Best for long term backup/storage?

Question

Hi,   I've got lots of pics I would like to back up. My goal is reliable storage for a minimum of 100 years at room temperature. What is more reliable, i.e. more likely to work after 100 years of storage at room temperature: CD-ROM or DVD?   thanks, David

Duhhh · Answer

Testing has shown comparable lifespans for CD-R and DVD-R (note, CDRW and DVDRW have much shorter life spans). Although manufacturers claim 100+ years if stored properly, it's tough to simulate all the possible ways the media can fail. It could be as simple as the chemicals in the permanent marker you use to write on the discs (hint: don't use a marker at all - record info on a sleeve). If your disc delaminates, it is going to become a coaster fast (store your discs where solvents in the air can attack the plastic and delamination is likely). If you're storing quality media in a temperature, humidity and light-controlled environment, you should be good for 20 years, and by then you're going to want to transfer your data to another medium, because by then you'll only be able to find a CD or DVD drive in a museum, or in the back of my closet (right next to my 8" floppy disc drive).

If you're planning to put the discs in a time capsule, I'd be more worried that the reader you place in the package would work after sitting for 100 years, because the folks who uncover the time capsule won't have a reader of their own!

DavidSF · Answer

Thank you for your reply. Since the lifespans are equal, I will go with DVD-R for it's higher capacity. My next question, what is the highest quality DVD-R available? I don't care about price. I just want the best constructed DVD-R available.   thanks, David

Duhhh · Answer

The Japanese media, such as Taiyo Yuden and Mitsubishi-Kagaku are usually on the top when people test media. You can get TYG and MKM media branded as other names (for example, some Verbatim DVDs are MKM), so check the media descriptor (too bad you have to open the package and insert a disc to do this). I use Nero InfoTool to check my discs. You can run a disc through Nero DriveSpeed to check the error rates, compare different media, and then record the results of your test. If you keep that in your archive, you can pull a test disc every couple of years and repeat the tests to see if the error rate is increasing, and if it's time to re-burn.

Some people may want to recommend Pioneer DVDs, but I don't think they make them anymore (they were probably too good! :)

DavidSF · Answer

Thank you for your reply. My next question is this. What is the difference DVD-R and DVD+R media? Actually all I need to know is which has more long term reliability? Also, is 4x media more reliable (long term) than 16x media? I'm looking for the most reliable DVD media possible to store photos, say at least 100 years in room temperature.   thanks, David

Duhhh · Answer

I have never seen a longevity test between DVD-R and DVD+R media, or one that tests media with different write speeds. I do know that DVD+R has a higher frequency wobble track, so that should correspond to better alignment during write, so if you have a choice, DVD+R might be the slight favorite. The drive has a lot to do with this as well, so that $40 built-in drive might not be your best bet for 100-year storage.

When you burn your DVDs, you will want to not only verify the write, but see how many ECC errors are on the disc. You can find websites that compare different drives and discs, showing the write speed and error rate. See if yours are on the top end of the results.

No matter what you do, periodic testing is your best defense. Save all your initial test information (as well as a few test discs). Every few years, test a sample and see if there is any degradation. Once you notice ECC rates climbing, it's time to re-archive.

tommyo1954 · Answer

Ditto on the media manufactured in Japan; simply the most reliable and the best. My Plextor 716-A loves Maxell made in Japan media; not a single bad burn yet. Of course you might find another brand that your particular burner loves too.   Beware the 'if it sounds too good to be true' prices & deals in regards to Taiyo Yuden sold on Ebay. There's been many reports of fake media going around on Ebay.  Buy it from a reputable place like Supermediastore.   When I shop around for media, I always look at the barcode on the label to see where it was manufactured. If it says Mexico, Taiwan, or any place other than Japan, it gets put back on the shelf. It's a bit beyond my knowledge, but the Japanese media has a superior AZO dye... I honestly don't know what that is, but I read it countless times on CD and DVD burning forums. I think it is the very outer coat dye on the disks....   Happy burning.. good luck..

Michigan Granni · Answer

Do you mean you have to have Nero InfoTool to check the disc's descriptor?  Where does one get that?  On the web?  Also, would you be willing to say which discs you've tested (or know about) which have and have not been Japanese made (whether purchased online or in the store)?

dougery · Answer

I agree that Taiyo Yuden from Japan is undoubtedly the way to go but some media from Taiwan and Singapore aren't that bad.  Verbatim made in Taiwan is actually quality media.

ieee488 · Answer

@dougery wrote: Verbatim made in Taiwan is actually quality media. On what data do you based this on?

dougery · Answer

Hopefully on what most people do, personal experience. Burned hundreds, if not thousands, of these discs with minimal coasters and degrading of quality. Disk scans display better than average performance (compared to other manufacturers) and retention.

Check out DVD media review sites. Although (I do agree with you) Japanese disks are superior, I think you'll find that most reviews will support the quality of these two brands of media, Taiwan Verbs and Sony are great.

Message Edited by dougery on 09-23-2007 11:28 AM

Storage, Drives & Media

Best for long term backup/storage?

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