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{{refimprove|date=January 2008}}
{{refimprove|date=January 2008}}
[[Image:Amaray-case.jpg|thumb|Standard black keep case]]
[[Image:Amaray-case.jpg|thumb|Standard black keep case]]
A '''keep case''' or '''poly-box''' is a type of packaging, most commonly used with [[DVD]]s (and sometimes [[Compact Disc|CDs]]).
A '''keep case''' or '''poly-box''' is a type of packaging, most commonly used with [[DVD]]s and [[Blu-ray]] videos (and sometimes [[Compact disc|CDs]]).


Besides [[DVD-Video]] films, keep cases are very common with most disc-based video games since the [[PlayStation 2]], and they are also found on many [[Personal computer|PC]] titles and [[MP3]]-CD [[audiobook]]s (all use discs that are the same basic dimensions as a DVD).
Besides [[DVD-Video]] films, keep cases are very common with most disc-based video games since the [[PlayStation 2]], and they are also found on many [[Personal computer|PC]] titles and [[MP3]]-CD [[audiobook]]s (all use discs that are the same basic dimensions as a DVD).


==Products using keep cases==
==Products using keep cases==
[[File:The styles of Keep cases.jpg|thumb|Styles of keep cases: [[DVD]], [[Blu-ray]], [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]], [[PlayStation 2]] ([[Essentials (PlayStation)|Platinum]]), [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Wii]], and [[Nintendo Switch]] ]]
The first products to be released in keep cases were [[VHS]] tapes,{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} though most were stored in less expensive [[pressboard]] sleeves. In the days before video games were released on [[optical]] media, cartridges would rarely come packaged in specially designed plastic keep cases with lugs inside to hold the instruction manual, as opposed to pressboard boxes. Cartridges and cards for the [[Sega Master System]] platform were the first video games to be packaged in any kind of keep case. The vast majority of [[Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]] games would come in a plastic keep case (roughly the size of a VHS case), but they were later packaged in pressboard boxes as a cost-cutting measure. Before the standard and commonly used DVD case was invented, early CD-ROM-based video games such as [[Sega CD]] and early [[PlayStation]] titles would often come in a thicker and taller [[jewel case]]. These have been reputed to break very easily. Since the PlayStation 2, most major console-based video game software is packaged in some sort of keep case, including [[Nintendo DS]] cartridge titles and [[PlayStation Portable|Sony PSP]] titles.
The first products to be released in keep cases were [[VHS]] tapes,{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} though most were stored in less expensive [[pressboard]] sleeves. In the days before video games were released on [[optical disc|optical]] media, cartridges would rarely come packaged in specially designed plastic keep cases with lugs inside to hold the instruction manual, as opposed to pressboard boxes. Cartridges and cards for the [[Master System]] platform were the first video games to be packaged in any kind of keep case. The vast majority of [[Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]] games would come in a plastic keep case (roughly the size of a VHS case), but they were later packaged in pressboard boxes as a cost-cutting measure. Before the standard and commonly used DVD case was invented, early CD-ROM-based video games such as [[Sega CD]] and early [[PlayStation]] titles would often come in a thicker and taller [[optical disc packaging#Jewel case|jewel case]]. These have been reputed to break very easily. Since the PlayStation 2, most major console-based video game software is packaged in some sort of keep case, including [[Nintendo DS]] cartridge titles and [[PlayStation Portable|Sony PSP]] titles.

