How long does the data on a CDR last?

[downhiller80]

Despite the term "burning" which sounds permanent all the write laser of a CD writer does is change the chemical composition of the surface. How long does this last? Is there a half life like with radioactive stuff or is the lifespan unlimited?

Seb

 

[nEoTeChMaN]

In theory, a good CD can last 50-100 years. Check out the spec on different manufactures.

 

[Mark R]

It depends on how they are stored, and the formulation of the discs themselves.

In optimal conditions, they should last between 30 and 100 years.

Discs formulated with a gold reflective layer are supposed to last longer than those using aluminium.

Discs formulated with a 'gold' pthalocyanine dye are supposed to last longer than those using blue/green cyanine dye.

TDK claim 75 years for their cyanine discs.
Mitsui claim 100 years for their gold pthalocyanine discs.

On the other hand, I've had cheap discs that haven't lasted 100 days - the reflective layer just bubbled up and peeled off - good that:frown:

 

[Mday]

in theory, it's 100 years.

the older ones are like 10.

with regular wear and tear and the fact that chemicals can cause the deterioration of the plastics involved as well as the foil layer, i am one of the ones that says it's not really true.

the oils from our hands are capable of (though slowly) causing damage to CDs.

don't forget temperature fluxuations.

and of course it has been after 10 years since the original CDs came out (as in the first EVER CDs, and CDRs), older users can and have told us, THEORY is theory ;-)

--

that's why magneto optic (MO) drives are still the BEST in terms of longevity. unfortunately they are relatively slow.

 

[Mday]

that's also why i prefer those optic discs, CD, CDR or even DVD writing standards, to be INSIDE cartridges, though the cartridges cost more to make and implement than the discs themselves.

it's like a floppy disc, all that protection is more expensive than that film...

 

[Mark R]

Quite. I'm really quite disappointed that you can't get caddy recorders any more.

They were great - you could put frequently used CD-RW discs into their own dedicated caddy - and they would remain perfectly protected.

One manufacturer makes, or used to make, 'medical grade' CD-R discs which are somehow sealed into caddies in a clean room - thereby guaranteeing that the discs remain scratch and dust free.

A year on, some of my CD-RW discs which are in almost daily use are starting to get a few scuff marks and fingerprints. Most of the still work though, although I'll probably replace them soon.

 

[hungrypete]

i've heard that FACTORY burned cds may last 10-15 years realistically, while CDRs burned at home will be lucky to last 5 years. I have burned cds that are 2 or 3 years old and they are still fine.....
All of this is word-of-mouth so who knows.....

 

[Mark R]

I have some 16 year old factory pressed CDs, and they are absolutely fine - there is very little to degrade in a factory pressed CD.

The polycarbonate substrate is exceptionally stable, and the reflective layer is extremely well sealed from the atmosphere.

There were some problems with very early CDs from 1 or 2 factories, which used silver as the reflective layer, where other manufacturers used aluminium. Impurities in the polycarbonate would tarnish the silver within a few years. There has been no such problem noted with aluminium discs.

 

[samgau]

scratches and scuff marks are unavoidable unless you are very very very very careful....
I definetly am not...but even my oldest cd-r are still fine...now my oldest audio cd is a tad bit in bad shape..esp after my dog got hold of it..*laffs* anyway..the life span of cd-r realistically should at least be 5-10 years of regular careful usage..now if they are burn then stored in a cool dry safe place..i guess they could last 10 times that... I know for sure that sunlight destroys em pretty fast... and heat too... i had a friend who once left a bran new 50 pack cd-r in his car for a couple days..he parked outside on the lot .. it was summer... well none of the cd-r's worked..bummer huh..

anyway.. peace all

 

[MWink]

My first CD-Rs I burned still seem to work fine. I got my first burner about 3 years ago (I think). CD-R life also depends on the quality of the disc. Check out CD Media World for the quality of different brand discs. I have however seen CD-RWs that seem to degrade. I have one that I burned all my downloads to less than a year ago. I put it in the other day and the drive had a HORRIBLE time reading it. I then erased it and burned the same thing on to it again and now it works fine again.

 

[flood]

They will last approximately 7.24 years, the half-life of the blue/green dye






I of course have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[ElFenix]

the US gov't was going to put records onto cd, until they found that pressed CDs only last like 30 years or something. those burned ones are 5. stuff on paper lasts longer.

 

[BigToque]

I'm not too sure about how long burned CDR(w)'s last, but I'm almost positive that professionally mastered cd's last much longer because the data is physically pressed onto the cd, whereas with a cdr, its burned onto a thin layer of (insert whatever they're made of )

 

[downhiller80]

Yeah proper pressed ones should last FOREVER. The only thing that may happen is some degradation of the clear layre, but if data is essential this can be polished no probs.

Seb