Optical disc packaging
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Optical disc packaging is the packaging that accompanies CDs, DVDs, and other formats of optical media. As a general rule, most such packaging is rigid or semi-rigid and designed to protect the media from scratches and other types of exposure damage.
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[edit] Paper or Tyvek sleeve
The simplest, least expensive package is a paper envelope. More expensive versions add a transparent window to the envelope allowing the disc label to be seen. The envelope can also be made out of spin-bonded polyethylene (trade-named Tyvek); this is both more durable and less abrasive than paper. However, such packaging is rare for commercial releases due to its relative lack of protection compared with other designs, and is primarily limited to promotional and demo discs.
[edit] Jewel case
A jewel case is the original compact disc case that has been used since the compact disc was first released in 1982. It is a three-piece plastic case, measuring 142 mm × 125 mm × 10 mm, which usually contains a compact disc along with the liner notes and a back card. Two opposing transparent halves are hinged together to form the casing, the back half holding a media tray that grips the disc by its hole. All three parts are made of injection-molded polystyrene.
The front lid contains two, four, or six opposing tabs to keep any liner notes in place. The liner notes typically will be a 120 mm × 120 mm booklet, or a single 242 mm × 120 mm leaf folded in half. In addition, there is a back card, 150 mm × 118 mm, between the media tray and the back, usually listing the track names, studio, copyright data and other information the consumer would need to read before purchasing. The back card is folded into a flat U shape, with the sides being visible along the ends of the case. The ends usually have the disc name and artist printed on them, and are designed to label the case when it is stored book-style.
The back media tray snaps into the back cover, and is responsible for securing the disk. In its center is a circular hub of teeth which grip the disc by its hole, this is called a nipple, or certain kinds of these teeth in Xbox 360 game cases is called G.E.O.R.G.E (Graphically Enhanced Open Retainer for Game Esteem). This effectively suspends the disk in the middle of the container, preventing the recording surface from being scratched. Originally, the media tray was constructed of a flexible black polystyrene, but many newer trays use a more fragile transparent polystyrene. This allows the reverse of the back card to be visible, and is usually used for additional artwork.
Jewel cases are occasionally used for DVDs as well as CDs, but generally not for those that contain major film releases. Blank Blu-Ray and HD-DVD media are also most commonly sold in standard-width jewel cases as of early 2007.
[edit] Origin of the name
The name is not derived in any way from containers for jewelry. Instead, the name originates from watchmakers' use of the term jewel to refer generally to a polished hemispherical bearing used in a mechanism (high-quality mechanical watches and clocks commonly use gemstones, typically rubies, for such bearings because of their low friction properties). A jewel case has two molded hemispherical plastic bearings, in its hinges, hence the use of the term "jewel". The case itself is also facetted and transparent like a cut gemstone.
[edit] Weaknesses
The original jewel case structure has a weakness in that the case is hinged on two brittle plastic arms, which often break if the case receives shock or stress. The teeth of the hub holding the disc are also prone to failure. An opposite problem are the tabs which hold the liner notes in place; sometimes, especially with larger booklets, the tabs grip the booklet too tightly, leading to tearing. Likewise, when replacing the booklet it can get snagged and crumple up or rip. As noted above some CD releases have only two tabs, which allows the booklet to be easily removed and replaced (at the small cost of the booklet sometimes falling out if held the wrong way).
[edit] Variations
Double albums can either be packaged in a normal jewel case with a hinged media tray (which can be lifted up to reveal the second disc, and is even more breakable than the lid) or in a double jewel case (Sometimes called a Multi CD Jewel Case), which is the size of two normal jewel cases put together and can hold 4 or some versions even 6 CDs. The latter do not fit in most CD racks; however, the design of these cases (with a small gap between the two normal sized trays) allows them to fit in specially designed racks.
The intended successor, which is now gaining ground, is the "Super Jewel Box", a more advanced design which offers (amongst other improvements) a greatly strengthened hinge area. Unfortunately the Super Jewel Box cannot be used as a direct replacement for the older jewel case design, as its card insert for the back is slightly different in size. However in many other ways it is an attractive concept and some CD manufacturers (for example the high-end company Linn) are supplying them. The Super Jewel Box was developed by Philips and other CD format developers, originally in a larger format as a DVD case, and then in smaller formats as CD cases.
In the standard CD height, the Super Jewel Box is the conventional case for Super Audio CD; a taller form, midway between CD and DVD-Video size, is the conventional case for DVD-Audio.
A number of other alternatives to the standard jewel case are also seen, including digipak sleeves, and DVD-style larger cases with a more book-like format.
Some DualDiscs are packaged in a jewel case of somewhat different design from the CD version; the inside edge is rounded instead of flat, and the physical position of the disc is moved slightly towards the spine to make room for a latch mechanism. The overall dimensions of a DualDisc case are roughly the same as a standard CD case; however, the hinge mechanism is smaller and cannot be dismantled as easily as on a CD case.