{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header"
|+Full size
|+Full size
|-
|-
! Product !! Color !! Size !! Notes
! Product !! Color !! Size !! Notes
|-
|-
| [[Compact disc|Audio CD]] discs || Majority black, all other colors possible || 142mm x 125mm x 9.9mm || Usually for audiobooks and student educational materials issued after mid 2000s. ||
| [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Audio CD]] discs || Majority black, all other colors possible || 142mm x 125mm x 9.9mm || Usually for audiobooks and student educational materials issued after mid 2000s.
|-
|-
| [[Video CD]] discs || Majority black, all other colors possible ||
| [[Video CD]] discs || Majority black, all other colors possible || ||
|-
|-
| [[DVD]] videos || Majority black, all other colors possible || 190mm x 135mm x 15mm || Case thickness varies, athough typically 15mm.
| [[DVD]] videos || Majority black, all other colors possible || 190mm x 135mm x 15mm || Case thickness varies, although typically 15mm.
|-
|-
| [[Blu-ray]] videos || Blue, Black || 171.5mm x 135mm x 13mm || Rarely for individual discs. Used primarily for some Blu-ray/DVD combo packs.
| [[Blu-ray]] videos || Blue or black || 171.5mm x 135mm x 13mm || Rarely for individual discs. Used primarily for some Blu-ray/DVD combo packs.
|-
|-
| [[Personal computer|PC]] [[CD-ROM]] games || Majority black or clear, all other colors possible || Usually for CD-ROM games issued after mid 2000s.
| [[Personal computer|PC]] [[CD-ROM]] games || Majority black or clear, all other colors possible || || Usually for CD-ROM games issued after mid 2000s.
|-
|-
| [[PC DVD-ROM]] games || Majority black or clear, all other colors possible ||
| PC DVD-ROM games || Majority black or clear, all other colors possible || ||
|-
|-
| [[Master System]] My Card games || Black ||
| [[Master System]] My Card games || Black || ||
|-
|-
| [[PlayStation]] games || Navy blue || Only used for 1 game in the United States, [[Metal Gear Solid (1998 video game)|Metal Gear Solid]] as part of a set.
| [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] games || Navy blue || || Only used for one game, ''[[Metal Gear Solid (1998 video game)|Metal Gear Solid]]'' in the United States as part of a set.
|-
|-
| [[PlayStation 2]] games || Navy blue or black <ref>(Blue in PAL regions for 2001 onwards, Silver for [[Essentials (PlayStation range)|Platinum]] releases, Red for Games that require Buzz controllers or NTSC Greatest hits, White for Singstar games and Gran Tourismo 2, Metal Gear Solid 2 has a clear case)</ref> || Most contain a memory card slot
| [[PlayStation 2]] games || Navy blue or black{{efn|group=full|Blue in PAL regions from 2001 onward, silver for [[Essentials (PlayStation)|Platinum]] releases, red for games that require Buzz controllers or NTSC Greatest Hits, white for Singstar games and ''Gran Turismo 2'', clear for ''Metal Gear Solid 2''}} || || Most contain a memory card slot
|-
|-
| [[Sega Dreamcast]] games || Black or orange || Select titles in Japan only
| [[Dreamcast]] games || Black or orange || || Select titles in Japan only.
|-
|-
| [[Nintendo GameCube]] games || Black<ref>Some games have variant colors in PAL regions such as blue ([[Super Mario Sunshine]]), red ([[Mario Kart: Double Dash!]]) or silver ([[Nintendo Selects|Player's Choice]] titles)</ref> || North America/Europe. Most contain a memory card slot
| [[GameCube]] games || Black{{efn|group=full|Some games have variant colors in PAL regions such as blue (''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''), red (''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash]]''), or silver ([[Nintendo Selects|Player's Choice]] titles).}} || || North America/Europe. Most contain a memory card slot.
|-
|-
| [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] games || Lime Green<ref>[[Platinum Hits]] (North America) come in Silver, whereas Xbox Classics (PAL regions) in green, Xbox Magazine demos in slim clear cases</ref> ||
| [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] games || Lime green{{efn|group=full|[[Platinum Hits]] (North America) come in silver, Xbox Classics (PAL regions) in green, Xbox Magazine demos in slim clear cases.}} || ||
|-
|-
| [[Xbox 360]] games || Translucent lime green<ref>Platinum Hits games come in translucent grey, and Kinect games in translucent purple, Xbox Magazine demos and Scene It: Lights, Camera, Action in slim clear</ref> ||
| [[Xbox 360]] games || Translucent lime green{{efn|group=full|Platinum Hits games come in translucent grey, [[Kinect]] games in translucent purple, Xbox Magazine demos and ''[[Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action]]'' in slim clear.}} || ||
|-
|-
| [[Wii]] games || White<ref>some games have variant colors such as red ([[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]), yellow ([[Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]) and black ([[Pandora's Tower]])</ref> ||
| [[Wii]] games || White{{efn|group=full|Some games have variant colors such as red (''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]''), yellow (''[[Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games]]''), and black (''[[Pandora's Tower]]'' in Japan).}}|| ||
|-
|-
| [[Wii U]] games || Bright cerulean<ref>some games have variant colors such as red (the U.S. Version of [[Mario Kart 8]]; the U.S. Version of [[Super Mario Maker]]), green ([[New Super Luigi U]]) and Yellow (the PAL Version of [[Super Mario Maker]])</ref> ||
| [[Wii U]] games || Bright cerulean{{efn|group=full|Some games have variant colors such as red (the U.S. version of ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and the U.S. version of ''[[Super Mario Maker]]''), green (''[[New Super Luigi U]]''), and yellow (the PAL version of ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'').}} || ||
|}
|}
{{notelist|group=full}}

