Small crack in a DVD, will it get worse?

I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible that
this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high speeds
like CD-ROM drives?

dvd_newbie

On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:25:47 -0400, dvd_newbie wrote:

>I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
>part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
>wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
>shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible that
>this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high speeds
>like CD-ROM drives?

It could eventually shatter. Even when DVD plays at 1x, the disc
spins much faster than CD at 1x. If the disc is still within the
store's return or warranty, have the disc exchanged at once.

If not returnable, I'd keep an eye on that disc and consider ripping
it and making backup copies just to use while keeping the cracked disc
uncer lock and key. Or safer yet buy a new one and get rid of the
cracked disc.
--
When you hear the toilet flush, and hear the words "uh oh", it's already
too late. - by anonymous Mother in Austin, TX
To reply, replace digi.mon with phreaker.net

Impmon

dvd_newbie wrote:
> I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
> part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
> wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
> shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible that
> this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high speeds
> like CD-ROM drives?

In a word yes. My son managed to completely snap a Toy Story 2 DVD in
half, by removing it from it's case without pressing the little insert,
but no it won't shatter in your player. it doesn't spin *that* fast in
a domestic player.

Doc

Dr Hfuhruhurr

"Dr Hfuhruhurr" <> wrote in
news: oups.com:

> In a word yes. My son managed to completely snap a Toy Story 2 DVD in
> half, by removing it from it's case without pressing the little insert,
> but no it won't shatter in your player. it doesn't spin *that* fast in
> a domestic player.

You should watch Mythbusters more often. While showing that the average
CDROM drive wasn't going to spin fast enough to shatter an intact CD, a crack
completely changes the equation.

--
Minister of All Things Digital & Electronic, and Holder of Past Knowledge
. Cabal# 24601-fnord | Sleep is irrelevant.
I speak for no one but myself, and |Caffeine will be assimilated.
no one else speaks for me. O- | Decaf is futile.

Howard

<dvd_newbie> wrote in message
news:...
>I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
> part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
> wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
> shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible
> that
> this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high
> speeds
> like CD-ROM drives?
>

I had a DVD like this and it got worse. Rather than take a chance with my
expensive DVD player, I bought a new disc.

Alpha

<dvd_newbie> wrote in message
news:
> I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle
> clear part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2
> millimeters. I'm wondering if it will get larger as time goes on?
> I've heard about CDs shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed
> spinning, so is it possible that this could eventually happen to my
> DVD? Do DVD players spin at high speeds like CD-ROM drives?

Copy it now while you still can.
--
The alt.video.dvd faq is located at:
http://aww-faq.org/dvdfaq.html

FAQmeister

On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:25:47 -0400, dvd_newbie put finger to keyboard
and composed:

>I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
>part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
>wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
>shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible that
>this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high speeds
>like CD-ROM drives?

Prevent the crack from propagating by drilling a hole (say 1-2mm dia)
through its endpoint(s). Drill an opposing hole to balance the disc as
best you can. Then burn a copy of the disc.


- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 's' from my address when replying by email.

Franc Zabkar

On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:02:17 +1000, Franc Zabkar <>
wrote:

>On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:25:47 -0400, dvd_newbie put finger to keyboard
>and composed:
>
>>I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
>>part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
>>wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
>>shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible that
>>this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high speeds
>>like CD-ROM drives?
>
>Prevent the crack from propagating by drilling a hole (say 1-2mm dia)
>through its endpoint(s). Drill an opposing hole to balance the disc as
>best you can. Then burn a copy of the disc.

I took a look at the crack again. The crack is only on the top layer of
plastic. It's not on the bottom layer. Hopefully the disc will be OK.

dvd_newbie

<dvd_newbie> wrote in message
news:...
> On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:02:17 +1000, Franc Zabkar
> <>
> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:25:47 -0400, dvd_newbie put finger to keyboard
>>and composed:
>>
>>>I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
>>>part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
>>>wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
>>>shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible
>>>that
>>>this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high
>>>speeds
>>>like CD-ROM drives?
>>
>>Prevent the crack from propagating by drilling a hole (say 1-2mm dia)
>>through its endpoint(s). Drill an opposing hole to balance the disc as
>>best you can. Then burn a copy of the disc.
>
> I took a look at the crack again. The crack is only on the top layer of
> plastic. It's not on the bottom layer. Hopefully the disc will be OK.
>

Then you have a very unique DVD. There are no layers at the hub of DVD...it
is a single polycarbonate structure.

Alpha

On Wed, 6 Jul 2005 00:39:24 -0700, "Alpha" <> wrote:

>
><dvd_newbie> wrote in message
>news:.. .
>> On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:02:17 +1000, Franc Zabkar
>> <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 09:25:47 -0400, dvd_newbie put finger to keyboard
>>>and composed:
>>>
>>>>I noticed that one of my DVDs has a small crack in it on the middle clear
>>>>part. It goes from the edge and extends inward about 2 millimeters. I'm
>>>>wondering if it will get larger as time goes on? I've heard about CDs
>>>>shattering in CD-ROM drives due to high speed spinning, so is it possible
>>>>that
>>>>this could eventually happen to my DVD? Do DVD players spin at high
>>>>speeds
>>>>like CD-ROM drives?
>>>
>>>Prevent the crack from propagating by drilling a hole (say 1-2mm dia)
>>>through its endpoint(s). Drill an opposing hole to balance the disc as
>>>best you can. Then burn a copy of the disc.
>>
>> I took a look at the crack again. The crack is only on the top layer of
>> plastic. It's not on the bottom layer. Hopefully the disc will be OK.
>>
>
>Then you have a very unique DVD. There are no layers at the hub of DVD...it
>is a single polycarbonate structure.

I very much doubt that. On some DVDs, I have noticed a "bubble" in the center
clear part. It's like a pocket of air caused by not enough glue to completely
hold the two pieces together.

dvd_newbie