Smaller jewel cases are used for 8cm CD and DVD media; similar cases without the hub are used for MiniDisc and (magnetic) Zip disk media.
[edit] External marketing packaging
In the United States, the jewel box of a music CD was originally packaged for retail sale in a large cardboard box called a longbox in order to fit in store fixtures designed for vinyl records, offer larger space for display of artwork and marketing blurbs, and deter theft. This packaging was much-criticized as environmentally wasteful, and was eventually dropped by most retailers in the mid-1990s, though major record companies continued to ship CDs to wholesale clubs such as Costco and Sam's in longboxes into the twenty-first century.
Around 1994, a couple years after longboxes were all but gone, the top wrap around label sticker started appearing on most CDs in order to make it easier to read what each CD was from the top without having to flip through them; these stickers were usually nothing more than informational labels and rarely would have any use creatively in the marketing of the album. The wrap around sticker also provided an extra seal possibly as another theft deterrent.
This also became an annoyance to most people who had to deal with removing the sticker, often tearing it and/or leaving a residue of the sticker on the jewel case. As a result, various specialty tools are sold to make it easy to quickly cut the sticker in half for easier removal or to make it easier to open the case; in the absence of such tools, a common technique is to partially dismantle the jewel case by removing the front panel from the bottom [1] (video), and then reassembling the case after the sticker is removed. This technique is known to be useful to some hardcore collectors, which carefully remove the sticker, trying not to tear it and using it as a proof of authenticity, attaching it to some face of the jewel case, or to any other surface specially reserved for such endeavour.
A chiefly Japanese packaging is the addition of an obi strip, a strip of paper wound around the side of the case to show details such as the price, artist, etc.
[edit] Slimline jewel case
Slimline jewel cases first gained popularity as cases for European-made CD singles, and have become a common space-saving packaging for burned CD-ROMs. Most are roughly half the thickness of a standard CD jewel case, allowing twice as many CDs to be stored in the same space. They generally do not have room for a full package insert booklet, only a slip of paper for a track listing or cover art; also unlike the standard jewel cases, slimline cases are made of two pieces rather than three and do not have a place for a back label. Slimline jewel cases typically have dimensions of 142 mm × 125 mm × 5 mm.
The bulk of slimline cases are made with translucent or transparent plastic, and are often available in multiple colors. Also, the hinge mechanism is inverted compared to the standard-width case, with the pivot arms being attached to the lower part of the case rather than the clear cover side.
Most slimline cases are made from the same fragile polystyrene, the same material as full-sized jewel cases. A stronger alternative is made from semi-opaque, semi-flexible polypropylene, strong enough to protect the disc, but flexible enough not to break easily.
Some early CD-RW media was packaged in slimline cases that were actually somewhat wider than typical half-width cases; while they reduced the amount of space required in a free-form storage container, they still fit only one to a slot in a standard CD rack.
[edit] Digipack
A digipack is a generic term for any cardboard CD case, stemming from the trademarked Digipak, which is a jewel-case-style plastic CD tray glued inside a folding cardboard "case." The term has been appropriated to generally refer to any cardboard-based CD packages, not necessarily Digipaks themselves. Originally thought of as a more environmental alternative to jewel boxes, they are still used less than jewel boxes due to higher construction costs and decreased durability compared to jewel cases.
A taller form has been used for some DVD movie releases; it is essentially identical to the CD package, though with raised top and bottom sections to keep the disc from sliding out if it comes disengaged from the hub.
[edit] Discbox Slider
The Discbox Slider (also called DBS) is a disc packaging concept in 100% carton board, found both in CD and DVD sized packaging formats. The DBS is comparable with plastic jewel or amaray cases when it comes to size but holds more of the features of the LP style cases in terms of light weight and printability. The DBS case opens up from the side by moving the slider part (on which the disc is resting) from the sleeve. The Discbox Slider is also considered as one of the most environmental friendly CD or DVD packaging options as it is 100% recyclable.
[edit] LP style case
A recent trend in CD packaging has been packaging CDs in sleeves comparable to LPs. Many of these albums come from Japan. However, a few American albums are given LP-style packaging, such as Morrissey's live album Live at Earls Court, The Who's compilation Then and Now, and R.E.M.'s 2-disc version of their greatest hit package, In Time. A similar packaging type was also used for Phish's 1995 live release A Live One, with the CDs inserted into interior slots perpendicular to the spine rather than the ends. The Beatles' White Album 25th Anniversary re-release was released as essentially a scaled down version of the original release, including card wallets housing the CDs, which in turn slot into the LP-style folder. Unlike the original release, the album was also provided with a plastic protective cover for the package. While some new albums are given the treatment, many of these albums were older albums that were released back when records were still the predominant medium. A more recent use of this style of CD packaging was featured on the Beatles' "Capitol Albums" series.
The downside to this format is that unless the disc is given a protective sleeve of some sort, the disc can be easily scratched each time it is taken out for play. A more serious issue can also be that if the glue that keeps the sleeve that holds the CD closed on the side closest to the spine (on gatefold covers) weakens, it can get onto CD, rendering it unplayable.
