(techie vanity) FReeper views on most durable CD-R recording material?

1/27/04 | marty fierro

[martin_fierro]

Hi all;

After reading/hearing various opinions on the reliability of various CD-R recording materials ("the blue cyanine-coated CD-Rs are the least reliable, while the silver- and gold-colored CD-Rs are most reliable"), I wanted to hear whether any FReepers were knowledgeable about this.

I'm archiving family photos and music onto CD-R and want to use the most durable medium, if any difference exists.

[martin_fierro]

Thanks in advance.

[Johnny Gage]

I'm not a "technie" when it comes from this but here's my experience:

BLUE - never used

GOLD - 74 minute ones worked flawlessly in every CD player I've used.

Silver - 80 minute ones only played in about 1/2 of the players I tried them in.


I've only burned about a dozen, so I'm not an expert by any means.

[LibKill]

I'm interested as well. Bump.

[NonValueAdded]

It doesn't really matter. 2 Gb DVD will be pervasive within a few years. Meanwhile, the CD's are so cheap you can make several copies to reduce your chance of short-term loss. Come 10 or 12 years from now, you probably couldn't find a device to read them You will have transferred them long before you have to worry about deterioriation. For example, I have some 5.25 inch floppies and can't find a drive to read them anywhere.

[EuroFrog]

FrogMom and I were just talking about this on the phone the other day. She said something about the CD's only having an average 6 year shelf life, and recommended storing all of my family photos on DVD.

Not sure where she got that info but since she is my mother I trust her totally.

[martin_fierro]

For example, I have some 5.25 inch floppies and can't find a drive to read them anywhere.

I can sell you one. High-density, even. <|:)~

[Tijeras_Slim]

I use these. You can count how many years your data will last.

[NonValueAdded]

See the following articles:

What is the shelf-life of a CD-ROM?

CD-Recordable discs unreadable in less than two years

Topic: CD-Rs have shelf life?

It DOES look like there is an issue so my previous comment needs rethinking. It sounds like an annual refresh program is necessary to ensure the integrity of your valuable archives. And don't forget to keep the technology current.

[martin_fierro]

Now, this is some durable-assed media.

[ZGuy]

After much research on the subject, comparing spec sheets from every manufacturer, our corporate archive uses Mitsui Archival Gold CD-Rs

But NVA is correct. The viability of your files is much more dependent upon the life expectancy of the access system. Today's high-quality media will most likely far outlast the capability of systems to retrieve and interpret the data stored on them. If your files are valuable, you must be prepared to migrate your valuable data to future generations of the technology (both hardware and software).

[Tijeras_Slim]

Sweet!

[Brett66]

I have an old legacy system I built with Windows 98 on it just for the purpose of running old DOS games, etc.

I had to have a system that could run the old X-COM game I have. :)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the link

Top Quality stuff!!!!!

100 years...wow!

	The Longest Lived Recordable Media Available

The MAM Archive CD-R is a high performance recordable disc, providing longevity and durability far in excess of conventional CD-R. Every MAM Archive disc uses robust GoId-on-Gold® construction to provide the maximum resistance to environmental degradation. Long-term applications such as backfile conversion, e-mail archiving and storage of classified correspondence can benefit from the Archive CD-R's strict quality control and patented Phthalocyanine dye (tha-lo-cy-a-neen) formula which offers storage life well in excess of 100 years.  There is not a more stable, more reliable media for long term storage available today.  (Only paper lasts longer)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

MITSUI MAM-A 20110

Home> Optical, CDR and DVD> MITSUI_MAM-A> 20110

MITSUI MAM-A #20110
CDR, 74 MIN, 24X, BRANDED, GOLD, ARCHIVE, WITH JEWEL CASE, 25/PACK

	w/ $75 order	w/ $200 order	w/ $1000 order
1/Pkg	42.78	39.73	36.67

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From:

InTime - Fairhaven, MN

[boris]

Go to Golden Hawk and read their FAQ.

[boris]

Here, I'll post their comment:

Q: What CD-R blank media should I buy?

A: "We only recommend Mitsui, Philips, Kodak, and TDK brand discs. Many people have reported problems with Maxell, Verbatim, and other "cheaper" discs. You can purchase Mitsui discs from "www.mediastore.com" (we are not associated with this company other than we purchase blank discs from them)."