Video Archiving using Mp4 - MKV on a Western Digital storage drive

[ejai]

I hope I'm in the right section to ask this question. I was wondering if anyone was experiencing the same issues that I am when considering which type of media to use to archive video.

I have an enormous library of dvd videos that I am thinking about archiving to 500-1TB usb hard drives for storage reasons. As of now they are on dvd disks, but I could save a lot of space by copying them to some type of multimedia drive just for storage alone.

It seems I can put at least 100 videos on a 500 gig drive using the mp4 or mkv formats on high quality for just this purpose.

My question is does anyone have an opinion about this, I am concerned about the drives going bad and me losing much of my library. Is there another way that makes better sense for archiving video?

All suggestions will be taken seriously, Thanks.

[Silver.Band]

Faced a similar dilema. I needed a STABLE backup system for my WD Passport Usb Drive (attached to WD HDTV.)

This is what i am purchasing in a few days:

- Antec MX-100 3.5-Inch USB Aluminum Enclosure for SATA Hard Drive

- Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 32 MB Cache, SATA II WD10EADS

Amazon package deal: $115

I will only be using it to backup files from my primary USB drive. Then on the shelf it goes. Seems like a much more stable option than passports/mybooks/elements/lacies/etc.......

[ron spencer]

why waste your time converting? Hard drive space is super cheap now...just rip to ISO and be done with it, and 100% quality

[Silver.Band]

This topic is about storage, not ripping/encoding method. Sounds like from his comment about "100 movies on 500gb drive" means he/she is shooting for 5gb movies... which might very well be ISO format.

*EDIT - Regarding the prices of storage... Price means squat if your PRIMARY archival system fails. That's why it is rather difficult to decide which storage route to go (and god knows when 1tb ssd drives will be affordable.)

[ejai]

My concerns are wether it makes sense to back to a hard drive of is it better to use the disk format?

I've read so many disaster stories about using both methods, so I'm trying to make a rational decision. I prefer the hard disk method due to storage space. But is this really the best way to go?

I have at least 800 movies in my collection and most are on dvd. As I add more movies to my collection I would like to put them on a hard drive instead of disk to conserve space.

[Silver.Band]

Well, even dvdr's can fail/scratch/whatever and they definately take up space. A 100 disc binder can set you back $30 easy. So do some math:

800 movies at say.... 1 gb per movie = @170 dvdr's at .30 cents = $51
2 binders for your discs = $60

So your cost is already up to $111.00

Digital storage: 1tb hard drive storage storing 1gb movies = 1000 movies at a cost of @ $100 - $120. Minus the time/hassle of burning discs and wear and tear on your dvdr drive. Popcorn Hour, WDTV, Apple TV ready!

[ejai]

I will only be using it to backup files from my primary USB drive. Then on the shelf it goes. Seems like a much more stable option than passports/mybooks/elements/lacies/etc.......

Same here, I only want to use the drive for backup purposes, I was wondering if this was a sound way to go.

[ejai]

why waste your time converting? Hard drive space is super cheap now...just rip to ISO and be done with it, and 100% quality

I read that using the ISO format loses the original menu options. Is this true, or is this an optional thing.

[Silver.Band]

Well, after researching/reading reviews for a week, the above setup is the route I am going. Seems it is the most solid hardware I can find that is also affordable.

[ejai]

Well, after researching/reading reviews for a week, the above setup is the route I am going. Seems it is the most solid hardware I can find that is also affordable.

I guess I will be doing the same. Thanks for the help.

[stiltman]

I read that using the ISO format loses the original menu options. Is this true, or is this an optional thing.

If you are referring to the WDTV, yes the unaltered firmware just plays the movie. While this sounds good, take for instance, Star Wars. It will play the opening scrolling title for each language, like 10 seconds at a time. A real pain in the arse, and annoying

[ron spencer]

ISO format loses nothing in terms of menus....which are a waste of time anyway. I just backup my movies as movie only...so they play right away with no crap. Buy hard drives when on sale and do double backups if you are anal....but no need as you have the originals. I just keep my hard drives and get on sale. Make a media server...lots of fun. Don't convert to MKV, etc.

