Converting to Thin/Slimpacks?

Binkley

Binkley

CAGiversary!
So I have a bunch (200+) of the old thick DVD cases, and I was thinking I should convert them to slimpacks (or thinpacks or whatever they're called) and save some serious space.

Here come the questions:

1) Which thin/slim packs should I buy? I'd like to be able to save the outerwrapping and the cheesy 1 page insert that comes with the majority of my DVDs.

2) Where should I buy them? Is there a good site?

3) Can I donate/recycle the old boxes somewhere? Throwing out 200+ boxes seems like a waste...

Thanks in advance. If this question has been asked before, I'd appreciate a link.
 
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If you are looking to downsize I'd just store all of the cases and packaging in a box in the attic or basement and put the DVDs in a CD book that holds 500 or so... Talk about a space saver.... the reason for keeping the cases and art is in case you want to sell them later on...
 
I've started doing the case/folder thing myself. been doing that with my PS2 games. plus side, waaaay easier to transport!

also, if you can get just the case logic refills, they'll fit in a standard 3 ring binder
 
[quote name='javeryh']If you are looking to downsize I'd just store all of the cases and packaging in a box in the attic or basement and put the DVDs in a CD book that holds 500 or so... Talk about a space saver.... the reason for keeping the cases and art is in case you want to sell them later on...[/QUOTE]

Ya know, that's so simple it's brilliant. I haver been racking my brain for ways to cut down on space and that one is quite simple. I think I will still keep my TV on DVD in the boxes, but movies can go into a book.

Thanks for the idea.
 
Are the thin packs a little longer? If they're narrower and the same depth, the covers wouldn't fit.
 
Sounds like javeryh has the best idea. The original DVD coverart won't fit/look right in slim cases anyways, right?
 
Just remember its easier for transporting and that means its easier to come home to all 500 of your dvd's stolen by some guy with a mere backpack.
 
[quote name='Trakan']Sounds like javeryh has the best idea. The original DVD coverart won't fit/look right in slim cases anyways, right?[/quote]

Hey Trekken... Whats with the Matrix theme? You're about 3 years late. :lol:
 
putting them all in a case is also a nice way to get robbed fast or lose them quick. one night walking home drunk a friend and i saw a huge cd case on top of a car, it was like 2 am so we took a peek. it was a TON of dvds. like over 200. we left a note on the car and took the dvds. she called later and picked them up because we were super nice. anyway, like i said, its easier to lose a lot.
 
I would argue anyone that dumb would deserve to lose them.

[quote name='iheartmetal']putting them all in a case is also a nice way to get robbed fast or lose them quick. one night walking home drunk a friend and i saw a huge cd case on top of a car, it was like 2 am so we took a peek. it was a TON of dvds. like over 200. we left a note on the car and took the dvds. she called later and picked them up because we were super nice. anyway, like i said, its easier to lose a lot.[/quote]
 
[quote name='Binkley']So I have a bunch (200+) of the old thick DVD cases, and I was thinking I should convert them to slimpacks (or thinpacks or whatever they're called) and save some serious space.

Here come the questions:

1) Which thin/slim packs should I buy? I'd like to be able to save the outerwrapping and the cheesy 1 page insert that comes with the majority of my DVDs.

2) Where should I buy them? Is there a good site?

3) Can I donate/recycle the old boxes somewhere? Throwing out 200+ boxes seems like a waste...

Thanks in advance. If this question has been asked before, I'd appreciate a link.[/QUOTE]

This is why Hollywood has been giving us crap cases and no inserts: people who would rather save space than the display the movie the distribution company believed it should be displayed.

ODM: ORIGINAL DISPLAY METHOD

= )

And either way, it becomes null and void with two - three disc movies, 4 or more disc box sets, movies that come in different style packaging, etc. Unless you're so cheap you're going to butcher a Disney Platinum or the Star Wars trilogy just to save space
 
[quote name='Kayden']Hey Trekken... Whats with the Matrix theme? You're about 3 years late. :lol:[/quote]

I know. Believe it or not I saw the third film for the first time yesterday. I watched all three of them over the past weekend. Kinda reignited my interest for the series.
 
