How dependable are DVD-RW's?

[videojim]

I am archiving AVI files on DVD-R's for the moment, because I don't have a lot of confidence that DVD-RW's are all that dependable for re-burning more than one AVI onto. I'm thinking I should play it safe and store on DVD-R's and then move the AVI's to a storage hard drive when I have the money for one. Long term storage (5-10 years or more) is not something DVD's can do reliably yet. This comes from a post here in this forum to that effect. So what about R-W's, how much re-burning can they reliably take?

[JBrooks]

First off, DVDs are going to last you way more than 5-10 years. I have talked to techs from major manufactures, and they have all said that if stored in a stable room tempature away from extreme heat & cold, and kept out of direct sun light, the DVDs should last for many years.

Hard drives are a good choice as well. The only thing about hard drives is they can seize up at any time especially if you do not play the drive very often. I have herd of drives that sit for a long time may not spin up.

Second, DVD-RWs are not more or less stable as far as writing is concerned to my knowledge. I have always used DVD-R for archiving to Disc Transfer in avi files, and have never had any issue. I would stay with -Rs (Taio Yuden) if it were me.

My two cents.

Joel Brooks
Moments in Time Video Productions

[TimKennelly]

I believe the common answer is you can rewrite to a DVD-RW or DVD+RW one thousand times.

As far as how long they will hold their data reliably I think that is up in the air much like DVD-R and DVD+R disks.

Who knows.

There has been a verifiable problem with DVD durability, but it's tough to pin down if this problem is a quality control issue with certain blanks, manufacturers, etc or not.

I suggest sticking with a solid, reputable company such as Taiyo Yuden as I do, but even so, I would not rely strictly on DVD archiving.

I don't think you can beat digital tape for reliability although you run the danger of possible drop outs.

I would suggest a diversified approach of using at least two mediums for footage you want to save using DVD, digital tape and hard drives.

[IanPearson]

I would agree with the aforesaid, a reliable manufacturer of DVD’s should give at least 5 years reliability and probably a lot more.

An independent article I read some time back, which unfortunately I cannot remember which, was saying that DVDs that are made in Japan are the most reliable. It went on to say that TY are the only DVD’s that are produced 100% in Japan. Verbatim make most of theirs in Japan, but some are also manufactured in I think it was Singapore and India.

Singapore and India came out reasonably high as reliable countries of manufacture, the worst being the likes of China and other far east countries.

I therefore stick 100% to TY, since I can know for certain where they are made.

I know it is anecdotal evidence, but I have quite a number of TY DVD-R’s, with material I have stored using disc transfer, which I have had for at least four years and they continue to reproduce perfectly.

Ian

[videojim]

ok, this all sounds good. NOW to find a source for TY dvd's. Sources, anybody?

[ParisFox1]

I use TY discs all the time and I have never had one problem in the hundreds I have burned. The best place to buy them is RELIANTDIGITAL.com, now DENVERDISC.com. They have the best prices and you can't beat their friendliness and service. Plus, they are close to MSUS and I think the owner use to work for Macrosystem. Real nice fellow.

You can't beat their prices. They are simply the best.

[JPaul]

I just ordered 100 TY 8X silver for under $29. Just Google "taiyo yuden dvd-r media" and you should get plenty of suppliers.

[Beachy]

We havent come very far when you think that some of the Egyptian tablets are over 3,000 yrs old !! and still readable. I am trying to fit a Usb cable to my Wife's brain because she can retain information for years!! and can recall it at anytime!!! She can also replace a SAT/Nav and tell me how fast I'm driving, when to turn, slow down etc etc.............Beachy

[jimmeeker]

Hey Beachy,

I have one of those in may car with me all the time as well. Always giving the latest updates of information whether or not I need it. It's a complicated set up.....I haven't discovered the off button yet.

[TimKennelly]

Off button nothing! I have been trying to figure out where the reset button is.

You know, the one that restores it back to the way it was the first day you got it.