{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header"
|+Smaller size
|+Smaller size
|-
|-
! Product !! Color !! Notes
! Product !! Color !! Notes
|-
|-
| [[Compact disc|Audio CD]] Discs || Translucent orange || Used for some audiobooks and MP3 CD's issued after 2006.
| [[Compact Disc Digital Audio|Audio CD]] discs || Translucent orange or clear || Used for some audiobooks and MP3 CD's issued after 2006.
|-
|-
| [[Video CD]] discs || Majority clear, all other colors possible ||
⚫
| [[DVD]] videos || Black and Clear || Rarely used for single discs, Black cases usually used for bonus features DVD disk in some Blu-ray and HD-DVD movie compilation packs. Clear cases used for some DVD music concert albums.
|-
|-
⚫
| [[DVD]] videos || Black or clear || Rarely used for single discs, Black cases usually used for bonus features DVD disk in some Blu-ray and HD-DVD movie compilation packs. Clear cases used for some DVD music concert albums.
⚫
| [[Blu-ray]] videos || Blue, often translucent. Other colors are used for some titles.
|-
|-
⚫
| [[Blu-ray]] videos || Blue, often translucent. Other colors are used for some titles. ||
⚫
| [[High Fidelity Pure Audio]] [[Blu-ray]] songs & albums || Clear ||
|-
|-
⚫
| [[High Fidelity Pure Audio]] [[Blu-ray]] songs & albums || Clear ||
| [[Blu-ray#Blu-ray_3D|Blu-ray 3D]] || Clear, though older titles in translucent blue
|-
|-
| [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] videos || Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple & Orange ||
| [[Blu-ray#Blu-ray 3D|Blu-ray 3D]] || Clear, though older titles in translucent blue ||
|-
|-
| [[HD DVD]] videos || Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple & Pink, often translucent ||
| [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] videos || Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple & Orange ||
|-
|-
| [[HD DVD]] videos || Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple & Pink, often translucent ||
⚫
| [[PlayStation 3]] games || Translucent white<ref>[[Greatest Hits (PlayStation range)|Greatest Hits]] games in the Americas come in opaque red, and Platinum Hits games in Europe come in silver</ref> ||
|-
|-
| [[PlayStation 4]] games || Translucent blue<ref>[[Greatest Hits (PlayStation range)|Greatest Hits]] games come in opaque red</ref> ||
| [[PlayStation 3]] games || Translucent white{{efn|group=smaller|[[Greatest Hits (PlayStation)|Greatest Hits]] games in the Americas come in opaque red, and Platinum Hits games in Europe come in silver.}} ||
|-
⚫
| [[PlayStation 4]] games || Translucent blue{{efn|group=smaller|Greatest Hits games come in opaque red.}} ||
|-
|-
| [[PlayStation 5]] games || Translucent blue ||
| [[PlayStation 5]] games || Translucent blue ||
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| [[Xbox 360]] games || Translucent green || Used for select reissued Xbox 360 titles after backwards compatibility was added to the Xbox One, Left handed case, Both Xbox 360 and Xbox One logos are embossed onto the top
| [[Xbox 360]] games || Translucent green || Used for select reissued Xbox 360 titles after backwards compatibility was added to the Xbox One, Left handed case, Both Xbox 360 and Xbox One logos are embossed onto the top
|-
|-
| [[Xbox One]] games || Translucent green || Left handed case, The Xbox One logo is embossed onto the top
| [[Xbox One]] games || Translucent green || Left handed case, The Xbox One logo is embossed onto the top. Later issues lack the embossment, and have full size liner notes with "Xbox One" on the liner itself.
|-
|-
| [[Xbox Series X]] games || Translucent green || Left handed case. An updated Xbox logo, in white, is embossed onto the top. There is also a black sticker of the "Series X" logo on the upper right corner of the case.
| [[Xbox Series X and Series S#Xbox Series X|Xbox Series X]] games || Translucent green || Left handed case. An updated Xbox logo, in white, is embossed onto the top. There is also a black sticker of the "Series X" logo on the upper right corner of the case. Later issues lack the embossment, and have full size liner notes with "Xbox Series X" on the liner itself.
