• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

How to create archival dvd's ?

you2

Diamond Member
My personal experience has been that dvd/cd burners produce dvds/cds that'll last a year or two at most.

Are there dvd like devices that will produce the type of dvds that software/movies are distributed on (aka that will last (i hope) a life time?) ?

Will such a device be available for high dvd/blue ray.

Basically I'm looking for a way to produce archival of images/photographs.
 
Unfortunately, the equipment needed to produce stamped DVDs costs a small fortune. That option is pretty much out. And, as you say, the burned ones have lousy data retention over time. Careful storage and good quality blanks can help a bit; but that just isn't an archival medium.

Hard drives will retain the data considerably better; but their tendency towards occasional but total failures means that you can't really depend on just one.

Tape is the traditional solution to this sort of problem, and continues to be a good idea. Somebody else might know what specific sort of tape setup makes the most sense these days.

One general, philosophical, consideration is that digital backups are more of a process than a one time thing. Most digital media have lousy lifespans compared to older analog ones; but can be copied without error at low cost. A backup strategy that involves keeping good enough backups to last for a certain space of time(say 2 years, could be longer or shorter depending on a number of factors) and, at the end of that space of time, shifting all the data over to a new medium(either a fresh batch of the previous medium, or a batch of one from a newer technology) to guard against obsolescence and breakdown can be useful here. For example, there really aren't any systems available to the individual user that will preserve data for 20 years at any reasonable cost. However, buying a couple of external HDDs now, keeping a copy of the data on each, transferring the data to two of whatever we are using four years from now, and so forth with those copies, 8 years from now, and so on, will do so, without too much expense or hassle.
 
There has been CD media that has been called archival, with a gold reflective layer (won't oxidize) plus a relatively stable laser sensitive material. But IDK if they are worth the price (a buck or so each). And IDK if they have done such for the DVD yet. When you have to use a light or temp sensitive medium to make the product, it's hard to imagine just how archival they could be made. So the best idea is to use good quality blanks and recopy them onto the current media every 5 years or so. I can't imagine a good blank like Verbatim DataLife or Taiyo Yuden crapping out in under 5 years. And store them vertically in a dark cool dry place.

It might be wise to keep two copies of each disk. One to use (working copy) and one to just store (backup copy). If the working copy gets damaged, make another copy from the backup copy to be the new backup copy and rotate the original backup copy to the new working copy.

And be very careful of flexing the disks as mechanical damage from flexing (remember that the disks are made up of layers that can shift during mechanical stress) causes far more damage to optical media than other environmental hazards.

.bh.


 
Well the cd dont interest me - do you really think the dvd gold would last 5 years? That's not so bad I guess (not great but not so bad). I've used tape in the past but not in a while. Not really sure how long tape last these days - also I was kind of being forward looking. I'd like media that can store 20 or 30 gigs (was hoping something could be done with hd or blue ray - any clue if these formats will last as long as gold dvd ?)
 
Originally posted by: you2
Well the cd dont interest me - do you really think the dvd gold would last 5 years? That's not so bad I guess (not great but not so bad). I've used tape in the past but not in a while. Not really sure how long tape last these days - also I was kind of being forward looking. I'd like media that can store 20 or 30 gigs (was hoping something could be done with hd or blue ray - any clue if these formats will last as long as gold dvd ?)

See this current thread: Blu-ray is king.
 
Interesting thread. Sounds lik hd-dvd is as good as blue-ray but neither are here today or (with regards to archival) any better than current dvd.
 
An ordinary top-quality CD should last at least 5 years. If you get the archival ones, you should be good for a lot longer than that. Just burn them at half the max speed of your burner and store them properly. I've got a cheap CompUSA CD-RW here that is well over 5 years old and reads just fine and I have some Micro$oft pressed originals from around the same time that are funky already.

.bh.
 
Back
Top