Why Do Badly Scratched Dvds Still Work Fine?

GoshenGeek · Jul 8, 2020

Windows 10 Home
HP laptop, 256GB SSD

This post is something I have wondered about for a long time.
We borrow movie DVDs (not BluRay) from our local library. We watch them on a 22" HD monitor attached to our laptop via HDMI. Some of these DVDs are very badly scratched, probably from mishandling by library patrons. Yet the DVDs work just fine. What is it about either the manufacture of the DVDs, the software, or both that enable the badlys cratched DVDs to play without a problem?

plodr · Jul 8, 2020

I suspect it depends how deep the scratch is.
I got a DVD from Netflix a few weeks ago that wouldn't play. I got out the white toothpaste and carefully rubbed it on from the center ring to the outer edge (not in circles but like spokes). I then rubbed off with old t-shirt material. I rinsed the DVD and wiped it again with t-shirt fabric. The DVD then played.

I'm not sure what the toothpaste (it must be white not gel) does. I'm just glad it worked. It was a 40 year old movie that my husband really wanted to see.

Digerati · Jul 8, 2020

plodr said: ↑

I suspect it depends how deep the scratch is.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

As far as the toothpaste, I've been using that trick for years. And yes, it should be the plain white paste, not gel. The reason it often works is simple once you think about it - toothpaste is essentially a very fine polish. And that's what polish does - it smooths and takes out small scratches and blemishes.

BTW, toothpaste works great on watch crystals too.

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Why Do Badly Scratched Dvds Still Work Fine?

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