|}
|}
{{notelist|group=smaller}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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! Product !! Color !! Notes
! Product !! Color !! Notes
|-
|-
| [[VHS]] videos || Majority black and white, all other colors possible ||
| [[VHS]] videos || Majority black and white, all other colors possible ||
|-
|-
| [[Betamax]] videos || Majority black and white, all other colors possible ||
| [[Betamax]] videos || Majority black and white, all other colors possible ||
|-
|-
| Many [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] games || Black ||
| Many [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] games || Black ||
|-
|-
| [[Nintendo Switch]] games || Black || Only used for the limited edition issue of [[Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King]]
| [[Nintendo Switch]] games || Black || Only used for the limited edition issue of [[Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King]]
|-
|-
| [[Master System]] cartridge games || Black ||
| [[Master System]] cartridge games || Black ||
|-
|-
| Many [[Sega Genesis]] games || Black ||
| Many [[Sega Genesis]] games || Black ||
|-
|-
| [[Neo Geo]] games || Black ||
| [[Neo Geo]] games || Black ||
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! Product !! Color !! Size !! Notes
! Product !! Color !! Size !! Notes
|-
|-
| [[Nintendo GameCube]] games || Clear || 149mm x 107mm x 17mm || Japan, also used for [[Game Boy Player]] startup disc in North America. Most contain a memory card slot.
| [[GameCube]] games || Clear || 149mm x 107mm x 17mm || Japan, also used for [[Game Boy Player]] startup disc in North America. Most contain a memory card slot.
|-
|-
| [[Nintendo DS]] games || Black <ref>Select Mario titles are red since 2010</ref><br>(White for DSi only games) || 135mm x 122mm x 15mm || North America/Japan, most contain a slot for [[Game Boy Advance]] cartridges or DS options pak.
| [[Nintendo DS]] games || Black{{efn|group=proprietary|White for DSi-only games. Select Mario titles are red since 2010.}} || 135mm x 122mm x 15mm || North America/Japan, most contain a slot for [[Game Boy Advance]] cartridges or DS options pak.
|-
|-
| [[Nintendo DS]] games || Clear || 135mm x 122mm x 20mm || Europe, most contain a slot for [[Game Boy Advance]] cartridges or DS options pak.
| [[Nintendo DS]] games || Clear || 135mm x 122mm x 20mm || Europe, most contain a slot for [[Game Boy Advance]] cartridges or DS options pak.
|-
|-
| [[New Nintendo 3DS|(New)]] [[Nintendo 3DS]] games || White <ref>Select Mario games are red</ref> || 135mm x 122mm x 12mm || Regular 3DS Games in all Regions; [[New Nintendo 3DS|New 3DS]] exclusive Games only in Japan and North America
| [[New Nintendo 3DS|(New)]] [[Nintendo 3DS]] games || White{{efn|group=proprietary|Select Mario games are red.}} || 135mm x 122mm x 12mm || Regular 3DS Games in all Regions; [[New Nintendo 3DS|New 3DS]] exclusive Games only in Japan and North America
|-
|-
| [[New Nintendo 3DS]] games || Black || 135mm x 122mm x 14mm || Europe
| [[New Nintendo 3DS]] games || Black || 135mm x 122mm x 14mm || Europe
|-
|-
| [[Nintendo Switch]] games|| Clear || 170mm x 104mm x 10mm || Has tabs on left side above cartridge slot to keep promotional material in place
| [[Nintendo Switch]] games|| Clear || 170mm x 104mm x 10mm || Has tabs on right side above cartridge slot to keep any included printed materials in place
|-
|-
| [[PlayStation Portable]] games || Clear || 168mm x 99mm x 14mm ||
| [[PlayStation Portable]] games || Clear || 168mm x 99mm x 14mm ||
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| [[PlayStation Vita]] games || Blue || 135mm x 105mm x 12mm ||
| [[PlayStation Vita]] games || Blue || 135mm x 105mm x 12mm ||
|}
|}
{{notelist|group=proprietary}}