However, the advantages are that album covers that were originally textured, such as Back in Black by AC/DC or Fear of Music by Talking Heads can retain the texturing on the CD release.
Even more recently, CD manufacturers have encased standard CD jewel cases in a cardboard slipcover, to give the appearance of LPs and allow more space for cover art. Vitalic's album OK Cowboy is one example of this style of packaging.
[edit] Keep case
A keep case is the most common type of DVD packaging. According to the Internet Movie Database, as of December 21, 2005, there are 19,155 DVDs with sufficient information in the database that are packaged in a keep case. It is slightly taller than a Jewel case, and is made of much softer, less brittle plastic (polypropylene rather than polystyrene), so it does not break so easily. They can usually hold one or two discs. Slimmer keep cases, so called "Slim-paks" or "Thinpaks" typically used for DVD box sets consisting of the thin keep cases stored in a cardboard box. The thin cases are half as thick and can generally only hold one disc as a result, however there are newer slim cases that have central disc holding teeth on both sides. The teeth are made in such a way that when the case is closed, they go between the gaps in between the teeth on the other side. These are the type of case used for the recently re-released X-Files cases.
Current (early 2007) prerecorded Blu-Ray and HD-DVD titles ship in packages similar to but slightly smaller than a standard DVD keep case, generally with the format prominently displayed in a horizontal stripe across the top of the case (red for HD-DVD, blue for Blu-Ray, and clear for Playstation 3 Blu-Ray).
[edit] DVD box sets
There are several different types of DVD box sets. The most common one, used mainly for films, has a cardboard outer sleeve, and inside, folds out to reveal several plastic trays for the DVDs similar to digipacks.
[edit] Cake boxes and other bulk packaging
Blank CD and DVD media are often sold in bulk packages called spindles or, less formally, cake boxes. This type of packaging consists of a round, clear plastic cup that mates bayonet-style to a base with a central post that holds a stack of discs; dummy discs made of clear polycarbonate with no recording surface are often packed on the ends of the stack to avoid scratches from contact with the hard plastic of the packages. Such packages have been designed to hold anywhere from ten up to 100 discs, and offer the user multiple options for packaging the finalized disc.
Due to the considerable expense of blue-laser media, blank Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVDs are not yet (as of early 2007) widely sold in cake boxes.
TDK has begun selling some of its blank media in what it refers to as "Snap n' Save" cases (press release), essentially polyethylene cases designed to hold up to ten discs in a package; TDK claims a tighter seal and more protection for the contained media.
Finally, some bulk packages of blank media forego a permanent container completely, instead using a simple blister pack for small numbers of media, or bundling large numbers of discs in shrink wrap to reduce waste.
[edit] Unique cases
- Probably the most uniquely designed CD case was a special edition case for the 1994 Flintstones movie soundtrack. The case was in the shape of a stone that could be opened to reveal the CD inside.
- Noise music and video as a rule pursues innovative packaging as central to its aesthetic of DIY, anti-commercial, gestural art. Most notably Brazilian Wax has done coarse foam packaging that had to be destroyed to be opened. Resipiscent records released Quaak Muttar by bran(...)pos inside a fully functioning pachinko machine with a spring-loaded plunger protruding from the spine.
- Another uniquely designed CD case was for a CD released in the UK called "The Apple EP," which contained four tracks, each performed by artists signed to Apple Records. The case, which was made of three pieces of cardboard, was shaped like an apple, and was held together by a plastic rivet. This allowed each of the three pieces to fan out and rotate. The CD itself was housed in the center of the second piece of cardboard.
- British band Spiritualized became famous for their unique CD packaging. Their 1997 album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space came in a pharmaceutical-style blister pack, whilst its follow-up, Let It Come Down, was distributed in a moulded plastic case featuring a concave relief of the lead singer's girlfriend.
- The Tri-Slim CD Jewel Case is another one-of-a-kind type of case. This case employs a standard size double CD jewel case and a precision card. The card is slipped into the front side of the case (where the booklet normally goes) and holds the 3rd disc in place. Many feel the Tri-Slim CD Jewel Case is preferable triple slim case to the traditional type because it does not obstruct the rear trayliner card.
- One-piece polyethylene cases of various shapes are sometimes used for disc storage, though these tend to lack space for labels and booklets and are not commonly used for commercial releases.
[edit] See also
- Computer and video game packaging
- Tri-Slim CD Jewel Case
[edit] External links
- Philips' corporate page on the history of the jewel case
- Andreas Lenz's DVD - Case Types page A good general guide.
- DVDLog.de DVD-Caseguide—primarily concerned with types of keep case hubs.
- Jake Kesinger's DVD Cases and Hub Images—another page concerned with types of keep case hubs, as well as other case types.
- DVD Covers Fuzion—Replacement cover art for your DVD cases.
- Online CD/DVD Inserts creator.
