BUYER
GUIDES -> Where to buy DVD cases
Be careful when
buying media storage. Much like media, buying the wrong kind
of storage will result in negative experiences. Just like
media, not all storage devices are created equally.
Storage options
You want to find a container that will
not scratch the media or bend the media, and will allow you
easy access to the discs. The discs should go in and out
easily, without scraping across another surface, and will
not require excessive bending or applied force for removal.
Discs are fragile, and can both break and scratch fairly
easily when mishandled. With cases, make sure they close and
are not so flimsy as to open up on their own.
Single DVD cases. These hold one disc, and are what most
DVD movies come in these days. The best brand is AlphaPak.
The can get bulky and stack up quickly. The discs normally
sit on a ring and groove that prevent the bottom from
touching the plastic, preventing scratches.
Double DVD cases. As the name suggests, these hold
two discs. The are similar to a single case, but with
holsters on both sides or a middle flap. Memorex makes really
nice double cases that are sold in retail stores.
 
Triple DVD and larger cases. These are almost like
single cases on steroids. The cases are normally much
thicker and have several flaps or "pages" for DVD
storage. Be careful, as the cheap ones (Alphapak) often bend discs and
the circular storage area is not circular, but oval-shaped.
Most of these have a track for the disc to rest on,
preventing it from scratching against the case. Some of them
are like mini-spindles. The best cases are made by Nexpak,
multi-disc cases with narrow spines.
 
Slim DVD cases. These are fairly new, and DVD sets like
the Twilight Zone and Family Guy come in slims. It holds one
disc and the disc touches the plastic case. It's slim and
convenient, but may results in scratches, as the discs are
sometimes difficult to remove.
 
Sleeves or slip cases. These come in plastic,
wallet-style felt and paper varieties. Some can be put in
notebooks, others made to be put into old-fashioned 5¼
floppy disk trays. These provide no protection to the disc,
merely storage. Be careful of plastic and paper, as they
often scratch the discs.
Wallets. Most wallets are bad. Wallets hold many discs,
but are often constructed poorly. Ideally, you want to find
a wallet that (1) can be opened easily and not always try to
close up while you browse the pages, (2) has a soft felt-like
surface that is not so rough as to cause scratching, (3) is
not going to allow you to scrape the discs against the
zipper, (4) is sturdy enough to accept normal handling, and
(5) tight enough to hold discs but loose enough for easy
removal.
Jewel cases. Most people know what these are. They come
in traditional and slim varieties. The drawback to jewel
cases is that they too, take up space, but unlike the
plastic DVD cases, can easily break do to the glass-like
plastics. Some traditional-sized ones let the disc touch the
bottom of the cases, others do not. Most slims touch. Some
traditional-sized ones (like the ones used by Apple, Memorex
and Maxell) allow 2-3 discs to be stacked inside in the
spindle-like holder.
 
Spindles. Bulk discs typically comes on spindles.
They allow easy storage for massive amounts of discs, but
inconvenient to browse. Contrary to popular belief, the
discs should not touch, and are in fact resting on the hub. The cake-box style cases are
flimsy and break easily. Better brands like Maxell, TDK and
Verbatim often come in high quality spindles.
Suggested
stores
- Effectuality.com:
Excellent selection of multi-disc cases, at great
prices. Warehouse apparently based in Canada, but ships to
both USA and Canada.
- SuperMediaStore.com:
Nice selection of cases, at excellent prices. Keep an eye out for media/case combo
deals for the best possible prices.
- American-digital.com:
Excellent selection of multi-disc cases, such as the
M-lock cases, and at great
prices.
- Fry's
Electronics, Outpost.com: Great prices on what they have
available, mostly the Meritline brand and some retails
branded
- Shop4tech.com: Decent selection of storage
supplies and at a decent price.
- Meritline.com: Good
selection of cheap cases. They typically have great deals on
media-case combos.
- GenesysDTP.com:
Decent
selection of cases.
- USPlastics.com: Lots of cases, and at okay prices.
Be sure to order more than you need, as USPlastics is known
to ship in the smallest boxes possible, and cases can get
damaged in transit.
- TapeAndMedia.com:
Cheap prices and a great
selection.
- TheTapeCompany.com:
Nice selection, only top quality
products, no cheap stuff here. This is where I get my
AlphaPak singles.
- Walmart, walmart.com:
Carries a small variety of cases at a decent price. Jewel cases, standard and slim DVD cases, and lots of
wallets for cheap. You can often find some of this in the
clearance racks.
- Staples, staples.com:
Staples carries several retail brand cases, like Memorex, as
well as their own Staples brand.
Not
suggested
- Americal.com: The products pictured are not what they
have available. It has often been reported that the cases
that were received were completely different than what was
ordered. Refunds are a hassle.
- SleeveTown.com: They have a lot of products, but
they are very expensive, sometimes two to three times more
costly than
competitors.
Page Last Updated: June 18th 2006
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