==Structure==
==Structure==


===Materials and features===
===Materials and features===
[[Image:Keep-case-xbox.jpg|thumb|[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] Keep case. Lime-green version, used for most Xbox games]]
[[Image:Keep-case-xbox.jpg|thumb|Lime green keep case used for most Xbox games]]
[[Image:Wii game disc.jpg|thumb|[[Wii]] keep case]]
[[Image:Wii game disc.jpg|thumb|Wii keep case]]

The cases are made of soft, clear or colored, [[polypropylene]] [[plastic]] with a transparent [[polyethylene]] outer jacket, usually with a printed paper sleeve behind it. A variety of colors are produced, including black, white, red and clear. On the inside are sets of clips that may hold a booklet or additional sheets of paper with extra information. The DVD is held into place with a small protrusion (a "hub") which fits into the hole in the DVD. For console games like the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Nintendo GameCube]], an extra protrusion is available for storing memory cards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/fishywang/350321581|title=Worms 4 Mayhem for PlayStation 2 |date=8 January 2007 |publisher=Flickr}}</ref>
The cases are made of soft, clear or colored, [[polypropylene]] [[plastic]] with a transparent [[polyethylene]] outer jacket, usually with a printed paper sleeve behind it. A variety of colors are produced, including black, white, red and clear. On the inside are sets of clips that may hold a booklet or additional sheets of paper with extra information. The DVD is held into place with a small protrusion (a "hub") which fits into the hole in the DVD. For console games like the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[GameCube]], an extra protrusion is available for storing memory cards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/fishywang/350321581|title=Worms 4 Mayhem for PlayStation 2 |date=8 January 2007 |publisher=Flickr}}</ref>


===Types of hubs===
===Types of hubs===
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The larger size of the keep case compared to the CD [[Optical disc packaging#Jewel case|jewel box]] means that if the disc becomes detached from the center hub, it can move around inside the box, and the playable surface can be scratched by the hub. This can be a problem during shipping.
The larger size of the keep case compared to the CD [[Optical disc packaging#Jewel case|jewel box]] means that if the disc becomes detached from the center hub, it can move around inside the box, and the playable surface can be scratched by the hub. This can be a problem during shipping.


The center "Pluck-Hubs" are designed to keep a disc in place while shipping, but can be too tight for normal home use. Because of this, the disc can be damaged upon removal due to excess warping. However, the edges of the center hub can be permanently bent in slightly to allow for a looser fit. Discs are then able to slip out easily, ideal for the home shelf.<ref>{{cite news|last=Labriola|first=Don|date=June 22, 2004|title=DVD Rot, or Not?|work=[[PC Magazine]]|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1590566,00.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011020842/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1590566,00.asp|archive-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://polynewsline.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html|title=polyNEWSline: October 2008|work=polynewsline.blogspot.com|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=25827&st=0&sk=t&sd=a|title=racketboy.com • View topic - PS2 case cracking the game disc|work=racketboy.com|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref>
The center "pluck hubs" are designed to keep a disc in place while shipping, but can be too tight for normal home use. Because of this, the disc can be damaged upon removal due to excess warping. However, the edges of the center hub can be permanently bent in slightly to allow for a looser fit. Discs are then able to slip out easily, ideal for the home shelf.<ref>{{cite news|last=Labriola|first=Don|date=June 22, 2004|title=DVD Rot, or Not?|work=[[PC Magazine]]|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1590566,00.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011020842/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1590566,00.asp|archive-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://polynewsline.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html|title=polyNEWSline: October 2008|work=polynewsline.blogspot.com|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=25827&st=0&sk=t&sd=a|title=racketboy.com • View topic - PS2 case cracking the game disc|work=racketboy.com|access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref>


===Physical dimensions===
===Physical dimensions===


====Case====
====Case====
The height and width of a (closed) keep case are fixed at 190mm (7.48 inches) and 135mm (5.315 inches), respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amaray product brochure|url=http://www.amaray.com/downloads/AmarayBrochure.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821133442/http://www.amaray.com/downloads/AmarayBrochure.pdf|archive-date=2010-08-21|access-date=2010-03-13|publisher=Amaray}}</ref>
The height and width of a (closed) keep case are fixed at {{convert|190|mm|abbr=on}} and {{convert|135|mm|abbr=on}}, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amaray product brochure|url=http://www.amaray.com/downloads/AmarayBrochure.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821133442/http://www.amaray.com/downloads/AmarayBrochure.pdf|archive-date=2010-08-21|access-date=2010-03-13|publisher=Amaray}}</ref>
The thickness may vary to accommodate more discs ("multi" case) or to require less shelf space ("slim" or "thin" case). For a typical single-disc case it is 15mm.
The thickness may vary to accommodate more discs ("multi" case) or to require less shelf space ("slim" or "thin" case). For a typical single-disc case, it is 15mm.


A keep case, thus, ''approximates'' the [[Entertainment Merchants Association|Video Software Dealers Association]] recommendation that a single-disc [[DVD-Video]] package have the same height as a VHS tape (187&nbsp;mm) and the same width as a CD jewel case (142&nbsp;mm). These dimensions are similar to [[digest size]] magazines.
A keep case, thus, ''approximates'' the [[Entertainment Merchants Association|Video Software Dealers Association]] recommendation that a single-disc [[DVD-Video]] package have the same height as a VHS tape (187&nbsp;mm) and the same width as a CD jewel case (142&nbsp;mm). These dimensions are similar to [[digest size]] magazines.
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====Paper sleeve====
====Paper sleeve====


