Best DVD-R Media for Long Term Storage

[jfebus]

Hi All,

I am in need for a recomendation for the Best Media in terms of longevity and reliability.

The cost is not a problem.

Best Regards,

[csaag]

I've been looking into the same issue and the recs & info I've found points to
Pioneer - (PVC media code) (most expensive on this list I believe)
Maxell (MXL media code)
Mitsibishi (MCC media code)
TDK (TDK media code)
Taiyo Yuden (TYG media code)

The brand of the disk doesn't mean that they made the disk. The Media code tells you who made the disk. Software like DvdinfoPro can tell you the media code (unfortunately thatmeans you have to buy it first)
Also, there is fake media, sold as a particular brand when it's not.

You should also check what media your burner is compatible with and whether you may need a firmware upgrade for it.

lotsa threads here about where to get media, fakes , etc.

Somewhere I read that 'metal azo dye' is suppossed to be very good for longevity, but I don't know the details. You could always google it or search here.

[Capmaster]

www.nomorecoasters.com

Lordsmurf's excellent media site that explains all the concerns about DVD recordables

[888888]

Hi All,

I am in need for a recomendation for the Best Media in terms of longevity and reliability.

The cost is not a problem.

Best Regards,

Generally speaking, the better the media is in the short run, the better it will be in the long run. If quality and longevity is an important issue for you, I suggest you get 1st class media like MXL.

Some people don't believe in discs deteriorating (I think lordsmurf is acutally one of them). Either way, I have read a few people complaining about PRINCO discs going bad and other cheapos as well so steer clear of those.

Basically, get Taiyo Yuden or Maxell manufactured discs. Don't be swayed by people praising Ritek or Prodisc, those are still gambles, especially Ritek which has recently gained a very poor reputation among certain people on this forum.

And if price is not an issue, there are a few SUPER EXPENSIVE brands that are always available (Pioneer, Mitsui). If they are worth it is a different issue.

[Capmaster]

Either way, I have read a few people complaining about PRINCO discs going bad and other cheapos as well so steer clear of those.

I have read those too. One, that gets quoted all the time in spite of the fact that he has nothing to substantiate his claims, is in the review section here under "media". A guy named Chris or something like that. He probably left it on his dashboard in the summer, and then couldn't read the data. You never know, and it's highly unscientific.

But I agree that Princo is crap that should be avoided. I've burned over 2,000 Princos. I used to sing the Princo praises until I bought 200 of the white-tops and had to toss about 150 of those.

The point Lordsmurf makes, and there is scientific data to back it up, is that if you get a good burn, there shouldn't be longevity issues. In fact, the article below gives evidence that DVD recordables may actually last longer than the commercial pressed ones. Here's a highlight:

General industry guidelines now estimate office-burned copies of CDs and DVDs could remain readable for 100 to 200 years.

http://www.gcn.com/23_5/news/25166-1.html

[Culley]

That article was a nice little read.

[FulciLives]

Maxell 4x DVD-R made in Japan

or

Taiyo Yuden 4x DVD-R made in Japan

Both are about as good as you can get!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Capmaster]

That article was a nice little read.

After burning all those Princos, I know I felt better after reading that Makes sense that the aluminum reflective layer would be the weak link. It also said "with proper care" the recordables should last that long. That leads me to suspect that one guy's comment in the reviews about his going away after 6 months. I wonder just how much "care" he used

[Culley]

I'm willing to agree that a new form of media technology will be around before my back-ups are unwatchable.

[LanEvo7]

Some people don't believe in discs deteriorating (I think lordsmurf is acutally one of them).

This is simply not true. Burned media do deteriorate over time. It depends on the manufacturing process and the quality of the dye used. Here is an article I found a couple years back relating to the quality of CD-R media(this was when CDRs were still in its beginning stages). Although this is for CD-R media, the same principle applies to DVDR.

[jfebus]

Hi All,

So Taiyo Yuden or Maxell are the finalists?

Best Regards,

[888888]

Hi All,

So Taiyo Yuden or Maxell are the finalists?

Best Regards,

Maxell DVD-R yes. The +Rs are made by Ritek with Ricoh dye. Not as good. There was also a thread a month or so ago about which is better, TY+R or TY-R. I can't find it but I think in conclusion, they were both the same quality.

[chas0039]

No one seems to have mentioned it but everything I read clearly agrees that DVD RAM is a more durable media than any other. Granted it is expensive and not readable eveywhere but it is closer to archive.