Recordable DVD Recommendations

I would love to be able to recommend a specific brand of DVD for storing video; unfortunately it is not that easy.

Standardized tests that are available for DVD lifetimes are fundamentally flawed. These tests currently use extensive extrapolations based on relatively limited data points to produce misleading results. Furthermore, no manufacturer consistently tests every lot to ensure that actual production lifetimes match laboratory predictions.

Lifetime predictions for the newest technology, Blu-Ray DVDs, are equally difficult. These discs are proprietary and no standard test method exists.

CDs are a bit better in that the technology is better understood and the tests for predicting lifetimes are generally more reliable. Testing has shown that Gold phthalocyanine CDs, such as Creative Memories’ My Memory Archive CD, will last  longer. Unfortunately, these discs have relatively low capacity and are not intended for video applications.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding various technologies, the best strategy for preserving videos and other digital files is to not rely on any one solution. For example, my videos are currently stored on DVD, my hard disk, and YouTube. If one technology fails, I will still have the remaining copies.

More details on CDs and DVDs are available at A Consumer Guide to Recordable CDs and DVDs.

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