[[File:DVDs_in_the_Media_Collection_(14442820600).jpg|thumb|Keep cases with printed sleeves (AKA DVD case inserts<ref>https://www.cdrom2go.com/knowledgebase-dvd-case-inserts</ref>): text and colors are printed on the paper/card stock which is held in place between transparent thin plastic and opaque thicker plastic.]]
[[File:DVDs_in_the_Media_Collection_(14442820600).jpg|thumb|Keep cases with printed sleeves (a.k.a. DVD case inserts<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdrom2go.com/knowledgebase-dvd-case-inserts|title = Knowledge Base &#124; DVD Case Inserts - CDROM2GO}}</ref>): text and colors are printed on the paper/card stock which is held in place between transparent thin plastic and opaque thicker plastic.]]


The printed paper sleeve for a standard DVD case can be printed on a standard A4 sheet of paper which, after cropping, can be slipped into the outer jacket. The paper room on the front and back panels of the case is 129.5mm × 183mm{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}} and spine panels have a width of 14mm or less. This gives 273mm × 183mm as resulting maximum overall dimensions for the printout (which is less than the 297mm × 210mm of an A4 paper sheet).
The printed paper sleeve for a standard DVD case can be printed on a standard A4 sheet of paper which, after cropping, can be slipped into the outer jacket. The paper room on the front and back panels of the case is 129.5mm × 183mm{{Citation needed|date=February 2015}} and spine panels have a width of 14mm or less. This gives 273mm × 183mm as resulting maximum overall dimensions for the printout (which is less than the 297mm × 210mm of an A4 paper sheet).
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===Empty cases and do-it-yourself===
===Empty cases and do-it-yourself===
In addition to the industrial usages reported above, empty keep cases are available at retail stores, which can serve for instance as a replacement for broken cases or for DVDs containing personal video recordings or data. Common brands are [[Hitachi Maxell|Maxell]], [[Memorex]], [[TDK]], [[Verbatim Corporation|Verbatim]], [[NexPak]], [[US Digital Media]] and Amaray. Some vendors, e.g. TDK and [[Infiniti (Medea)|Infiniti]], also sell recordable DVDs individually packed in keep cases.
In addition to the industrial usages reported above, empty keep cases are available at retail stores, which can serve for instance as a replacement for broken cases or for DVDs containing personal video recordings or data. Common brands are [[Maxell]], [[Memorex]], [[TDK]], [[Verbatim (brand)|Verbatim]], NexPak, US Digital Media and Amaray. Some vendors, e.g. TDK and Infiniti, also sell recordable DVDs individually packed in keep cases.


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 18:36, 18 November 2024

Standard black keep case

A keep case or poly-box is a type of packaging, most commonly used with DVDs and Blu-ray videos (and sometimes CDs).

Besides DVD-Video films, keep cases are very common with most disc-based video games since the PlayStation 2, and they are also found on many PC titles and MP3-CD audiobooks (all use discs that are the same basic dimensions as a DVD).

Products using keep cases

[edit]
Styles of keep cases: DVD, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray, PlayStation 2 (Platinum), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Wii, and Nintendo Switch

The first products to be released in keep cases were VHS tapes,[citation needed] though most were stored in less expensive pressboard sleeves. In the days before video games were released on optical media, cartridges would rarely come packaged in specially designed plastic keep cases with lugs inside to hold the instruction manual, as opposed to pressboard boxes. Cartridges and cards for the Master System platform were the first video games to be packaged in any kind of keep case. The vast majority of Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games would come in a plastic keep case (roughly the size of a VHS case), but they were later packaged in pressboard boxes as a cost-cutting measure. Before the standard and commonly used DVD case was invented, early CD-ROM-based video games such as Sega CD and early PlayStation titles would often come in a thicker and taller jewel case. These have been reputed to break very easily. Since the PlayStation 2, most major console-based video game software is packaged in some sort of keep case, including Nintendo DS cartridge titles and Sony PSP titles.