[ejai]

Buy hard drives when on sale and do double backups if you are anal....but no need as you have the originals. I just keep my hard drives and get on sale. Make a media server...lots of fun. Don't convert to MKV, etc.

Sounds like good advice, I didn't want to convert the files because I want the best quality possible.

[ron spencer]

It is a hoot of fun actually....ISO is just so ubiqutous that most media players will play them

[stiltman]

It is a hoot of fun actually....ISO is just so ubiqutous that most media players will play them

Except for the WDTV....no menu....screws up on multi-language angles (i.e. Star Wars intro)...no skipping to next chapter

[ejai]

It is a hoot of fun actually....ISO is just so ubiqutous that most media players will play them

Except for the WDTV....no menu....screws up on multi-language angles (i.e. Star Wars intro)...no skipping to next chapter

That was pretty stupid of WD not to give full menuing capabilities to the WDTV when it comes to playing ISO files. I use the Iomega Screenplay Pro to play those files.

[ron spencer]

Wdtv started out with much promise. Ended up a joke

[stiltman]

It's not a joke, it just can't play ISOs of DVDs with menus
It actually has great quality and supports HD encodes. It also has no problems playing very high it rate Xvids 5.5K plus and it doesn't choke like some others. I don't have many HD encodes, but of my SD DVDs at 5.5K with AC3, I like it a lot.

[Silver.Band]

I agree with stiltman. WD HDTV is no joke, it is a great piece of hardware. Lots of people are mad that WD slowed down on firmware updates (even though you can download a new beta firmware from their site.) They are however making the same mistake Creative is notorious for, re-hashing existing products. Zen, Zen X-fi, Zen MX, Zen MX SE, Zen X-fi 2. STOP THE MADNESS!

Why do we need the WDTV mini? For $20 more you can get the non-crippled WD HDTV. One other valid point to mention is that WD really doesn't have to make future firmware updates. You agreed to the product and its limitations when you purchased it.

[ejai]

I hope in future WD updates they add support for DVD menus and chapters. I like the product, but that is my only major issue. I've read several reviews on archiving to external hard drives and they are not favorable at all. Most articles describe hard drive failure at an all time high.

I prefer to use the hard drive but I'm wondering if dvd disks is a more logical way to go.

[stiltman]

I prefer to use the hard drive but I'm wondering if dvd disks is a more logical way to go.

300+ movies
DVD= 3 spindals that are 7 inch high. Having to sort through each spindal to find the movie you want
WDTV+HDD= 2 boxes less than 5in x 4in stacked. No having to sort through, no having to load into a player

DVDs don't seem that logical to me, now that WDTV and other products are on the market.

BTW, I use one HDD for playing and another is a mirror backup that doesn't get used for playing

[ejai]

DVDs don't seem that logical to me, now that WDTV and other products are on the market.

BTW, I use one HDD for playing and another is a mirror backup that doesn't get used for playing

I was considering the same approach, if I use one drive to play and the other for storage I should be ok. 8)

[Silver.Band]

Stiltman.... DITTO DITTO DITTO. Totally agree,

Ejai, like a Nike... Just do it! The advice we are giving is because we have been down that road before. You get to benefit from the advice without having to double up on research. I was petrified of HDD failure rates. The hardware I suggested seemed solid by hundreds of user comments. Using it as an occaisional backup that sits in storage, even better. There will always be a nightmare story from a small percentile as far as hardware goes. Cross your fingers and jump in.

P.S. Oh how much I hate DVD's with their forced movie trailers and menu systems. Not a spit bit of difference from forced VHS advertising/commercials. Stiltman, Leisure Suit Larry avatar? Remember when computer games had copy protection by having to answer a question from a page in the instruction manual??

Outtie, it's rum time.

[ejai]

Thanks for the advice, I have started the process.