I've kept my media in various books for years. It keeps down wear on the original cases (which are displayed in the open) and saves the discs's centers from cracking. I've come to prefer splurging on Case Logic. They're overpriced, but at least they're consistent. When it comes to a thousand dollars or more worth of DVDs per case, I don't mind that extra $20 to get everything just right.

Several Case Logic cases are somewhat cheap at Amazon right now. I prefer the Koskin models.

Case Logic - http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref...F8&search-alias=aps&field-keywords=case logic

$35 320 Disc Koskin - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00025HIO4/sr=8-3/qid=1150753548

That one ships free.
 
I had thought that storing CDs/DVDs in wallets or the like was bad in the long-term, due to heat and/or pressure from the discs on top of them. Is that just a myth, or is the additional wear so miniscule as to not be worth caring about?
 
[quote name='botticus']I had thought that storing CDs/DVDs in wallets or the like was bad in the long-term, due to heat and/or pressure from the discs on top of them. Is that just a myth, or is the additional wear so miniscule as to not be worth caring about?[/QUOTE]

I used to store my PS2 games in a case early on until I noticed that taking the disks in & out of the case was causing light scratches. It may have been the type of case I was using, but I decided it wasn't worth the risk.
 
I thinpaked about 200 dvds a few years ago because I finally reached a point where i had no room at all for another dvd, bought a ten dollar paper cutter at Staples to slice down the artwork for the cases , a bit off the ends and they fit fine inside a thinpak . I only did it with movies I was sure I was never going to sell though. Bought the thinpaks from inetdvd.com, though I don't remember which brand.



Now when I run out of space I just use dvd albums and throw the cases in the closet, while I liked them thinpaked just cutting so many was really time consuming.
 
I've noticed some light scratches on my dvds too, and I use case logic and other brand name cases. I tend to move them around a lot though, and could probably handle them more gently than I do.
 
Imo dvds/cds get wear and tear alot easier being inside a cd book/folder(w/e you call it) than if there just left in there cases. Also like everyone else has stated youll get robbed alot easier.

Besides I like to show off. :)

Iv'e got over 1000 dvds.
 
First off the site recommended to buy the cases sucks - there's no guarantee those cases are Nexpak brand, which are the best. I got stuck with the generic ones shown there - they have the clips to hold the insert - and I know to stay away from them because they are flimsy. I recommend this site:

http://www.tapeandmedia.com/detail.asp?product_id=THINPACK-BLACK

Second, I've converted over 1000 DVDs to thinpaks and they look great on the shelves. Sure it took a little time but I just stick with it, every time I get a DVD I convert it. An exacto knife and straight edge gives it a clean look. Binders suck because you risk scratching the disc. Plus, what's cooler, choosing a movie off the shelf or paging through a binder?

I would recommend converting to thinpaks over binders any day, as long as you have the shelf space which it sounds like you do.
 
I have also converted much of my collection to thinpaks. For covers though, ive found some nice sites around that have custom-made covers or conversions of the retail covers so that they fit the thinpak cases and thus look good on the shelf and are easy to find because you can actually read the spine.

As far as collections with more then one disc, there are many options out there to put many disc in a single-width case. I have cases that hold six and put most of the season sets i buy into those. i.e. Smallville, Stargate, etc. And you can also get thinpak cases that hold two discs.

Good luck with the changeover.
 
[quote name='jrutz'] Binders suck because you risk scratching the disc. Plus, what's cooler, choosing a movie off the shelf or paging through a binder?
quote]

I have NEVER scratched a disc in a binder! I currently put my PS1/PS2 games, DVDs, CD's and will be putting some PC games in a binder and never had a problem. also how the hell would you scratch them?

and who cares bout which is cooler to sort thru?! funtionality is what matters! I'd personally like to see you take your DVD collection with you somewhere. Its nice having all this in a binder so I can just grab and go. no sitting there sorting out what I want to take, then changing my mind cause I ran out of room, etc etc etc.

now Im not knocking you cause you prefer cases over binders, whatever floats yer pontoon man. but just dont come out and say binders suck and will scratch your disc!
 
