This machine is not for the casual user who thinks they can skip the instructions and recover any disc. Especially with Blu-Rays, you can easily get yourself in trouble!
Sorry, this review is a little long. If you're a TL;DR type of person, don't get this machine! You'll probably hose your discs because you missed something important in the instructions.
I collect CDs, and rip them to my phone and NAS for convenience, but keep the physical media because physical media is good! Ripping CDs and then selling them is a copyright violation (probably... I'm not a lawyer), and sucks because you don't have the artwork, liner notes and the physical disc to handle! Physical media is good!
If I'm honest, most of my problem discs that I've purchased have only needed to be washed with soap and water, then dried with a lint free cloth, or even a hand towel. Some, however, need a little more. A light polish fixes a lot of them. Then there are those stubborn problem discs... If you're looking at this machine, either you're handling a lot of used discs or you just need to take better care of yours.
I started with a much less expensive Aleratek CD / DVD repair system, which did a good job restoring some discs, but there were a handful that were not recoverable. I saved those, and when I had problems with a recent CD purchase, I decided to get this machine to recover that disk, and then I'd try to recover all my "hopeless" discs that I was not able to recover with the Aleratek.
It turns out, I probably didn't need this monster machine to fix anything, but it does do a great job of making discs shiny! A couple of polish cycles and your scratched but playable disc becomes more saleable.
This machine is messy. The reason the works are in a "tub" like box and you're required to close the lid is, it will splatter polish everywhere inside, and when you're done with your sessions, you'll have a white, green, and blue mess that looks like frosting off a birthday cake. (Don't taste it! It's not frosting!) I wish there was a provision to rinse out the inside with water, but I haven't seen any indication that the mechanism is water proof. I recommend using it near a sink so you can easily rinse the polish off your discs between stages and when you're finished. My Aleratek was fine right next to my PC where I do my ripping.
Also, because of the splatter, it's difficult to change pads or remove the CD without getting "frosting" on your hands. (It's not frosting!)
This machine gets hot in use! The friction generated by that fast spinning polishing wheel makes me worry about the CD, so I recommend letting it cool between cycles. This is another reason to wash the disc between polishing cycles.
This machine may be used in stores that sell discs (CDs, DVDs...), and some may offer to repair your discs for you, for a fee. Make sure the person repairing your disc knows how to use the machine, keeps it clean, and keeps it stocked with good pads and polish.
Here are my impressions and learnings from using this machine, along with some tips you may find useful:
I was NOT able to save ANY of the discs that I had already given up on, but in fairness, some of them were so bad I resorted to manually sanding them with up to 7000 grit wet / dry paper before I got the JFJ. (Only do this once you've already given a disc up for dead. Patience and a light touch are very important if you're sanding a CD!)
RULE ONE: TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR CDS, DVDS, AND ESPECIALLY YOUR BLU-RAY DISCS!
Rule 2: READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND THEM! If you're busting out the sandpaper on this machine, there is a good chance your disc will never come back. (Did you read in the manual where it says only sand for 10 SECONDS?) Make sure the scratch or defect is actually on the playing side before sanding! NEVER SAND Blu-Ray discs.
I've seen some horrible photos in previous reviews, and I can address some of them here:
Blu-Ray discs being destroyed! Unlike CDs, a Blu-Ray has the data layer right on the playing surface. Sandpaper will definitely destroy that data layer, and you should NEVER sand a Blu-Ray! (You should have taken better care of it, or if you bought it that way, gotten a refund.) I've never had to recover a Blu-Ray, so my comments end there, but I did research why they are so easily destroyed.
CDs have a very thick layer of poly-carbonate on the playing side because the actual data is right under the label side. (CDs are very vulnerable to scratches on the label which can go right to the data and kill it.) DVDs have a thinner layer of polycarbonate because the data layer is in the middle of the disc instead of the top surface by the label. (Do a search for CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray layers to see how they're made.)
There are also horrible photos of excessive wear on the innermost or outermost portion of the disk after polishing. This is caused by not following the instructions on first use of the polishing pads, which you have to thoroughly coat with the polishing compound on the first use. You also have to realize that the outer edge of the polishing pad hits the inner part of the disc, and the inner edge of the polishing pad hits the outermost edge of the disc.
You'll notice that if you have a lot of discs (or like me, are making multiple attempts to save really bad discs), the pads will wear down pretty quickly.
I will say this about this machine: It does a great job of polishing up a disk to make it look shiny! This is what you want, of course, because you don't want any surface defects to obstruct or diffract the laser beam as it's reading the disc. I was able to get one disc back down to a low number of errors that it had before I tried the more aggressive pads on the Aleratek, but the more I futzed around with that disk, the worse it got, so you have a limited number of tries to fix a CD before it's shot.
There are a few problems with CDs that no machine can fix.
I have some that, after getting the playing surface as polished as it can be, I noticed small scratches on the label side. If you can see those scratches on the playing side also, the disc is hosed. Seeing the scratches on the label side early on can save you the hassle of even trying to polish it!
Some scratches appear to be on the playing surface, but persist after multiple sandings and polishing. Then you stare at them a while and realize they're right on the data (metal) layer of the disc, even when you can't see it on the label side! Again, you're hosed.
Some discs look perfect in every way, and are as shiny and "minty" as when they were sold, and yet they still won't rip error free. (Some will still play because of error correction, but some others won't.) These may be manufacturing defects or "CD rot", which is usually visually obvious. (Search for "CD rot" online.)
