Several of my Prince CDs (inc. Prince, 1999, D&P, TGE, etc.) are getting "disc rot" (also known as "CD rot" and "laser rot"). Tiny pinprick holes that appear on the data layer. Once they get big enough, they can cause nasty skips or make the whole disc damn near unplayable. They're all discs that I got from BMG Music Club back around 1997 or so. Has this happened to anyone else? Any disc rot in Prince CDs? Or other discs from BMG Music Club?

This totally fucking sucks. I hate the thought of having to buy new copies of these albums...grr....especially the OOP ones like TGE! Awful. I recently transferred them all to iTunes, so maybe I'll have to make archival copies soon or something.


Damn CDs...I just want a dependable format for archiving!

first! hi, ks!

KingSausage said:

I away thought that Music club cd's were cheap versions of the actual record company cd's, hence the sales price.

seanski said:

Indeed, they are... In fact, even the audio quality is not always as good as the RealThing(tm). Years ago, I purchased George Michael's Faith album from a used CD store. After getting home I noticed it was a Columbia House product and the audio volume on the CD seemed "low". Later, I purchased a normal, new CD and it was a night and day difference in the volume.

My 1999 New master has "rotted", with the playing surface going a patching brass colour. the music now has a lot of static on. (insert joke here!)

I've found it has happened to a lot of CDs in cardboard sleeves.

I've also found that a lot of my early CDRs are degrading already. even good quality discs. Some of them will soon be unplayable.

I've started to back everything up on a 250Gb external hard drive.

There is a bacteria that likes to eat the tinfoil type stuff in the CD that the data is actually printed on.

i should check my cds and see if any of 'em are beginning to rot...i don't play 'em often, so i'm thinking that they'll be alright.

I have started to scan and "re-make" some digi pack sleeves, to try and avoid the cardboard rot.

Has anyone else noted how bad the "yellowing" is on the Rave Un2 cover already, especially if you sit it next to In2 in the mormal cover

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

It isn't about playing them. You could play a CD until the cows come home and it wouldn't effect the CD.

The Rot is a bacterum that feeds on the foil between the plastic on the disk.

Proper storage and conditions can make your CD's last forever no matter how many times you play them.

For Example: if you notice the rot happening, remove it from the other CDs' it's a bacteria.

I've never heard of this whole bacteria thing...

Hence another reason why vinyl is the superior format (in my humble opinion). Over the past few years I've been replacing all of my 80s & 90s CDs with vinyl, if a vinyl version exists.

Jeff

www.jeffreyanderson.blogspot.com

ABeautifulOne said:

I learned about it while in college for the study of computer science. It was a side note in a class when the discussion turned into data storage

I've followed many, many discussions about rot with DVDs, laser discs, and CDs, but have never heard it's bacteria. It's usually chalked up to as being the result of the lamination used to seal the various parts of discs together. Sometimes the laminate lets in moisture, other times it itself is the problem. Perhaps bacteria is a part of this. However, I take immaculate care of all my discs. That's not the problem, and usually isn't for people affected by rot. It's pretty random.

KingSausage said:

Improper storage and substandard production

KingSausage said:

[Bait snip - stop the baiting - luv4]

I thought this only happned to laserdiscs....

MickG said:

The production I'd believe. But my storage could hardly get better unless I kept my discs in a freakin' saferoom. Trust me, that's not the problem. I think it's these cheap discs made by music clubs.

On the other hand, I've had even more severe rot on two other discs that were NOT from clubs -- "No Security" by the Stones and Disc 3 of Dylan's "Biograph." My collection is fairly large (maybe 1,500+ CDs), and I've only had this problem on a small number. But when it's there, it's VERY noticeable.

Thank god for MP3s, I guess. It's kind of sad that my official copy of TGE might die though...(why couldn't it be 1999: The New Master?!? No justice!)




(BTW -- What is "baiting?" Was someone getting on my nutz about something, or what?)

Keeping them in a cool, dry place with no sunlight is the best thing you can do. Fortunately for me, that describes my basement where I'm building my office.

ufoclub said:

Sadly, no. It's starting to be a nasty problem for many poorly produced DVD-18s (double-sided, dual-layered discs). All such discs appear to be susceptible to some degree of rot; yet another advantage of purely digital storage mediums...long live the MP3!!!

That f*cking sh*t ate my Godfather II DVD. It better not get anywhere near my Prince CDs anytime soon.

Someday CDs will be obsolete. Download, baby...

SquirrelMeat said:

I basically bought extra sealed copies of all his digi pack cd's, in case the 1st cd's I bought get damaged.

calldapplwondery83 said:

There have been lots of reports of problems with the Godfather II DVD and disc rot. So, if it's any consolation, you're not alone!

KingSausage said:

Really? That's interesting. Fortunately, my cousin had bought an ok copy and I copied that one disk.

MickG said:

Dearst Mick, What then is proper storage for a cd?

My copy of "Diamonds and Pearls" is rotting badly and I bought it original issue in the wrekka stow. I've got everything backed up, but it's still kinda sad 2 see it destroyed.

"all good things, they say, never last..."

rainbowchild said:

Except for LPs, which will last forever, as long as you take care of them .

Jeff