Full size
Product Color Size Notes
Audio CD discs Majority black, all other colors possible 142mm x 125mm x 9.9mm Usually for audiobooks and student educational materials issued after mid 2000s.
Video CD discs Majority black, all other colors possible
DVD videos Majority black, all other colors possible 190mm x 135mm x 15mm Case thickness varies, although typically 15mm.
Blu-ray videos Blue or black 171.5mm x 135mm x 13mm Rarely for individual discs. Used primarily for some Blu-ray/DVD combo packs.
PC CD-ROM games Majority black or clear, all other colors possible Usually for CD-ROM games issued after mid 2000s.
PC DVD-ROM games Majority black or clear, all other colors possible
Master System My Card games Black
PlayStation games Navy blue Only used for one game, Metal Gear Solid in the United States as part of a set.
PlayStation 2 games Navy blue or black[a] Most contain a memory card slot
Dreamcast games Black or orange Select titles in Japan only.
GameCube games Black[b] North America/Europe. Most contain a memory card slot.
Xbox games Lime green[c]
Xbox 360 games Translucent lime green[d]
Wii games White[e]
Wii U games Bright cerulean[f]
  1. ^ Blue in PAL regions from 2001 onward, silver for Platinum releases, red for games that require Buzz controllers or NTSC Greatest Hits, white for Singstar games and Gran Turismo 2, clear for Metal Gear Solid 2
  2. ^ Some games have variant colors in PAL regions such as blue (Super Mario Sunshine), red (Mario Kart: Double Dash), or silver (Player's Choice titles).
  3. ^ Platinum Hits (North America) come in silver, Xbox Classics (PAL regions) in green, Xbox Magazine demos in slim clear cases.
  4. ^ Platinum Hits games come in translucent grey, Kinect games in translucent purple, Xbox Magazine demos and Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action in slim clear.
  5. ^ Some games have variant colors such as red (New Super Mario Bros. Wii), yellow (Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games), and black (Pandora's Tower in Japan).
  6. ^ Some games have variant colors such as red (the U.S. version of Mario Kart 8 and the U.S. version of Super Mario Maker), green (New Super Luigi U), and yellow (the PAL version of Super Mario Maker).
Smaller size
Product Color Notes
Audio CD discs Translucent orange or clear Used for some audiobooks and MP3 CD's issued after 2006.
Video CD discs Majority clear, all other colors possible
DVD videos Black or clear Rarely used for single discs, Black cases usually used for bonus features DVD disk in some Blu-ray and HD-DVD movie compilation packs. Clear cases used for some DVD music concert albums.
Blu-ray videos Blue, often translucent. Other colors are used for some titles.
High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-ray songs & albums Clear
Blu-ray 3D Clear, though older titles in translucent blue
Ultra HD Blu-ray videos Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple & Orange
HD DVD videos Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple & Pink, often translucent
PlayStation 3 games Translucent white[a]
PlayStation 4 games Translucent blue[b]
PlayStation 5 games Translucent blue
Xbox 360 games Translucent green Used for select reissued Xbox 360 titles after backwards compatibility was added to the Xbox One, Left handed case, Both Xbox 360 and Xbox One logos are embossed onto the top
Xbox One games Translucent green Left handed case, The Xbox One logo is embossed onto the top. Later issues lack the embossment, and have full size liner notes with "Xbox One" on the liner itself.
Xbox Series X games Translucent green Left handed case. An updated Xbox logo, in white, is embossed onto the top. There is also a black sticker of the "Series X" logo on the upper right corner of the case. Later issues lack the embossment, and have full size liner notes with "Xbox Series X" on the liner itself.
  1. ^ Greatest Hits games in the Americas come in opaque red, and Platinum Hits games in Europe come in silver.
  2. ^ Greatest Hits games come in opaque red.
Larger size
Product Color Notes
VHS videos Majority black and white, all other colors possible
Betamax videos Majority black and white, all other colors possible
Many Famicom games Black
Nintendo Switch games Black Only used for the limited edition issue of Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King
Master System cartridge games Black
Many Sega Genesis games Black
Neo Geo games Black
Some 3DO games Black Snap case
Proprietary size
Product Color Size Notes
GameCube games Clear 149mm x 107mm x 17mm Japan, also used for Game Boy Player startup disc in North America. Most contain a memory card slot.
Nintendo DS games Black[a] 135mm x 122mm x 15mm North America/Japan, most contain a slot for Game Boy Advance cartridges or DS options pak.
Nintendo DS games Clear 135mm x 122mm x 20mm Europe, most contain a slot for Game Boy Advance cartridges or DS options pak.
(New) Nintendo 3DS games White[b] 135mm x 122mm x 12mm Regular 3DS Games in all Regions; New 3DS exclusive Games only in Japan and North America
New Nintendo 3DS games Black 135mm x 122mm x 14mm Europe
Nintendo Switch games Clear 170mm x 104mm x 10mm Has tabs on right side above cartridge slot to keep any included printed materials in place
PlayStation Portable games Clear 168mm x 99mm x 14mm
PlayStation Vita games Blue 135mm x 105mm x 12mm
  1. ^ White for DSi-only games. Select Mario titles are red since 2010.
  2. ^ Select Mario games are red.

