| For
the past ten years or so, compact discs (CDs) have been the
preferred media format for music enthusiasts and the record
industry alike. Compared to their earlier analog counterparts,
they provide superior sound quality and are much more durable.
Unfortunately they are not indestructible, as many consumers
have come to realize.
While there is no tape that gets torn and
tangled, the read-side (playing side) of the disc can become
scratched and interfere with the playback of the disc. Sometimes
this may only create a minor skip and sometimes it results
in the disc being completely unplayable depending on the kind
of damage and severity.
The most common form of damage is a scratch
in the read-side of the disc. What many people don't realize
is that this side of the disc is actually just a protective
coating for the digital information stored underneath. This
turns out to be great news...even though the CD may be currently
unusable, this is only temporary and the actual data or music
remains undamaged!
In the past few years a number of methods
for repairing scratched CDs have surfaced, some more effective
than others. One of these methods attempts to fill the scratch
with a liquid gel that dries and leaves the surface smooth
if applied properly. While inexpensive, this method is often
not all it's cracked up to be. Even if you manage to apply
the material correctly, many times the laser still cannot
read the disc properly.
The scratch is filled and smooth, but the
laser gets refracted and the CD continues to skip. Another
more expensive alternative requires a hand-cranked CD repair
mechanism. These devices generally cost about $30 and attempt
to grind the scratch out using a hand-crank. These are often
successful at removing the actual scratch but end up leaving
major scuffs on the rest of the CD surface.
The most effective form of scratch removal
for CDs and DVDs applies the same concept as the hand-crank
device but takes the idea a step farther. These are professional
scratch repair machines that use powered motors and specially
made CD buffering pads to remove the scratch and restore the
disc to its original shine. The process begins by buffering
the CD with a corse, sandpaper-like material that removes
the actual scratch. Progressively more fine pads are used
until the CD is finally resurfaced with a polishing compound
to remove any remaining scuffs created during the scratch
removal process.
All this may sound very technical, but it
is actually very simple. Think of it as the same process you
might use to repair a scratched coffee table. First, remove
the scratch with a powered sander and then polish and refinish
the affected area. While these machines are too expensive
for the average consumer to purchase ($500 and up), it is
becoming more and more common to find them in used CD stores
and rental shops. You can usually have your CDs and DVDs repaired
for a mere $3-4, a small price to pay when compared to buying
a replacement disc.
Digital media formats, such as mp3's, are
the latest form of distributing music and are becoming more
popular all the time. With these digital formats the hassle
of scratches will be a thing of the past, but compact discs
are still the preferred medium by most consumers.
There are still thousands of albums that aren't
available on mp3 as well. So for now, customers will have
to continue to be careful how they handle their discs or find
an inexpensive, reliable way to have their movies and music
discs repaired.
How
to Repair Scratched CDs | 2
Types Of Top Damage | Can
Your Disc Be Fixed? | Repair
and fix damaged CD |
How
to Tell if a CD Is Damaged | CD
Cleaning Solution - Making Your Own
|
Don't
Trash Your Scratched CDs...Repair Them!
|
