Best DVD media - again

TomG wrote on 2/9/2009, 7:05 PM
Sorry to bring up this question since I know it has been discussed in the past, but I can't find anything helpful.

A question for you pros out there: What is the best brand/type of DVD media (other than Blu-Ray) for archival purposes?

I am looking for something which will last around 10-15 years since I assume that the current technology probably won't be around to play current DVDs after that time and the content will have to be transferred to a future technology by then

Thanks,
TomG

Comments

rs170a wrote on 2/9/2009, 7:27 PM
The only brand that I'm aware of that might last that long is MAM-A Gold Archive DVD-R.
Their current claim is a life expectancy of 116 years.
Price is $152.00 for a 50 pk.
At that price, you might be better off sticking with tape.
Properly stored, it's still a decent back-up medium.
Witness the number of VHS tapes still kicking around.

Mike
farss wrote on 2/9/2009, 8:16 PM
MAM media is by far the best.
You can buy Kodak gold CDs certified for medical records. Unless you're a hospital and a private one at that you probably cannot afford them. Our national archive uses MAM gold media and they'll certainly outlive tape.

Bob.
Jeff9329 wrote on 2/10/2009, 8:03 AM
The Taiyo Uden discs have a 100 year guarantee.

http://www.mediasupply.com/tydd5mwsh16-100.html

However, I have some of these disks (in use, not stored) failing at less than two years, and with no scratches. So I would take any of these warranties with a large grain of salt. I don't think I would depend on any burned disc to last a long time. I would depend on redundancy.

You asked about DVDs, but be aware the long life CDs are a very different animal and much more stable. The capacity is just too small for viable graphic media storage. Here is a CD and DVD life comparison:

http://www.mediasupply.com/archive-data-storage.html

I was a little suprised in the above link they don't mention the inherent stability of CDs since the pits and lands are over twice the size of a DVD, giving more tolerance to work with. For this same reason, a Blu-Ray disc is even more fragile than a DVD disc and they have the hard surface coating. Of course the hard coating dosen't protect the dye layer or reflective layer breakdown.

I don't have an answer, but depending solely on optical discs, is not a good way to go.



TomG wrote on 2/10/2009, 10:28 AM
So the bottom line on storing historical content is to archive to tape or recopy your content every x number of years?

TomG
rs170a wrote on 2/10/2009, 11:18 AM
Do all of these and more.
Add a copy to hard drive to the process, store copies in multiple (off site, preferably at least one out of town) locations and you've done all you can do.

Mike