Storing CDs

Posted by: Jack on 27 March 2014

I know there's been a few threads on storage but I have a specific query.......its time for the CD collection to leave the music room and ideally head to the loft (everything is ripped). Now space in the loft shouldnt be a problem so they can stay in their original cases if needs be etc

 

But I am a little concerned about how temperatture extremes may affect the collection over a number of years. It gets pretty cold up there in the winter (sort of see your breath cold) and quite warm in the summer. I can put them in boxes with bubble wrap or something similar if required but wondered if anyone had any advice or thoughts on whether I should be concerned about loft storage?

 

Thanks

 

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Mr Happy

I personally wouldn't store mine in the loft for the reasons you have given. Im ripping my collection at the moment, so will probably be wondering where to store mine soon. I may put mine either under the stairs or under the bed as the temperature and humidity are much more constant and therefore better for the cd's long term.

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Tony2011

Not very scientific but helpful if you're interested!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O...l_media_preservation

 

http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub121/sec5.html

 

 

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Minh Nguyen
I would suggest you use a NAS to backup your UnitiServe and sell your CD's ^_^
Posted on: 27 March 2014 by osprey
Selling the CDs and keeping the copies might violate copyright laws (they are country specific though) so it might be a good idea to check before any actions.
Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Tony2011
Originally Posted by osprey:

       
Selling the CDs and keeping the copies might violate copyright laws (they are country specific though) so it might be a good idea to check before any actions.

       

+1
Besides if anything goes wrong with the NAS you always have back up.
Posted on: 27 March 2014 by maccaa

I put all my ripped CD's into Jazzloft CD-sleeves to take up less space, put those in "really useful" boxes and they are now residing in a relatively temperature stable wardrobe,  the sleeves make a huge difference of course.

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Minh Nguyen
Originally Posted by Tony2011:

       
Originally Posted by osprey:

       
Selling the CDs and keeping the copies might violate copyright laws (they are country specific though) so it might be a good idea to check before any actions.

      

+1
Besides if anything goes wrong with the NAS you always have back up.

       


Lighten up gentlemen, it was my attempt at light hearted humour ^_^

If you do have to store them in the loft, ensure that there is adequate ventilation by checking either end of the eaves for any obstructions that may reduce air flow. This will help prevent the build up of condensation ^_^
Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Tony2011

I don't know why I waste my precious time  with some people!

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by hungryhalibut

I agree, Tony. I have 1,000 in the loft and another 1,000 under the stairs. The melting point of a CD is higher than the temperature reached in our loft in the summer, and it gets pretty toasty in Emsworth, I can tell you! Once you sell the cd, you have no legal right to the music. I doubt one would ever be banged to rights for copyright infringement, but I wouldn't feel comfortable selling the CDs. It would just feel wrong. Like nicking stuff from the shops.

Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Minh Nguyen
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

       

I agree, Tony. I have 1,000 in the loft and another 1,000 under the stairs. The melting point of a CD is higher than the temperature reached in our loft in the summer, and it gets pretty toasty in Emsworth, I can tell you! Once you sell the cd, you have no legal right to the music. I doubt one would ever be banged to rights for copyright infringement, but I wouldn't feel comfortable selling the CDs. It would just feel wrong. Like nicking stuff from the shops.


       


Try the reflective foil that is secured to the trusses. It comes in rolls and installation is a breeze. It should help with the excess heat during summer and keep it warmer during the winter ^_^
Posted on: 27 March 2014 by Clive B

Why move them at all? I've ripped most of mine, but they continue to reside in their original racks (in the music room, under the stairs [with LP records] and in a spare bedroom). It's often easier to reach for the CD to check the track list or read details than it is to fire up the iPad and, besides, the CD booklet is more informative than the data on the ROVI database. I don't find them unattractive to look at and my wife has even said that if I were to move them from under the stairs it would look too empty. So I say keep them where they are. 

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Gajdzin
Many of my old CDs have a rash of holes in the metal foil in which the pits are printed. Some have "runners" - cracks running the the foil. In both cases you can see light through those spots when holding the disk in front of a light bulb.
 
Those are CDs from mid 1980s, though - maybe the technology has improved since. They did live through 10 years in Japan (very high humidity in summer) and 5 years in Singapore (it's no longer humidity there - it's water in the air). In Japan I kept them on the back seat of my car in a plastic box, and the car was parked on the street in full sunlight... Then there was the move back to Poland, a much colder and dryer climate. I guess I abused them a lot.
Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Jack

Thanks everyone

 

I think I'll give the loft a miss at least for now, might need a new roof in the not too distant future, maybe that is the time to make sure all the roof insulation is spot on and then move to loft. Looks like I'll have to find some storage elsewhere. Need to move out of music room to make room.....I've brought all my vinyl together so its a bit cluttered now!

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by pcstockton
Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen:
I would suggest you use a NAS to backup your UnitiServe and sell your CD's ^_^

Sell them all!  Backup your rips.

Posted on: 28 March 2014 by Hook
Originally Posted by maccaa:

I put all my ripped CD's into Jazzloft CD-sleeves to take up less space, put those in "really useful" boxes and they are now residing in a relatively temperature stable wardrobe,  the sleeves make a huge difference of course.

 

+1 for "Really Useful".  Their 17 litre box holds almost 100 CDs in jewell cases with no wasted space.  IMO, anything larger, and the box becomes too heavy. Anything smaller, and you wind up with too many boxes. They are very well made, and stack nicely.  But as with anything well made, they aren't inexpensive.

 

ATB.

 

Hook

 

PS - The 17 litre box works well for Blu Rays (stacked in the opposite direction as CDs), and the 32 litre box hold two layers of DVDs, again with almost no wasted space.

Posted on: 30 March 2014 by PinkHamster

Is anyone of you seriously considering to ever re-rip any of your old CDs?

Back ups of the NAS are a much more appropriate method of securing your musical content.

Having said this, it shouldn't really matter under which conditions the CDs are stored as they will only serve as proof of the original acquisition.