My recommendation is to try the polishing steps alone, exactly as the instructions tell you. Remember that the blue polish, called #1 is actually the SECOND step, and the white polish, called #2 is actually the FIRST step. (Deduct points for ease of use there!)
Even if you still see some scratches, try to rip or play the CD anyway. It may be "good enough" to play or rip without errors.
If you're still having problems, then try the "soft" (1200 grit) sandpaper disc, but ONLY if you see obvious deep scratches that you think require the playing surface to be sanded, then do the polishing steps again. (I have a Beastie Boys CD that looks like it was in a Fight for someone's Right To Party, and lost. Very deep scratches and gouges. It lost that fight!)
Realize that once you pull out the sandpaper, you may never come back, and woe on you if you're digging out the "course" (600 grit) paper! (Now you have to take that down with the 1200 grit, and the 2 stages of polishing again and hope you didn't add any scratches in the process!)
Here's another tip: The sandpaper is actually wet or dry type, so after use, you can rinse the sanded material off and let dry for the next use.
If you like fiddling with things, and if you're like those hero doctors on TV ("Live, dammit! You're not gonna die on my watch!"), and if you don't mind reading the instructions and learning from your mistakes, this machine can be fun for you. Or, maybe you don't mind the cleanup after you polish a bunch of discs for sale.
Bottom line: Optical Disc repair machines can only polish, and in extreme cases, sand and then polish a disc to make the optical layer as clean and clear as possible. However, there are a lot of other reasons that can make some discs unrepairable.
Any machine that claims to repair Blu-Rays by polishing probably can't if it's too badly damaged. CDs and DVDs are more repairable, but there are many reasons some are just not!
If you want cheap and simple, get one of those smaller machines that look like a CD player, with those "donut" shaped pads. (The Aleratek was not available when I wrote this. I'd still be using it if I could get replacement pads.)
Good luck!
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From the manufacturer
JFJ Easy Pro Video Game, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray Repair Machine
Product Description
More than 100,000 units sold over the past 10-years to businesses and individuals. The sanding feature enables the Easy Pro to remove deep scratches, gouges, and even the ring of death from Xbox 360 discs. Use as a one-step machine for skipping, fingerprints or light scratches, or as a multi-step machine for deep scratches and gouges.
Repairable Disc Formats
The JFJ Easy Pro machine will clean and resurface anything from a fingerprint to a deep gouge on the following type of discs: Music CDs, CD-ROMs, Sony PlayStation, PSone, PS2, PS3, and PS4 game discs, Microsoft Xbox, xbox360, and xbox one game discs, Nintendo Wii/Wii U, Nintendo GameCube (supplies sold separately), DVD Movies, double-sided DVD, VCD, CDR, DVDR, XBX360, HD DVD, Blu-ray (repairs limited on blu-ray formats) and future Compact Disc based products.
Guarantee
When it comes to repair, it does not matter how deep, or bad the scratches are, JFJ is able to repair it, or your money back! 30-Day 100 percent money back guarantee!
- A simple machine with industrial results. #1 preferred choice, for your home & small business.
- Low cost disc cleaning and repair
- JFJ Easy Pro is a worldwide product
- Blu-ray compatible (repairs limited)
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty covers all parts, labor, and even normal wear and tear. Additional 1 and 5-year extended warranty options available.
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Please try again later.Top reviews from other countries
Steve Morgans
Comes with U.S Plug
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2023
Steve Morgans
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 9, 2023
The Cost is cheaper on Amazon that on Ebay a UK JFJ ive seen for £499 while this cost £340.
Total time it took to arrive from the USA to the U.K was i think 9 days via FEDEX.
I did not know untill today it had a USA Plug on it, so i had to go out and spend more money on a USA-UK-World Plug convertor, luckly it only cost £5 for the convertor.
It come with the items:(1) Repair Machine (2) Easy Pro buffing pads - White (1) 4oz. Easy Pro Solution #1 - Blue (1) 4oz. Easy Pro Solution #2 - White (1) Disc plate ( 2) Easy Pro black sanding pads (3) Coarse sand Paper - Black (3) Soft sand paper - Gray (1) Anti-static spray (1) Cleaning cloth
Nice Color Photo looking instruction Booklet.
I have tried turing it on with the Adaptor and it works i did a 5 Secondsturn onTest, and it was ok.
When buying these you will have to rememeber Parts like Sponge Pads, Sand Paper, and the Polish Componds will be exspensive to replace. ive seen people use Scratch Compunds, T-Way and other Compunds on there JFJ which dont hert the machine and is far cheaper to buy. IF JFJ was to lower there prices, people would not need to buy alternitives.
I have hundreds of games i now need to start going through so they nice in the Boxes for my own personal collections, or for Trades or for Resell.
Images in this review
Aaron
Sorprendido y contento con el resultado
Reviewed in Mexico on September 17, 2023
Aaron
Reviewed in Mexico on September 17, 2023
PD. No utilicen las lijas 600 y 1200 en cds de audio por alguna razón estos dañan permanente el CD de audio si que no es recomendable solo el pulido es más q suficiente gracias
Images in this review
Mr. Nigel Ward
Over-priced and inefficient
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2013Super D
Bit spendy and some cleanup of the machine required, but nothing does a better job
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2018
