Picture Disc PSA!  

The reason picture discs are frowned upon by some is because the playing surface is not vinyl (pvc). Vinyl is only used as a stabiliser between the pictures used for the disc. Polyethylene is used for the playing surface of picture discs and generate a lot of surface noise when played. I find the level surface noise can vary depending on how the disc was made, but it will always be present as it is inherent with polyethylene.

Thanks for the tip, too many vinyl myths out there 😂

I've had the original pressings of System Of A Down's "Hypnotize" and "Mesmerize" for almost 20 years now. Both albums were originally released on picture disc vinyl and I haven't had any issues with them.

Never had a problem with a picture disc, but hasn’t the vinyl technology reached a point where they can make crystal-clear pucks and put the paper in the center of them so that thin sound sheets are no longer needed? Peace.

I LOVE my Encanto picture disk. That being said, I did have lots of issues playing picture disks on my suitcase player when I had it. That could be why people are complaining. They play fine on my AT player.

Just got my first one. The music sounds great but the amount of surface noise is unbelievable for a brand new record. I cleaned the heck out of it with the ultrasonic, no change. I'll still play it but based on this huge sampling of only one record I don't know that I'll be in a hurry to try again.

Picture discs sound a lot better than the older ones. I bought an incredible looking Kiss “Rock & Roll Over” one that was released in 2021. Sounds every bit as good as the 180gm black vinyl.

It's funny how "experts" thrash picture discs yet nobody questions if the tracks were mastered for vinyl to begin with. SMH. I have seen picture disc manufacturing vid here on YT they just cut the tracks straight from a cd player.

picture discs are collectible & you do NOT play them. You want to play them, scratch them, go ahead, but the value won't be there anymore. But of course, it depends on what you collect ... go ahead and enjoy your Cinderella soundtrack there guy LOL

Some do indeed sound great. On the other hand, some really don't. You'll never know though until you give it a listen.

My 1980s Abbey Road Picture disc sounds greart

Yep I play Charlie Brown Christmas picture disc every year. ❤

Slightly lower fidelity 💀

It really depends on who mixed the audio. Sometimes the picture disc can sound better due to mixing from different companies.

I have a Huey Lewis and the news picture disk from the first ever concert i went to in 1987, it sounds incredible..

I had two picture discs in 1978 (Rod Stewart’s “Blondes Have More Fun” and the original double album of Barry Manilow’s “Greatest Hits”) and one in 1985 (Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”), and they sounded great to me.

My lene lovich picture dise sounds great such a goofy misconception

totally agree with you 👍