Advice on storing DVDs/CDs/DVD-Rs safely?

[JaseSF]

On the bad movies section, there's a thread about how you store your collection but I am wondering if there's any set rules and standard advice for storing your collectables (CDs, DVDs, DVD-Rs) safely...is it really safe to leave your DVDs in those cardboard boxes (for those with snapper cases)? In those Mill Creek cardboard 50/100 Movie Packs? Is it safe to use those DVD carrying cases (I was personally looking at the ones capable of holding 528 discs but felt uncertain as to the safety of the discs although it would significantly increase my space)? Would not stacking said cases horizonatally do damage to your discs?  Would they be fine vertically?

[Criswell]

All my Mill Creeks are in there boxes and all the ones have worked and never skipped. Concerning damage in cases. The chance may increase but if you buy a good one it should be ok. Not sure about vertical stacking but ill assume it would be okay.

[The Burgomaster]

All my DVDs are in their original cases, stored upright on bookshelves.  I've been buying DVDs for about 9 years and I've never had a problem.

[SPazzo]

I always store them in the cases they came with.  Though I have a nasty habit of just leaving the DVD sitting on top of the DVD player when I can't find the case.

[JaseSF]

I have mine currently in their original cases too but well I'm now running out of room...I have my closet almost absolutely filled and on the floor of my closet, I have the boxes stored vertically atop one another 3 levels high. I have a huge DVD cabinet filled to capacity as well as several smaller ones...the carrying case 528 DVD wallets would open up a bit of space but apparently they may not be as reliable for storing DVDs long term from the bit I could gather from a bit of research online...

[Trevor]

Vertical is best for DVDs and VHS's. 

Strange ~ film cans must be stored horizontally. 

[Jack]

I've got mine in the original boxes, stored vertically on my bookshelves.  With those DVD wallets I'd be a bit worried about the discs warping after several years.  You can get those slimline cases if you want to save space, but personally I hate them.  The spine is so skinny you can't read the titles, and I've noticed that they don't necessarily seal around the edges because they're so thin and flimsy. 

A DVD collection takes up a lot of space, but personally I'm kind of proud of that 

[JaseSF]

I've got mine in the original boxes, stored vertically on my bookshelves.  With those DVD wallets I'd be a bit worried about the discs warping after several years.  You can get those slimline cases if you want to save space, but personally I hate them.  The spine is so skinny you can't read the titles, and I've noticed that they don't necessarily seal around the edges because they're so thin and flimsy. 

A DVD collection takes up a lot of space, but personally I'm kind of proud of that 

Yeah Jack that's exactly what I thought giving those wallets a closer look. Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I'm sticking with my current methods although I suspect I'm going to have to put a new shelve or two in my closet eventually. I also could weed out more duplicates I have in my collection.

[The Burgomaster]

I suspect I'm going to have to put a new shelve or two in my closet eventually. I also could weed out more duplicates I have in my collection.

A year or two ago I went online and found a place that was selling a discontinued line of relatively cheap, yet functional, "put 'em together yourself" bookcases.  I think the manufacturer was O'Sullivan or one of those companies whose bookshelves, desks, and stuff are usually sold in Walmart, K-Mart and places like that.  They sell you all the pieces and instructions in a big box and you take it home and assemble it in about 30 minutes.  Anyway, the model I bought was no longer available in stores and the online company couldn't get anymore, so I ordered 4 or 5 of them.  I set a couple of them up right away, but the others stayed in their boxes until very recently when I ran out of shelf space.  Now they are all assembled and I think they are perfect for DVD storage.  The only problem is they don't quite match the slightly better quality "put 'em together yourself" bookcases that I already had set up in my DVD room.  But, hey, I can live with the slight mismatch.