OPTRIX For Compact Discs
Sugg. Retail: $17.95 a bottle
Distributor (Canada): Audio Basics Inc.
www.audiobasics.com

This will be a brief review of a small bottle, 2 fluid ounces or 60 milliliters in all, that coats optical discs to increase their readability by filling micro-scratches and improving reflectivity of the pitted surface. According to the white paper seen under the photo, “OPTRIX contains isopropyl alcohol, distilled water and optically optically active nonionic surfactants”, and has “antistatic properties”, is “chemically neutral and will not damage your CDs or Laser discs.”

It washes off with water or detergent and water, and the solution is patented. Instructions say to treat both optical and label sides of discs, by spraying, and then after spreading with a cloth or tissue, let dry momentarily and wipe clean. The label-side coating is said to provide the anti-static properties.

It’s all quite simple, and their claim is that, “OPTRIX makes all optical discs better than new”, explaining further that “Optimum compact disc playback is secured by controlling CD surface optical clarity, by removing spoiled laser light that contaminates the pure digital signal.” It also “removes manufacturing residues that reduce CD optical surface clarity.”

Well, I wouldn’t have written all this, with quotes, if OPTRIX were ineffective, so believe me, it does work, not only on all optical discs, but on my glasses. Not surprisingly, they also package a product called OPTRIX Clarifier for Eyeglasses; I submit that, as with most of the LAST products, it’s the same solution in each, perhaps in varying strengths of active agents.

With my glasses, OPTRIX treatments last several days and help limit the buildup of finger oils on them, as well as limiting the amount of refracted light distortion that can occur from oblique angles. Perhaps it’s this slight focusing of light that improves optical disc tracking and minimizes the player’s need for error correction.

Building on this context, I have found OPTRIX especially useful with DVDs and SACDs, where the pit size is even more microscopic, and discs are therefore much more easily rendered unplayable by fingerprints and dirt, the former of course attracting and holding the latter. And, in this modern age of nano-storage, the most sensitive optical discs of all are Blu-Ray (and probably HD-DVD to a lesser extent). I’ve definitely been using even more of this stuff since entering the Blu-Ray era.

Plain glass cleaner sprays work well with all these discs as well, but without the lasting effects and increased imperviousness to your little fingies provided by OPTRIX. I recommend both before playing any new SACD or DVD of any sort to prevent later problems in play. The makers claim that OPTRIX protection will last for as long as two years, something I’ve not had time to confirm. But it does work very well in all cases I’ve used it. And as far as my vision is concerned, well, it’s not as effective as my cataract operation was, but it does help my sight, especially in the sweaty summer on the golf course. Enough said?

Andrew Marshall