subject: Dvd Cd Game Disc Scratch Repair [print this page] As we begin to move well past the first twenty years since the introduction of DVD discs and even longer for CDs, most of us will have collected together quite large amounts of data stored on them.
As these collections begin to age the question of maintenance and recovery from scratch damage arises.
The majority of scratched CD, DVD and game discs can be easily and cheaply replaced at the moment.
Unfortunately in the case of discs that you have created yourself like personal photos and home videos it is another matter. This also holds true for a small but increasing number of DVDs or CDs that are no longer commercially produced.
We can all agree that we need to make backups of these discs but most people don't even think of this until the damage has been done!
What choices are available for restoration or data recovery from scratched DVDs, CDs and game discs?
The answer to this can be broken into three basic categories.
The first method of handling is by using software to deal with the situation and this is the safest way to go.
There is specialized software in existence for handling CDs and DVD with either automatic correction as part of it or has been created with correction and recovery in mind.
The level of success in this case depends heavily on the nature of the scratch damage to the disc in question but this is by far the most desirable method as it is "non-intrusive." Regardless of success or failure the scratched disc remains in the same condition as when you started.
The next means by which to handle any DVD, CD or game disc scratches is to do it yourself by hand.
There is a whole range of sites on the internet offering solutions to home DVD scratch repair and all claim to be effective. It goes from toothpaste to metal polish!
This method only offers an "all or nothing" outcome. You succeed and everyone is mightily impressed with your technical skills. You fail and look like an idiot standing there with a totally destroyed disc in your hand!
If you are the kind of person who can read instructions and follow them TO THE LETTER to get the desired result and also "conceptually" understand WHY it is done that way then you should be fine.
If there is any question of doubt in your mind about using these methods then just don't do it!
The final alternative for dealing with scratches on DVDs or CDs is to use a DVD scratch repair machine.
The whole function of a disc scratch repair machine is the restoration of a very high polish to the surface of a plastic disc. Because plastic is a relatively soft substance this is no easy thing to do. However it must be done in order for the laser reader to fully access the data on the disc.
There are many, many cheap CD DVD disc repair machines on the market today and the majority are a waste of time and money.
There are three tiers of machine separated by price range and the truth is that you get what you pay for.
That doesn't mean you are going to have to fork out $3000 for a fully commercial disc repair machine but on the other hand $25 is not going to get you anything that will work well.
Generally speaking a reliable disc repair machine at the consumer level for domestic use will set you back around the $100 mark and for that you should get a good one.
