I received from Amazon the 5-disc Blade Runner set and luckily my disc 5 was the correct workprint.

However, it seems that all of the discs have radial scratches on them, the DVDs especially (not unlike the Battlestar Galactica set). The BDs have some too but they are not as deep. I found this out by examining all of the discs under a spotlight when I noticed a scratch on one of the DVDs. Is everyone else's set like this?

This seems to be a common problem with highdef discs and the new packaging - the packaging machine appears to be too rough with the discs when putting them on the spindle or something.

A number of Blade Runner sets that I opened were plagued with these radial scratches as well. In the end, I was able to put together a nearly mint set (Disc 5 has one minor radial scratch), but it took opening no less than three sets to do it.

I got me briefcase from Amazon.

The 5th disc was completely loose, but wasn't scratched at all. None of the other were loose (or scratched.) Guess I got lucky.

I had to go check mine (HD DVD version) and thankfully it is OK. I did go through three sets before giving up trying to find a disc 5 that wasn't loose in the case and scratched. I currently have the least scratched up of 3 copies. :(

I had two scratched discs in my first set. I had to bitch at Fry's for 25 minutes before they caved in and let me exchange it. They tried to pull the "if it plays we're not replacing it" crap. I was able to mix and match discs between the original set and the new set to get all 5 discs in great condition.

My disc 5 was loose on the BR, but there were no scratches. All the discs were spotless.

Radial or Tangential? Tangential scratches are the spiraling ones and generally worse as far as getting playback to still work... Radial scratches are generally straight lines from the center of the disc to the outside of the disc (not spiraling).

It's sort of counter intuitive, upon first glance of the words.

I had two scratched discs in my first set. I had to bitch at Fry's for 25 minutes before they caved in and let me exchange it. They tried to pull the "if it plays we're not replacing it" crap. I was able to mix and match discs between the original set and the new set to get all 5 discs in great condition.

1st set - scratched disc 5
2nd set - scratched discs 1 and 5 (5 in this one was better than the first, but the first disc looked like someone carved it with a knife! :eek: I didn't check disc 1 when I left the store with this set, as it was still in it's hub - so I assumed it was alright.)
3rd set - scratched disc 3? and 5 (Kept 3 discs from this set and 3? and 5 from the previous set)

Major quality control issues here. Do machines snap the discs in or do people do so? Also, if the thin hubs are the reason, they need to alter them slightly so that the discs don't pop out or put these multi-disc flapper releases in some different kind of case. Saved space isn't worth it if the discs are loose in the case before you even buy them. :(

I have to say that I'm always worried about these multi disc sets. Nearly every time I get one something is rattling around in there. With Blade Runner my 5th disc was loose in the case. No scratches on it that I saw but I didn't check all the others. I'll have to look in a little while.

How do you know if disc 5 is the right workprint?

Radial or Tangential? Tangential scratches are the spiraling ones and generally worse as far as getting playback to still work... Radial scratches are generally straight lines from the center of the disc to the outside of the disc (not spiraling).

Based on that definition, the scratches my sets had were mostly tangential in nature.

The scratches on all five of my discs were spiral in nature. As in, they were short curved lines that line up exactly with the edge of the disc (which I would have called radial). If they were longer and more numerous, they'd look like the grooves of an LP.

All five of my discs load but I haven't been able to watch everything to make sure it plays without error. QA on this release was just flat out horrible.

I also had a disc with the same marks/scratches on it (just one). Also, one of my discs actually had fingerprints on it... :confused: and I know I definitely didn't put them there. I would've thought the insertion in the case was automatic (doubt that) or at least inserted by a person wearing gloves...

I have the BD version and all 5 disks are fine. I was scared for a minute, had to check WHEW.

I have to say that I'm always worried about these multi disc sets. Nearly every time I get one something is rattling around in there. With Blade Runner my 5th disc was loose in the case. No scratches on it that I saw but I didn't check all the others. I'll have to look in a little while.

How do you know if disc 5 is the right workprint?

This is my luck also whenever I purchase box-sets, be it DVD or HD DVD / Blu ray. I got a "free" replacement from Amazon when I reported my set arriving scratched. For me it was disc 3 and 5. The second set arrived and it was virtually flawless, so I passed on the slightly scratched copy to my sister. Thankfully disc one (the most important one) was perfect in both sets.:)

-Murray

This is my luck also whenever I purchase box-sets, be it DVD or HD DVD / Blu ray. I got a "free" replacement from Amazon when I reported my set arriving scratched. For me it was disc 3 and 5. The second set arrived and it was virtually flawless, so I passed on the slightly scratched copy to my sister. Thankfully disc one (the most important one) was perfect in both sets.:)

-Murray

That replacement wasn't free. If Amazon doesn't get a set returned to them within 30 days, you'll be charged for it... unless they specifically told you, for some odd reason, that you could keep both sets at no additional charge.