Recommendations for DVDs for archiving

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mrl

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I plan to start archiving my images/catalog on DVDs. I have never done this, and would welcome recommendations of brands and suggestions for avoiding pitfalls that I can't yet foresee.

Many thanks.
 
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Victoria Bampton;31'33 said:
I'd do dvd copy PLUS a hard drive copy myself.

I've always been pretty partial to the Verbatim ones made in the Taiyo Yuden factory (not all are). These are my usuals: DVD+R http://svp.co.uk/product/verbatim_dvd_r_16x_(taiyo_yuden)_(4355'_12)_verbati156 or DVD-R version too.

Don't write on them, even with CD Pens, as that can cause problems, and don't stick labels on as they can peel.

Store upright - I usually use these http://www.secol.co.uk/DS.SHTML
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I would second Victoria's recommendations, and add disc's made by MAM as well. I know that its good DAM practice to backup a set of images to DVD, but I find the convenience of multiple hard drives too easy to resist.

--Ken
 
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What's their archival quality like Victoria, like in 2' or 5' years? (or the full 7' if we're talking about copyright ownership :shock: )

I suppose it partly comes down to optimal archiving conditions like storage type, temperature, humidity etc, to minimise aging issues like oxidation.

Kodak professional grade media is guaranteed for 1'' years. Just wondering if it's worth shelling out 2' eur for a pack of 1' Kodak Gold dvds or 1' eur for a pack of 5' 'normal' dvds.

What are the pros & cons of vertical vs. horizontal storage? Especially as discs themselves are usually recorded/played back horizontally in most systems and upright storage could potentially introduce warp. I also suppose in this (and going from your link) that each disc would be individually sleeved - a good idea.
 
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The chapest backup medium (GB for Money) is a harddisk. Store it in a dry and cold place and it will last a quite long time. But never forget to copy the data regulary to new mediums. That's important for any digital storage like Floppys, harddisks and CDs/DVDs.
 
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Victoria Bampton;31'81 said:
Here's a handy reference: http://www.verbatim-europe.co.uk/includes/binary_details.php3?id=5'97

Vertical - apparently they're more likely to bend if stacked horizontally.

Verbatim - 1'' years again, I believe http://www.verbatim-europe.co.uk/en_1/binarydata_dvd-rgen-lifetime-pdf_457.PDF Not that I'm expecting to be testing them in 1'' years to find out....!
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Of course, you're assuming there will be a DVD drive that can read them in 1'' years! :cheesy:

How many of us have old data on 5.25" floppy disks? Even if you had the drive, a modern PC does not have the correct interface. You would need an 8''s vintage machine! The same goes for 3.5" floppies, Zip discs, etc. The point is, long-term storage of digital files on a single media is no longer realistic. Instead, your images will need to be transferred to modern media on a regular basis, depending on the pace of technology improvements. This in turn favors bulk storage instead of DVDs (who wants to transfer hundreds of DVDs to another new media?); the hard disk is actually a very attractive "short-term" storage medium, if kept in reasonably controlled conditions.

You could even argue that the true archive is the print! Isn't that the legacy that all great photographers have left behind? Do you really want someone else to get a hold of your files in the future and publish your work? George Jardine did an awesome podcast that touched on that subject - it was fascinating to hear the opinions of some of the best photographers of our time on this very issue. Highly recommended listening!
 
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Peter,

I tend to agree with you as all astronomical data of the sixties is already in jeopardy! Attempts were made to recover but old machines are near the scrap yard and interfaces are to be created. It was done on some but at a price!

I lived this situation as I had to do generation to generation of personnal data transfers over only 27 years! I still have 8 inches floppies but no means to use them any more but my data followed to 5.24 inches. For those, I still have the technology to read the 36'K formats and also the 9'K formats in the garage. But for the 9'K, I am not sure I can interface again... At least, those, as well as the information on audio tapes (before disks) is still available to me because I took care to rewrite, rewrite and rewrite with the changing technology.

With K3 inks promising up to 2'' years (conditions apply), what medium shall we use?... Add to it that the number of images to store on the planet is going to outnumber the number of sand grains in the galaxy and...

... like Victoria, I may prefer to die before then. :mrgreen:

EDIT: By the way, there is the tendency of the matter to organize itself on one side and...the enthropy of the universe on the other side... Who will be the winner? Rendez-vous at the end of time. ;)
 
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Kiwigeoff;31'83 said:
What if you're bent anyway?????
You mean there will need to be another LR Queen then ?????:lol::lol:
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Geoff,

I think that being "upside down" for too long has gotten to you. There is, and always will be, only ONE Lightroom Queen! :cheesy:

--Ken (who desparately need some quality holiday time in the beautiful land of the "upside down")
 
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Replytoken said:
Geoff,

I think that being "upside down" for too long has gotten to you. There is, and always will be, only ONE Lightroom Queen! :cheesy:

--Ken (who desparately need some quality holiday time in the beautiful land of the "upside down")
Click to expand...

:cheesy::cheesy::cheesy::shock::shock::shock::lol::lol::lol:;);)
 
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Some good stuff in this thread - sorry I didn't reply sooner but thanks for the responses Victoria et al.

I suppose we're just anally retentive :shock: about "the best way" to guarantee longevity of our legacy. :lol:

One thing's for sure 1'' years is a long long aul time. Think for a moment - portable photography, aka the 35mm format and standard that stills photography is measured against today (thank Oskar Barnack for that), is not even 1'' years old. And see the unimaginable changes it's gone through since it's beginning. Crumbs chief.
 
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