|
NEWS
Disc-Go-Pod Plus Review
January 26, 2006
TeamXBox / César A. Berardini - "Cesar" |
|
Optical media storage is probably one
of the best inventions of the 20th century. For the first
time in history, we were able to store data in a digital
format at very low costs. Since its invention back in the
70’s, this form of
storage has evolved from the audio-only optical discs invented
by Philips to today’s DVD (a compact disc a higher
storage density) and the upcoming blue laser-based HD-DVD
and Blu-ray Disc.
But no matter the technology, all discs suffer from the same
Achilles' heel: they are susceptible to damage as the result
of suffering scratches, fingerprints, dust, dirt, and the exposure
to intensive temperatures.
Although optical discs can be easily cleaned when they become
dirty, fixing them from scratches is a completely different
story. A scratch can make a disc unreadable and, if profound,
it could completely destroy the data.
Since optical media is present in our daily life and its use is massive nowadays,
the need for a disc repair solution is essential, being that eventually all discs
with get scratched after normal use.
Today we are reviewing a professional disc repair machine, the Disc-Go-Pod Plus.
The Bottom Line
I’ve become skeptical of all manufacturers claims, but
the Disc-Go-Pod Plus is everything it’s cracked up to
be.
I’m still astonished by the results obtained after cleaning
all these discs. Seeing light scratches disappear and getting
a disc that looks as good as one just opened is something you
must see for yourself.
Discs look like new again and only heavy scratches will remain
visible after the Disc-Go-Pod Plus performs its magic.
I have no complaints about the product’s performance;
however, I found a few things that overshadow such an excellent
product.
First, you should be aware that the polish solution tends
to solidify very quickly and occasionally the label side
of the disc gets wet by it, so when cleaning the disc and
applying the spray, make sure you clean both sides.
Second, the front lid opens abruptly after you press the
release catch. That doesn’t matter before a repair
cycle, but after you are done with it, if you open the lid
without placing your hand over it, you’ll end up being
splashed with the polish. Disc-Go-Tech should review the
lid opening mechanism or warn users that the lid should be
opened by tapping it with a hand.
The lack of a funnel is a small, but important detail, because
you’ll definitely need one for maintenance and considering
the price of a small plastic funnel, its absence is unacceptable
for a product that costs $500.
The presence of these particles is not documented and having
to use a strainer was an unexpected need.
Disc-Go-Tech should also include another type of container
for the polish, with a wider base, so one person can drain
the polish without the need of a second person to hold the
container.
Another thing that I’d like the Disc-Go-Pod Plus to
have is a detachable power cable, since the current setup
is really impractical for draining the polish back to a container.
Having mentioning all these issues, I must say that the Disc-Go-Pod
Plus performance is astonishing. I feel like every disc I
repaired was put in a magician’s hat and a rabbit switched
the discs, because every CD and DVD that I put in looked
completely different after the repairing process. Believe
me; you have never seen a disc repair solution like this.
Unfortunately, its price tag ($500) will scare most users
away, but when you consider the machine has the cost of ten
videogames or
twenty music CDs, the price of the Disc-Go-Pod doesn’t
seem so extreme. By the way, it is worth mentioning that
supplies can be ordered online with a polishing compound
of 100 ml costing $4.95, a set of two polishing pads $9.95
and a 4oz. final spray $6.95.
Who should get this product? Everyone with a large collection
of optical discs, whether those are music, data CDs, videogame,
movie or file backup DVDs. Having the ability to truly repair
a disc, (especially the ones that can’t be copied),
could turn out to be critical, depending on the content of
the disc. How much would you pay to repair a copy of Halo
2 ten years from now?
Forget about those twenty-dollar manual disc repair systems
that resemble a water gun;
if your budget allows you, this is the disc repair system
to get.
Pros
- Performance
- Fixes most discs and restore them to good-as-new condition
- Automated, hands-free repairing solution
- Easy to use
To read the entire unedited article, please click here
|
