opinion from somewhere else.

Tape-based mediums, like VHS and audio cassettes are magnetic tapes. The analog information is stored on a ferric-oxide coating on the tape so it can be ruined by magnetic fields. Disc-based media like CD and DVD aren't magnetic based (they use a reflective layer of aluminum instead of iron) so they aren't effected by magnets. Or shouldn't be.

http://www.itl.nist.gov/div895/caref...dlingGuide.pdf

And mine would go from looking like a library to a........whatever.

I've kept my movise Horz for over 5 years, and I have yet to have a problem.

I want to thank EAU for the link to the librarians guide for care and handling of CD's and DVD's. That is a VERY valuable resource. I downloaded and saved that pdf file. Wonderful - Thanks again!

I'd like to say thanks also. I made a little book out of that...essential stuff.

Yeah well... I heard it was like the 6th year that most of em will stop playing!!