[rob80b]

I'm honestly not trying to be sarcastic here, but...

How do you get your CDs to look like that?   Some older ones I have have some scratches from when I used to play them in my car, but nothing close to that.  A few had some more scratches from falling between the seats and trying to fish them out.  I've never had a CD scratched to the point where it wouldn't play or rip. 

I'd get it you you were kids or guys who didn't care about your gear and music. 

Please don't take that as criticism.  I'm just trying to figure out how they'd get that bad.

Hi Stu,

That's the point, the CD shown is not scratched on the outside, the deterioration is between the layers. and can only be seen by holding it up to a light source and I've a few like this, even Gold pressed. My CDs are always put away after playing and I'm pretty fussy about dust and finger prints.

 

[rob80b]

Hi Stu,

That's the point, the CD shown is not scratched on the outside, the deterioration is between the layers. and can only be seen by holding it up to a light source and I've a few like this, even Gold pressed. My CDs are always put away after playing and I'm pretty fussy about dust and finger prints.

Fortunately this is only a few CDs and I  put it down to sloppy manufacturing and quality control, this one's the worst of the bunch they actually look like finger prints and, the rest only have what appear as pin holes forming in the aluminum layer.

Robert

[Napalm]

Fortunately this is only a few CDs and I it put down to sloppy manufacturing and quality control, this one's the worst of the bunch they actually look like finger prints and, the rest only have what appear as pin holes forming in the aluminum layer.

Robert

I know that type of CDs. The aluminum layer is not protected by anything. Or just by the screen-printing ink if there's some writing/art on it. If you look carefully at the pic posted above, there are no scratches/pinholes under the letters of the writing.

They're hopeless. I don't know of any good method to add a protective layer. So just make backup copies ASAP.

Nap. 

[sfraser]

Something to consider all digital medium is subject to bit rot, (google "bit rot"). Might want to consider updating your backup medium every couple years.

[rob80b]

Something to consider all digital medium is subject to bit rot, (google "bit rot"). Might want to consider updating your backup medium every couple years.

Seeing I have 40 year old records whick play fine, we might consider ripping everything to vinyl.

Robert

[vegasdave]

I believe it. Good idea!

[whanafi]

Seeing I have 40 year old records whick play fine, we might consider ripping everything to vinyl.

Robert

Unfortunately vinyl has it's own challenges - my 30 year old records have some interesting fungal growths in the grooves. 

One of the "joys" of living in the tropics is the variety of things that humidity and temperature allow to grow.  I haven't invested in a good record cleaner yet, but normal dry brushing does not help.

OTOH, I never have to worry about static electricity...

[Napalm]

Unfortunately vinyl has it's own challenges - my 30 year old records have some interesting fungal growths in the grooves. 
One of the "joys" of living in the tropics is the variety of things that humidity and temperature allow to grow.  [...]

I hope you're not big time into photography.... I know damn well what can grow between lens elements there.... and you'll see those magnified lool.   

Nap. 

[whanafi]

I hope you're not big time into photography.... I know damn well what can grow between lens elements there.... and you'll see those magnified lool.   

Nap. 

  Yeah, keeping any electronics or optics clean is a challenge.  I have a dry box for all my camera and video equipment, but the vinyl somewhat exceeds the size of any dry box I am aware of. 

Running the AC 24x7 was an option when somebody else was paying for the electricity, but rates are so high now that is out of the question when I am footing the bill.  And that is why I turn my amp off as well.