Archiving VHS Tape

[mts37]

I was researching methods of transferring 8mm film (I currently am transferring old VHS home videos to DVD) to DVD and came across the following website:

http://www.film-to-video.com

This guy seemed to say that archiving to DVD is the WORST thing ever and that DVD does not last long at all, (he says 5-6 years????) which is contrary to everything I know. I'm not sure if what he is saying applies ONLY to transferring 8mm film to DVD or applies to transferring ANYTHING to DVD. I was hoping someone could look at the crap he says on his site (click on his "tutorial" link at the bottom of the page) and explain if he is right or wrong. All I want is to archive my old home videos on VHS (and eventually 8mm film) to a long lasting medium which will give me really good quality. I currently have a VHS/DVD recorder combo unit that I have started recording my VHS tapes to DVD with and I don't want to continue if there is a better quality option for the same amount of money. Thanks for any info provided!!

[MOVIEGEEK]

The author makes a claim that DVDR only last 2-5 years but DVD longevity depends on several factors:
1.Media quality
2.Media type
3.Writer quality
4.How the DVD is stored(ie away from heat and moisture)
5.Labeling(do not use adhesive labels)
As for long term archival storage I would make a DVD,store the video on HDD and VHS...that way it's future proof.
http://www.clir.org/PUBS/reports/pub121/sec4.html
http://adterrasperaspera.com/blog/2006/10/30/how-to-choose-cddvd-archival-media/

[trhouse]

If you feel uncomfortable with the longevity of dvd, you can always makes new copies in five years or whatever length of time makes you feel comfortable. Dvd copies are exact bit for bit copies with no generation loss unlike VHS.

[thecoalman]

Do a search for "disc rot" , nobody has invented a 100% secure method of storing digital files yet. The jury is still out on the longevity of DVD's but I think it's inevitable that they will fail at some point in time. It's not a if but when.

The best medium is multiple copies on different types. My preferred method is DV tape and another copy on external HDD. The DV tape is stored elsewhere and the external HDD locally in case I need quick access to it.

The other issue is MPEG is a highly compressed format and creates atifacts, although these are fine atifacts at high bitrates. Nonetheless these atifacts may be replacing fine details. Using a lightly compressed format is preferable for future use, add to that no one knows what the future holds for video, filters and other things will only get better in time. Having the highest quality video possible for a source is the best bet.

Edit: Now that I've read the page... I'm as confused as you. The author doesn't write very well abd appears to have some of his facts wrong, or at least mixing them up.

Dirty Little Secret #5:
DVDs can NOT be copied to other "digital formats' without "digital artifacts".

Transfer mills let you think that because DVD is "digital" it can be transferred to other digital formats without loss. BIG WHOPPING WHOPPER LIE.

MPEG2 compression means you've already lost much of your original film - making the transition to another media can make that loss worse!

That's probably the most glaring example, he starts off with formats which makes his statement true but ends it with media which wouldn't be true. Converting between any format is always a lossy process but copying a disc to another form of media whatever it may be is a lossless exact duplicate of what's on the DVD. You could make a million if you wanted and providing the file doesn't become corrupted the millioth copy would be the same as the original.