Dude. Multiple other people in this thread talked about cases scratching discs. They also pointed out that it's a greater liability i.e. someone stealing all your media in one fell swoop.

Jrutz isn't the only one.
 
Thanks for all the comments, I liked the one where apparently saving space = I'm evil. o_O

For the record, those multi disc sets will stick around since they have nice themed boxes.

I actually was using a binder but I recently went back home and got all my empty DVD boxes because my family is moving out. I could keep going on with just throwing them in a box in the garage but I was considering a more optimal solultion. The binder does seem to lead to scratches in my experience. I think it's because when you bring it out people ALWAYS want to flip through and whatnot, so this is probably my fault.

I really don't think the majority of my films will ever be eBay'd so I'm willing to cut them up. If I ebay'd anything it'd be all these TV show box sets...
 
Yah, I've noticed scuffing from binders but it takes years of heavy use to see it, really. It's nothing that's ever going to make your disks unplayable though and some wear is unavoidable unless you never actually watch the things.
 
I also started Thinpaking all of my anime and movie DVDs a few years ago when shelf space became a huge issue. The end result is that, $70 or so later, I have pretty much quadrupled the room available for my media. It's a pricey option (I always go through Tapesandmedia.com since their Ground Shipping is, literally, cheap Next-Day Delivery since they ship from across the LI Sound) but it's WELL worth it.

Here's how I mostly approach my media:

Single Clear Thinpaks:
Used on movies I love/will keep. If I want to get rid of it, I'll sell it to a friend or a CAGer with the Thinpak included. I use a simple photocutter to easily take off a little bit off the DVD cover so it'll fit easily in the cases. It's a significant amount of cover, to be fair, but it rarely cuts into the graphics or the text on the back. Quick, simple, two packs fit where a single DVD case would before.

Double Clear Thinpaks:
I use these on series of anime or whatnot that I have. I use one cover for the outside and I toss the other cover on the inside as well. It gets a bit cramped and a little bit harder to close but it still shuts completely and does its job. Toss both discs in there and I end up saving about 1 1/3 DVD cases per every 2 DVD cases I go through. It has REALLY slimmed down my collection and, even better, some covers only take a very minor trim to fit into the case without a problem.

Considering how well this has been going, I'm even considering taking it to my games. Yes, I know, blasphemy, but I've sold/gave away/got rid of most of the games I absolutely couldn't stand. Everything else that remains are titles I would mind slimming down a bit just to save room. Considering there's no room left on my wall I've got to take drastic actions sooner or later.


[Edit:]
I use binders for gaming as well, primarily at school when I want to bring a lot of games but want to use only a little space. Theft and condition issues are heightened, of course, but there are easy ways around that. It's nice to have everything at hand and yet only take up a minimal amount of room but sometimes you just don't have any additional space for the old jewel cases/DVD cases, manuals, and whatnot.

If you REALLY want to use the least amount of space possible I'd say go with the binders. You tend to get the most bang for your overall buck. But if you want to have something that takes a bit more room (but not too much) and ends up being mostly accessible I suggest the Thinpaks. Easy storage, very reliable, quite inexpensive in bulk.
 
Interesting stuff...but one thing doesnt make sense

If your planning on getting robbed soon, maybe you should invest in better protection than keeping your movies in their original cases as a detterant D:


As for me, right now i use a combo of binders but keep the orginal box/insert on the shelf. Some time down the line though, i wouldnt mind converting to all thinkpak, converting my gba games to DS box/art and then tossing all the original stuff in a box in the closet or basement.
 
This is a very interesting thread. At some point I think I'm going to do this, probably in a few months or something.

Hell, while I'm doing it, maybe I'll make a photo-by-photo guide to help others out.

Here's hoping the PS3/Wii possibly go thinpak with their games. I'd suggest we get the tinier Japanese Gamecube-game sized boxes, but then we wouldn't be able to thinpak them. Though, the shorter height would probably be a worthy offset....mmm.
 
