What is Disc Repair?
Disc repair involves the restoration of all formats of compact disc to a condition similar to new. TDR supplies a comprehensive range of disc repair machines and accessories and is the European market leader.
How do you fix scratched discs?
The range of machines in our range use one of two repair technologies. The grinding machines gently polish away a very small layer from the bottom surface of a disc - just sufficient to remove any scratches, and is then restored to a mirror finish. This allows the light from the laser to pass cleanly through the disc to the data layer and back to the laser again.
The Venmill machines employ an anti-static technology to heat up the plastic of the bottom surface and then smooth it back over leaving it 100% flat. This process does not take anything away from the disc and is completely clean and safe.
Using our machines you can effortlessly and economically fix discs that skip, freeze or have problems loading.
What kind of damage cannot be repaired?
Warped or broken discs cannot be repaired. Data that is lost due to damage to the foil data layer cannot be replaced although minor damage often does not prevent a scratched audio CD playing back perfectly after repair.
Can every scratched CD be repaired?
There is good news and bad news here. The bad news is that if a scratched CD has damage to the data layer itself there is nothing that can be done to retrieve this data. The data layer is very close to the label side of the disc and so is vulnerable to scratches from the top. To see if the data layer is damaged, hold the disc label side toward you about 20cm from a light bulb. Any pin-pricks of light that show through indicate damage to the data layer. The good news is that discs with minor damage to the data layer often play perfectly after restoration. Naturally, the worse the damage, the less likely it is that the disc can be restored. Most of the companies that offer CD repair will give you a free assessment of whether it is worth repairing the scratches in the CD.
How many times can a disc be repaired?
We conservatively estimate that the machines in our range which repair by gradually grinding away a disc’s layer can repair the same disc at least 15 times. This is generally far in excess of what most discs will experience during their lifetime.
Because the Buffer (insert link) machine does not remove anything from a disc’s layer, the same disc can be repaired indefinitely.
Which formats can be repaired?
The grinding machines can repair every format of disc, including HD DVD and Blu-ray. The buffing machines can repair all formats except Blu-ray, although they are able to clean them.
Why do some DVDs cost more to repair?
Some DVDs are double sided and have to be repaired on both sides for which some disc repair services may charge more.
Why won't my disc play any more?
Put simply, the reason most discs won't play is because the bottom (non-label) surface is scratched. This bounces around the light from the laser that reads the data in the disc. This makes it hard for the player to know where to go next, which is why it either jumps around or gets stuck playing the same section.
Is it safe?
Completely. All the machines and processes we use are tried, tested and patented
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