Structure

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Materials and features

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Lime green keep case used for most Xbox games
Wii keep case

The cases are made of soft, clear or colored, polypropylene plastic with a transparent polyethylene outer jacket, usually with a printed paper sleeve behind it. A variety of colors are produced, including black, white, red and clear. On the inside are sets of clips that may hold a booklet or additional sheets of paper with extra information. The DVD is held into place with a small protrusion (a "hub") which fits into the hole in the DVD. For console games like the PlayStation 2 and GameCube, an extra protrusion is available for storing memory cards.[1]

Types of hubs

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The structural differences between a CD and a DVD have led many manufacturers to study different hub designs for keeping the DVD (or the DVDs, in multi-disc cases) in place: unlike CDs, which are made from one layer of plastic material, DVDs have two layers, which are thinner (so that together they reach the same thickness of a CD) and not bonded all the way to the center. As a result, a DVD hub is weaker than a CD's, and may be damaged if stored in a case which is designed for CDs only.[citation needed]

In addition to "pluck hubs" (which are often a simple evolution over the classical "crown of teeth"), "push-to-release" hubs are very common: in this case the hub is made in such a way that simply pushing on it with a finger compresses its component parts, thus shrinking the space it occupies and releasing the disc center; under normal situations the release cannot occur accidentally and requires someone to push on the hub (this is obviously more difficult to obtain in slim and ultra-slim cases, where in fact pluck hubs may be preferred to push-type ones).[citation needed]

Damage risk

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The larger size of the keep case compared to the CD jewel box means that if the disc becomes detached from the center hub, it can move around inside the box, and the playable surface can be scratched by the hub. This can be a problem during shipping.

The center "pluck hubs" are designed to keep a disc in place while shipping, but can be too tight for normal home use. Because of this, the disc can be damaged upon removal due to excess warping. However, the edges of the center hub can be permanently bent in slightly to allow for a looser fit. Discs are then able to slip out easily, ideal for the home shelf.[2][3][4]

Physical dimensions

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Case

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The height and width of a (closed) keep case are fixed at 190 mm (7.5 in) and 135 mm (5.3 in), respectively.[5] The thickness may vary to accommodate more discs ("multi" case) or to require less shelf space ("slim" or "thin" case). For a typical single-disc case, it is 15mm.

A keep case, thus, approximates the Video Software Dealers Association recommendation that a single-disc DVD-Video package have the same height as a VHS tape (187 mm) and the same width as a CD jewel case (142 mm). These dimensions are similar to digest size magazines.

Paper sleeve

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Keep cases with printed sleeves (a.k.a. DVD case inserts[6]): text and colors are printed on the paper/card stock which is held in place between transparent thin plastic and opaque thicker plastic.

The printed paper sleeve for a standard DVD case can be printed on a standard A4 sheet of paper which, after cropping, can be slipped into the outer jacket. The paper room on the front and back panels of the case is 129.5mm × 183mm[citation needed] and spine panels have a width of 14mm or less. This gives 273mm × 183mm as resulting maximum overall dimensions for the printout (which is less than the 297mm × 210mm of an A4 paper sheet).

Inserts

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Booklet inserts or leaflet material, when folded closed, should measure to a maximum of 120mm × 180mm. This usually includes a digital copy code for a digital locker service or a downloadable content code, if included.

Similar, though not identical, packaging is used for commercial Blu-ray Disc titles and was used for HD DVD titles. However, the dimensions of the cases are somewhat different, about 19 mm shorter. The individual cases are color-coded, with blue being used for Blu-ray and red for HD DVD, and the format displayed prominently on a stripe above the cover art.

Empty cases and do-it-yourself

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In addition to the industrial usages reported above, empty keep cases are available at retail stores, which can serve for instance as a replacement for broken cases or for DVDs containing personal video recordings or data. Common brands are Maxell, Memorex, TDK, Verbatim, NexPak, US Digital Media and Amaray. Some vendors, e.g. TDK and Infiniti, also sell recordable DVDs individually packed in keep cases.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Worms 4 Mayhem for PlayStation 2". Flickr. 8 January 2007.
  2. ^ Labriola, Don (June 22, 2004). "DVD Rot, or Not?". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012.
  3. ^ "polyNEWSline: October 2008". polynewsline.blogspot.com. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  4. ^ "racketboy.com • View topic - PS2 case cracking the game disc". racketboy.com. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Amaray product brochure" (PDF). Amaray. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  6. ^ "Knowledge Base | DVD Case Inserts - CDROM2GO".
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