I did this. What I did is took all my covers, scanned them... then made a color coded , numbered system based on console/DVD/music Cd and created the case-end with the text of the title, color coded for system or player, numbered for quick access and copied and pasted the front and back cover on the sides of it in a photo editing software and printed all the covers on A4 glossy paper (You can find at buy.com) and bought a industrial paper cutter and did it professional style.

All of my PS2 / Sega Saturn / Music CDs / Xbox / Xbox360 / 3DO / PS1 / Neo Geo CD / Sega CD / Gamecube are all matching and color coded with an old laptop next to them with an excel spreadsheet to search through and find exactly the item number I'm looking for in 5 secs.
 
Juka, mind giving us a scan?

Additionally, you know I've got like 4-5 threads bookmarked (before I knew about tagging), and one of them is your "PS1/DC -> DVD" covers. :p

At some point I need to organize my list and then go and get all the maetching artwork online and print it all out....seems like a costly endeavor but it'll be worth it.
 
[quote name='Kapwanil'] I use a simple photocutter to easily take off a little bit off the DVD cover so it'll fit easily in the cases. It's a significant amount of cover, to be fair, but it rarely cuts into the graphics or the text on the back. Quick, simple, two packs fit where a single DVD case would before.
[/QUOTE]

This just makes the spines of every cover look awful. If you're gonna do it, and want it to look nice, find places online to get thinpak coverart, scan in the art you have an create a new spine, or just cut front and back of the cover and leave the spine blank. Cutting the edges of the front and back is just going to look awful and then the spine will run over both sides, and you probably wont be able to read what movie it is when the thinpaks are on the shelf.
 
[quote name='sman113']This just makes the spines of every cover look awful. If you're gonna do it, and want it to look nice, find places online to get thinpak coverart, scan in the art you have an create a new spine, or just cut front and back of the cover and leave the spine blank. Cutting the edges of the front and back is just going to look awful and then the spine will run over both sides, and you probably wont be able to read what movie it is when the thinpaks are on the shelf.[/QUOTE]



That really isn't the case at all, out of the movies I did only 3 ended up that way , that is 3 out of 200. It is simply a matter of paying close attention to the spine position while cutting, with a few movies it can't be helped but for the most it turns out fine. As for reading on the shelf, can do it just fine.
 
http://www.shop4tech.com/user.htm?go=view_item&id=2869&cata=1&s_cata=97

"Full sleeve for cover art"
- Does this mean it's got room for original sleeve art, w/out any cutting or folding?

If so, it'd be a no-brainer to get a stack of 2-disc slimpacks, even if you don't necessarily need to use both disc holders each time. This would work well with the Farscape 2-discs, or pretty much any 2-disc special edition.

*IF* the original sleeve art actually fits properly in one of these
 
[quote name='Manji']http://www.shop4tech.com/user.htm?go=view_item&id=2869&cata=1&s_cata=97

"Full sleeve for cover art"
- Does this mean it's got room for original sleeve art, w/out any cutting or folding?

If so, it'd be a no-brainer to get a stack of 2-disc slimpacks, even if you don't necessarily need to use both disc holders each time. This would work well with the Farscape 2-discs, or pretty much any 2-disc special edition.

*IF* the original sleeve art actually fits properly in one of these[/QUOTE]

if you think about it, fitting original sleeve art in a thinpak is impossible. Thats the reason they are called thinpaks. they are thinner than the original
 
I used several big wallets through-out the years, and dislike em, from my exp many of them do scuff, the worst ones having a slit in the front of the plastic pouch, so the top part of the pouch above the slit touches the back of the disc and scuffs. Fortunately this only affected a few non burn discs, as i usually keep burns in the wallets.
 
Wow I had no idea my thread would be come so popular. There are a lot of interesting ideas in this thread, I'll have to think more carefully about what I do.

(I am probably going to end up selling a lot of box sets on eBay since they are of mainly TV series that I don't feel I'll ever watch again.)

Oh yeah thanks for the links!
 
if there was a huge site that had convert cover arts for all dvds i would deffiently convert my dvds to thinpacks. but atm i dont need the space so im good.
 
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