Backing up DATA on DVD: Are You doing it? How?

[ahhaa]

I've gradually built up quite a collection of video bits&pieces, not to mention audio tracks, complex title sequences and such- might need'em again someday... they do take up considerable space on the HD at 7-28 gigs per project.

I've been reluctant to backup to DVD after some disc failures about 6 months out on a standalone recorder (Lite-On drive).

Just wondering about using DVD RAM versus ordinary 'quality' DVDs; post-backup testing, preferrable stragegies, or whatever other advice seems right. I ain't proud!

[Abbadon]

I have never had a DVD+R failure, maybe your DVD Burner is a piece of crap or you are using cheap DVD media.

There are many tutorials you can consult in the How to section, plus many more out there in the void.

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdbackup

[ROF]

I haven't had any problems with my discs dying. I have heard and even seen such horror stories but I have yet to personally experience them. I do all my backups currently to DVD+/-r DL discs. I only use DVD+/-R discs for small backups.

[ahhaa]

I guess I should have been clearer- I'm backing up project files as data; not 'backing up' movies. DVDshrink isn't much help for that.

Ab- that's what I said until it happened to me. Discs had played fine several times, correctly stored, no scratches etc. Dunno if you'd consider HP crappy media, I didn't.

[Denvers Dawgs]

Hp is a brand name.....brand names don't mean much, if anything, when it comes to blank dvd media. Media quality depends on the media code (actually manufacturer)of the disc. Although some brand names (Sony, Maxell & Fuji are high quality brand names).

Here is a list of hp media people have used along with there reliablity/compatibility HP media List

[gadgetguy]

... Dunno if you'd consider HP crappy media, I didn't.

I do. But I suppose it could depend on who was making their media at the time. (HP does not make their own media.)

[lordsmurf]

HP is mostly CMC. I'm not a fan, the media is wishy-washy quality, not reliable.

[Abbadon]

I do backups of all kind of files using the old Nero 6.6.0.18 with no problems so far using the multisession data recording.

My only complaint is that after I upgraded Windows XP to SP2, wrong drivers for my DVD Recorder are loaded or just the unit disappears.

[CrayonEater]

I do tons of backups on DVD. Just make sure to use good media like TY or Verbatim. It's all about the media! Just remember, if the media isn't Verbatim or if it isn't made in Japan otherwise, avoid it. Using DVD for backups is even easier than burning Video DVDs - just start your favorite burning program, select DVD-ROM or DATA or the equivalent, and add stuff to your compilation and burn. No need to worry about bitsetting, video compliance, and all that other fun stuff.

I like to use DOS' File Compare (FC /b <source> <destination>) to verify discs. The verification utilities included in most burning programs are of dubious quality.

[ntscuser]

I do backups of data to a pack of five Philips DVD+RW which was the only brand available at the time at my nearest branch of Staples. Bear in mind these are 'backups' which hopefully will never be needed and not substitutes for the main archives stored on HD. If hard drive space is a problem you should buy a bigger HD. They are cheap enough these days.

[ahhaa]

interesting... but isn't anybody using DVD-RAM disks? whats the story on those?