Durability of DVD media

[carlmart]

Since two years ago I have started replacing all my regular DVD videos with MKV versions of the same, if available. I think MKV is a very good compromise for HD video, infintely better than avi was to vob compression.

One concern I was mentioned, though, was that DVDs, particularly DL types, degraded with time and eventually made files unplayable.

Is that true?

I know, from reading it here, that Verbatim DVD+R was type to go for in DLs, and Verbatim has also become my brand of choice for SL discs too. Verbatim DLs not yet, because they are very rare in Brazil and when so they're incredibly expensive.

Buying in bulk from abroad is prohibitive in shipping expenses, and also in eventual custom taxes. So I will have to rely on eventual trips to other countries where Verbatim DLs are available and affordable.

Pity Verbatim or Falcon DLs (good media too apparently) are not sold on eBay.

So what about durability in general for DVDs, particularly those with mkv files? Why would mkv files be worst, if they are, to endure time as "regular" DVDs? What should I expect?

Until now I only had some problems with some DVD RWs, which I eventually used for some tasks, never essential.

Besides using ImgBurn always and protecting from direct sunlight, is there anything else I should do?

[Moontrash]

I've been using Verbatim media since the start. 8 or 9 years and they still read without any issues. (I use all other brabds also but Verbatim's seem to with-stand the test of time...so far.)

just keep them at room temperature and out of direct sunlight and you'll be fine.

[jman98]

Since two years ago I have started replacing all my regular DVD videos with MKV versions of the same, if available. I think MKV is a very good compromise for HD video, infintely better than avi was to vob compression.

This statement is debatable. With proper settings and a high enough bit rate Xvid/Divx is perfectly capable of truly excellent quality output, although H.264 can provide similar quality in smaller bit rates.

Anyway, nobody really knows how long consumer burnable DVDs will last because they haven't been around long enough. Moontrash's suggestions are good and they're what I do too. If you're really paranoid about longevity, DL discs may not (or may - we don't know yet because they have been around even less time than DVD+/-R discs) last as long as single layer DVD+/-R discs. IF you don't feel like taking a risk, then use only single layer discs.

I use Verbatim too and the quality is great, but please be aware that in North America and possibly other places they are selling a "Life" series of discs made by lower quality manufacturers. For Verbatim, I recommend that people buy the DataLifePlus series of discs (only sold online) because those are still top quality. If you buy Verbatim discs in stores I suggest avoiding DVDs made in China and India, although both locations are OK for CD-R media.

[jimdagys]

One could do a test, but I think a DVD cannot survive more than 10 minutes in direct noon time sun.

[carlmart]

Using dark or at least tinted jewell boxes should help a lot in cutting sun light.

Also being stored along with other discs, vertically if possible to avoid weight pressure, the chance of getting any light at all is less than minimal.

[Kerry56]

I've had Verbatim single layer disks fail, but it is not all that common. Perhaps one or two out of thousands. I don't believe I've had a complete failure with Taiyo Yuden 8x +R disks or TY cds.

I recently went through a random selection of my double layer dvds (all Verbatim MKM 001, burned at 4x speed). I had two complete failures out of the ten and another that was very poor. The oldest of them probably dates back to 2006 or so. All were stored properly and burned with good drives...a Pioneer 111L, Pioneer 215, Optiarc 7240 and Samsung SH-S203b. So even the best of the double layer dvds are not bullet proof.

[jimdagys]

two complete failures out of the ten and another that was very poor.

30% failure rate, not bad. Banks could use that method to back up their accounts.

[lordsmurf]

. The oldest of them probably dates back to 2006 or so. All were stored properly and burned with good drives...a Pioneer 111L, Pioneer 215, Optiarc 7240 and Samsung SH-S203b. So even the best of the double layer dvds are not bullet proof.

Yes, that's great and all...

... but did you ever test them to begin with?
99.99% of people who claim data disappeared or discs died never tested.

It's hard to go bad when it's ALWAYS been bad media. And from a science approach, that's most likely.

[Kerry56]

Yes, I tested them back then. I was, at the time, more inclined to believe there was some validity to the quality tests you can run with dvd burners than I am now. Surely you remember the quality test mania at CDFreaks back then. None of the DL disks failed to play back a TRT scan well when first burned, and none were below 90 on the Nero CD/DVD Speed quality test. Can't say that I remember exact PIE and PIF numbers however.

The ones that failed were lost for good. ISOBuster simply laughed in my face when I tried to extract any data from them. The other one could be read, but with severe slowdowns.

[Kerry56]

Ha, I just realized...I'm one of the .01%! Too bad its on optical media and not total wealth.

I love imaginary stats by the way lordSmurf. Keep em up.