Digipak VS Jewel Case CDs

As previously identified a Digipak is a type of packaging for CDs or DVDs, typically made from cardboard with an internal plastic holder for one or more discs. A Jewel Case CD is a three-piece plastic case that usually contains a compact disc along with an insert booklet and a back tray card.

Usually, an album will be released either as Jewel Case format or as Digipak format, rarely as both. However, sometimes the standard version of an album will be released as Jewel Case format and the deluxe version will be released as Digipak format. For example; (as previously shown) Justin Bieber's 'Believe' was released as a Jewel Case CD for the standard edition of the album, however the deluxe edition was released as a Digipak. In these instances, not much usually differs beteween the Jewel Case version and the Digipak version, besides perhaps the colour scheme to help distinguish the difference between the standard and deluxe edition.

However, sometimes the Jewel Case version can differ massively from the Digipak version of an album. For example; The Jonas Brothers self-titled album, released in 2007, came in standard Jewel Case form, and also came in a 'Bonus Jonas Edition' Digipak format. The standard Jewel Case version differs from the Digipak version in the sense that it comes with an insert booklet when the Digipak does not. The Jewel Case version features lots of photos inside the booklet for the fans to enjoy looking at. Whilst the Digipak doesn't have any insert booklet, and only two photos of the group are seen inside. The Digipak however includes two disks, one featuring the songs, and one featuring a bonus concert and other content, the Jewel Case only includes one disk with only songs.

The album cover for the standard Jewel Case CD is found only once on the Digipak version, which is on the inside of the Digipak, it is also interesting to note that they both have different album covers, one being far more basic than the other.

The art on the CD disk also differs between the two version of the album. The Jewel Case version has a much more simple disk, which is white and features the band logo at the top of the disk, whereas the Digipak version has two disks and are cleverly designed with the initials of 'JB' featured on each disk, which is dark coloured unlike the white disk from the Jewel Case.






Overall, not much does usually differ between a Jewel Case CD and a Digipak CD, except for the obvious choice of material for the casing. As time has progressed, Digipak's have undoubtedly become far more popular and widely used, however the traditional Jewel Case CD will probably always be the more popular option, and in my opinion I prefer the Jewel Case to the Digipak.