help save a scratched dvd

[davemchine]

I have a dvd that I want to save. It has small light scratches mostly on the outer edge. I tried ripping but it gives a vob error at the end. Used windex. Same thing. Anybody have some dvd saving secrets out there?

Dave

[troywellbuilt]

My friendly local video store has a machine for such jobs. They will clean a DVD you bring in for $2.00. I think you don't pay if they can't fix it, too.

[papercup]

Toothpaste (the white paste, not gel)

Gently rub out the scuff.

Or Pledge furniture polish (fills the micro-grooves)

Or try another DVD drive, I have a Pioneer that'll read the most scratched media you have ever seen,

[RAMd®d]

You might be able to lighlty polish some scratches just with a soft cloth.

Whether you use it or combine it with something *very lightly* abrasive, rub from the center to the edge, rotate the disk, and again rub from the center to the edge.

Any "polishing" that leaves swirls concentric with the disk runs the risk of further damage.

[MikeF]

I'll also second the "try another drive". I've had disks not readable in one that work perfectly fine in another...

[guod]

I bought a Data Dr CD & DVD repair device a few years ago. I have actually repaired an unplayable DVD. (unfortunately it was "Pearl Harbor") but none the less, the scratched DVD was repaired.

I have the manual version, not the fancy schmancy electrical model

Doug

[Baby Tats]

This is the one instance when I believe it is not unethical to download a movie using bittorent. I actually bought a new DVD once that had fallen off the spindle in the case and was unplayable. I tried to exchange it, but they wouldn't give me full credit- only 80%. I downloaded a pirated copy, burned it to DVD, and put it in the case. I never lost any sleep about it either.

[ztirffritz]

Have you tried to rip it with other programs? Other computers? I've found that my Linux box does a great job of ripping DVDs, while my Mac occasionally stumbles.